"Amazon shifted gears so that it now litters its storefront with pay-to-play advertisements. In addition to overcharging its customers, Amazon is degrading the services it provides them."
As someone in Asia where Amazon is trying to break through the market with stiff ecommerce incumbents, Amazon is great. And more importantly, they know they have no real value selling the generic Chinese stuff that has infiltrated US Amazon, so the amount of that is a lot less. The Chinese stuff on Amazon tends to be from the better companies that have tried to brand themselves and sell decent products (think Anker at the start), otherwise it's usually products from established brands. If I wanted cheap Chinese stuff I have way better and cheaper avenues.
How long has Amazon been operating in your market? Their MO is capturing a customer base with low prices and good service, followed by capturing sellers by offering them access to said customer base. After having locked everyone in their last step is to extract all possible value from both groups. Their playbook is creating a chokepoint to force themselves upon everyone for trade.
Competition is far fiercer here, they have to contend with Alibaba-backed platforms as well. I also have access to Taobao. It's not going to be as straightforward as it is in the USA.
I believe you, but the ultimate goal for all of those platforms is monopoly, looking at their track record. Like Peter Thiel said, competition is for losers.
I'm really not sure why you're arguing with me, and where you're going with this? I feel like you expect me to denounce Amazon and give up all ecommerce platforms, is that what you expect me to do?
Geez, what crawled up your ass and died? No need for hostility, I am simply expressing my thoughts. Do whatever the fuck you want, I’d take advantage of the honeymoon phase and drop them like a hot sack of shit once the find out stage begins.
I've never once had an issue with an Amazon refund or return in the US besides forgetting to mail my return back, and I use shopping to self medicate my depression.
It may not be the most financially responsible thing, but sometimes I just don't give a damn because it helps to do something nice for yourself.
Did I need to buy my PS5 without saving for it? Probably not. Do I regret it over a year later? Not even a little. It made me happy to buy it, it makes me happy to play it, and I would do it again if given the choice