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When Amazon completely dominates the online market and all its aspects, wouldn't it be in a GREAT position to charge customers much much more? Would it still ne

When Amazon completely dominates the online market and all its aspects, wouldn't it be in a GREAT position to charge customers much much more? Would it still need to be "competitive"?

ProAm 9y ago
This is what they did to all the prices on Amazon. Started cheap or at a loss and now prices are equal to or more expensive than going to a normal store.
- overcast 9y ago
  Examples? Certainly nothing I purchase regularly is cheaper in a store. Especially considering the inconvenience of a store, and 5% cashback on everything.
  - mrguyorama 9y ago
    Specifically, a package of 3 bars of Cetaphil soap in my local walmart is less than 10$ to walk out the door with. Compare that to prices on amazon that range from the same price as in store, to over $20 with shipping excluded! Another example, this time a slightly more bulk item, is ramen noodles [0]. They are around 20 cents a noodle in local stores, while amazon lists them around 50 cents per noodle (even in large 36 packs) [0] https://www.amazon.com/Maruchan-chicken-noodle-soup-pack/dp/B00MHBX8AE/ref=sr_1_17_s_it?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1518203407&sr=1-17&keywords=ramen https://www.amazon.com/Maruchan-chicken-noodle-soup-pack/dp/...
    - overcast 9y ago
      Oh, I don't buy day to day grocery store stuff on Amazon.
      - mrguyorama 9y ago
        I was keying off of your "purchase regularly" comment. Either way, the only products that amazon seems to offer at a reasonably competitive price, factoring in shipping, is amazon basics items, and that's because they can do to the supply chain the same thing walmart did.
        overcast 9y ago
        Eh. Books, water filters, video games, camera lenses/filters, bags, lawn fertilizer, shoes, movies. All of that stuff is definitely cheaper on amazon than anywhere else. Big ticket items especially. Factor in 5% back, and you get most of your tax, or straight up 5% off tax free items. Can't really beat 2day prime shipping, and no hassle returns.
        astura 9y ago
        When was the last time you actually comparison shopped? I don't find Amazon's prices to be particularly great in those categories, more than "average to poor." Your "free two day shipping" isn't free, it's prepaid. For electronics, for example, I find that Newegg provides much better service and lightning fast shipping at compatible prices. Also "stores" deliver too (target.com, walmart.com, bestbuy.com, etc).
        overcast 9y ago
        I comparison shop EVERY item I purchase. I used to be a hardcore shopper on Newegg, Amazon will consistently beat them. Newegg went down that messy third party route, and it's been a disaster ever since. The shipping is hit or miss, Shoprunner is rarely supported since they began offering their version of prime, whatever it's called. I have "Keepa" notifiers on everything, and catch lightning/warehouse/price drops on everything. I'm definitely not going to go digging around Walmart/Target daily for $5 BluRay titles.
  - allenu 9y ago
    A PS4 1TB Slim is $320 right now. Target has it for $300. During the holidays, they and retailers sold it for $250. After the holidays, I watched slowly as the price started rising each week. Retailers jumped back up to $300, but Amazon was at $270, then $290, and now strangely $320.
    - overcast 9y ago
      As always, shop around. Amazon usually wins out for me.

When Amazon completely dominates the online market and all its aspects, wouldn't it be in a GREAT position to charge customers much much more? Would it still need to be "competitive"?

ProAm 9y ago

This is what they did to all the prices on Amazon. Started cheap or at a loss and now prices are equal to or more expensive than going to a normal store.

overcast 9y ago
Examples? Certainly nothing I purchase regularly is cheaper in a store. Especially considering the inconvenience of a store, and 5% cashback on everything.
- mrguyorama 9y ago
  Specifically, a package of 3 bars of Cetaphil soap in my local walmart is less than 10$ to walk out the door with. Compare that to prices on amazon that range from the same price as in store, to over $20 with shipping excluded! Another example, this time a slightly more bulk item, is ramen noodles [0]. They are around 20 cents a noodle in local stores, while amazon lists them around 50 cents per noodle (even in large 36 packs) [0] https://www.amazon.com/Maruchan-chicken-noodle-soup-pack/dp/B00MHBX8AE/ref=sr_1_17_s_it?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1518203407&sr=1-17&keywords=ramen https://www.amazon.com/Maruchan-chicken-noodle-soup-pack/dp/...
  - overcast 9y ago
    Oh, I don't buy day to day grocery store stuff on Amazon.
    - mrguyorama 9y ago
      I was keying off of your "purchase regularly" comment. Either way, the only products that amazon seems to offer at a reasonably competitive price, factoring in shipping, is amazon basics items, and that's because they can do to the supply chain the same thing walmart did.
      - overcast 9y ago
        Eh. Books, water filters, video games, camera lenses/filters, bags, lawn fertilizer, shoes, movies. All of that stuff is definitely cheaper on amazon than anywhere else. Big ticket items especially. Factor in 5% back, and you get most of your tax, or straight up 5% off tax free items. Can't really beat 2day prime shipping, and no hassle returns.
        astura 9y ago
        When was the last time you actually comparison shopped? I don't find Amazon's prices to be particularly great in those categories, more than "average to poor." Your "free two day shipping" isn't free, it's prepaid. For electronics, for example, I find that Newegg provides much better service and lightning fast shipping at compatible prices. Also "stores" deliver too (target.com, walmart.com, bestbuy.com, etc).
        overcast 9y ago
        I comparison shop EVERY item I purchase. I used to be a hardcore shopper on Newegg, Amazon will consistently beat them. Newegg went down that messy third party route, and it's been a disaster ever since. The shipping is hit or miss, Shoprunner is rarely supported since they began offering their version of prime, whatever it's called. I have "Keepa" notifiers on everything, and catch lightning/warehouse/price drops on everything. I'm definitely not going to go digging around Walmart/Target daily for $5 BluRay titles.
- allenu 9y ago
  A PS4 1TB Slim is $320 right now. Target has it for $300. During the holidays, they and retailers sold it for $250. After the holidays, I watched slowly as the price started rising each week. Retailers jumped back up to $300, but Amazon was at $270, then $290, and now strangely $320.
  - overcast 9y ago
    As always, shop around. Amazon usually wins out for me.