I think the difference is that in one case I am dealing with Walmart (or whoever) and I don't care what they make as long as I get the promised services in retu

I think the difference is that in one case I am dealing with Walmart (or whoever) and I don't care what they make as long as I get the promised services in return for that money. OTOH, on Patreon the messaging is that you are paying the creator, so I am kinda dealing with the creator with Patreon as the intermediary, and when it says I pledge $1, it feels like I am paying the creator $1 for their service.