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AmazonZilla

By Kelly Faircloth 2/12 10:25am

AmazonZilla

Now is the part where I throw my head back and laugh. (Photo: flickr.com/oreilly)

And the Most Respected Corporation In America Is… Amazon?

It appears that people just really, really love deep discounts and free shipping. Wired reports that, according to a new Harris Interactive poll, Amazon is actually the number-one most respected company in America. Apple, Disney, Google (?!) and Johnson & Johnson made up the rest of the top five.

Amazon apparently “trounced” Disney in the category of emotional appeal, which makes us wonder whether everyone has just forgotten how much we all cried during the movie Dumbo.

Even the people who ran the poll sound astounded that Amazon took home the top prize:  Read More

By Kelly Faircloth 6/27/12 8:55am

AmazonZilla

No way do we want Mr. Met in our bedroom. (Photo: Amazon)

Small Retailers Realize Amazon Probably Has Its Own Agenda

Amazon’s marketplace for third-party sellers can provide a major distribution boost for small retailers. But, as the Wall Street Journal outlines today, selling through the ecommerce goliath comes with a cost. Some retailers are claiming that Amazon basically uses the platform as means of figuring out what to sell and how much it should cost.

Shocker: The Internet’s very own Wal-Mart isn’t wholly a friend to the little guy. Color us dumbfounded.

For example, one small retailer started selling plush NFL mascots (adorably dubbed “Pillow Pets”) in the marketplace. They were doing a pretty good business, until Amazon started stocking them at the same price, and as a featured product.

“I tried lowering the prices, but Amazon would always match my price or go lower until I eventually gave up” competing on price, says the owner. Yeah, out-cost-cutting Amazon probably isn’t going to work.  Read More