This week, I posted on my personal Facebook page on Amazon's Prime Day:
I don't post frequently enough anymore, so if this makes me seem judgy or I arrogant, I'm sorry! I understand the appeal of Amazon for everything they offer, convenience & prices etc. But honestly, Amazon 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻 is the worst.
Here is the statistic I was sharing along with this comment: "During the pandemic, Jeff Bezos became $97 billion richer by increasing prices by up to 1,000% on essential items and denying hazard pay and paid sick leave to over 450,000 of his workers." (ref.)
A thoughtful friend commented with honesty,
"Could you share some more of your insights about Amazon. I don’t disagree that their model is terrible but I also haven’t been convinced enough to forgo the crazy convenience of it.
Here is the response I posted. I really had no intention to share this here! But, several friends sent me messages afterwards, and I thought this might strike a similar chord with you. It's not a research paper; just a conversation between friends.
Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn, NY during the American Booksellers Association's #BoxedOut campaign (during Prime Week); photos via Greenlight's Facebook page
Thanks for all the information and sharing your chat with friends. I have always preferred to buy locally where I could…. Kantha blankets aren’t local here 😘….. I was not personally aware of Amazon’s treatment to their employees or the price increase for essentials being shipped!! I have forwarded this for my kids to read as well. I am very proud of you for everything you are doing to improve carbon footprint and fair treatment for all.
Thank you, Shelley! You put into words my long held opinion. Thank you for solidifying my opinion with some facts.
This season for dignify has challenged us with waiting. Blankets have been leaving our hands at the fastest pace ever (yay!) and we are trying to simply keep up. Add extra inconveniences & delays (from COVID, from customs checks, and more), and we have been really exercising our muscles in patience, trust, and gratitude.
Culturally, we are in a stage of waiting, as well. Waiting for vaccine rollout. Waiting for "normal" opportunities to return, for "normal" life to resume in our cities, our nations.
Looking back at some photos from last Christmas, I came across this screenshot from my phone that really made me laugh:
My husband was dropping off our parcels recently, and a woman working in our shipper's office said, "I was looking at your site, and I think I might buy some of these blankets this year as gifts; I'm mostly shopping online." Another employee chimed in, "I'm going to do all of my shopping online, too."
That evening, he went with our kids to the mall to pick something up (masked, natch), and as he surveyed the hallways — with some permanently closed stores, some shuttered from lack of employees, etc. — Wayne's thought was, "I think I need to do all my shopping at the mall!"
Rebecca Gafuik
November 28, 2020
I would prefer not to shop at Amazon at all and I do try to find what I’m looking for at a smaller store but sometimes there are certain items I just can’t find anywhere else. Thanks for sharing and giving me more reason to be careful where I shop.