04-11-2018, 07:16 AM | #61 | |
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It is only when those algorithms cause embarrassment, or clearly indicate that something is wrong is when they truly look into any 'whys'; and even then, it is likely only to make sure the system is working the way they want it to work. As a consumer, I think that sucks! But, I have to admit, as a retired database manager, that is the course I would likely recommend from a business perspective. As a KU subscriber and a prime subscriber, I make an occasional media purchase. Along with almost 100% of by books are bought for my Kindle enabled devices, I think I spend a lot of money at Amazon; but let's be honest, individually, they won't even notice when I'm gone! Even missing a few hundred people like me is statistically irrelevant. Last edited by GlenBarrington; 04-11-2018 at 07:26 AM. |
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04-11-2018, 07:38 AM | #62 | |
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04-11-2018, 07:45 AM | #63 | |
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04-11-2018, 10:02 AM | #64 | |
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04-11-2018, 01:28 PM | #65 | |
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There is usually a specific regulatory agency that has oversight of this domain. In this case, I think it is the FTC. For them to investigate, they will need to receive some threshold of customer complaints. Another way is through the court system. If someone manages to bring a lawsuit against amazon for this problem and actually win, the verdict will represent a legal baseline for future behavior of companies in this context. More likely, Amazon will find a way to dismiss these suits or settle. Occasionally, the consumer can win: This has happened in EU before - see https://the-digital-reader.com/2016/...ital+Reader%29 It is also possible for the government to pass some bills that define/modify laws that apply to this domain - usually this takes significant lobbying efforts. The result usually means the corresponding regulatory agencies will evaluate whether the businesses adhere to these laws after they become applicable. Last edited by gimble; 04-11-2018 at 01:33 PM. |
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04-11-2018, 06:49 PM | #66 | |
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I'm not sure how common this is in the US which seems to be a little less anti-business when it comes to consumer protection. But in other countries this is certainly not unknown. Last edited by darryl; 04-11-2018 at 06:52 PM. |
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04-11-2018, 08:02 PM | #67 | ||
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The great majority of the bad press Amazon lately gets, in the US, comes when the nation's chief magistrate attacks the company and its founder. Anything Mr. Bezos would do to try to fix this would alienate half the country, either the left or the right. So ignoring the real problem may be the best way to minimize it. As far as customer service glitches are concerned, it may be inevitable that, as a company gets bigger, it has to hire so many employees that they can't be a fussy as before. This definitely happened with WalMart, and people who shop physical stores still shop there. If someone is already inclined to dislike Amazon because of political dynamics, I don't know that the best customer service possible, from a very large discount retailer, is going to please them regardless. Quote:
I apologize if this should be in the Politics and Religion section. But it seemed to me that this thread was ignoring the main Amazon issue. If someone wants to take it up there, that's fine with me. |
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04-11-2018, 08:44 PM | #68 | |
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04-11-2018, 08:44 PM | #69 | |
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Besides... I disagree entirely that that's the "main issue" here. There's plenty of non-political/non-partisan meat on this particular bone to gnaw on. No one was ignoring anything. Last edited by DiapDealer; 04-11-2018 at 08:56 PM. |
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04-12-2018, 02:27 AM | #70 | |
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04-12-2018, 04:56 AM | #71 |
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Thank you Gimble and Darryl, now I see what you mean, my notion of government intervention was different, when I first read “government intervention” I was thinking that it meant the government would simply declare that the company couldn’t do that and order them to do this instead, which didn’t make much sense to me as it surely would be against some laws and this make me think of a dictatorship not a democracy.
How you explained makes perfect sense, the government agencies or departments would work to change the regulations or laws. |
04-12-2018, 08:22 AM | #72 | |
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04-12-2018, 01:34 PM | #73 |
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But then that screams for government intervention and consumer protections, which we, in the US, really don’t have. Regulations. It’s not just for breakfast anymore.
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04-12-2018, 03:19 PM | #74 | |
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If people don't understand they can lose access to their online content/purchases at just about any time, then they're not paying attention. They're at least partially to blame. People have to take a little responsibility for themselves. Mom's not going to hold our hands our entire lives. Make informed decisions about what digital industries you (rhetorical you) are going to embrace and/or commit to. There's no obligation to buy ebooks under the current terms and conditions. There's still paper books for those who can't accept the terms under which their digital purchases are being made. I wish digital purchasing/licensing was different. And if consumers band together and force people (the industry or gov't) to make it so--great! More power to them. But I don't think we're at the point where gov't needs to step in on their own. No one's being unjustly abused in my eyes. Last edited by DiapDealer; 04-12-2018 at 05:20 PM. |
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04-12-2018, 07:36 PM | #75 |
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@DiapDealer. I also don't think Government needs to step in at the moment. When they do they usually get it wrong at great costs to taxpayers. But Amazon should realise that there is a very good reason why some industries choose to self-regulate. Cancelling accounts without notice or explanation, no matter how justified it may be, is not a good look.
And it is not Mom who wants to hold our hands and protect us from ourselves. It's Nanny, who is alive and well in many governments throughout the world. Amazon now has significant operations in many jurisdictions that are to lesser or greater degrees so-called Nanny states. Australia is not the worst of them, but I expect such conduct by Amazon in Australia would result in complaints to the various consumer protection departments, usually followed by a trip to one of the various tribunals charged with administering the various consumer protection laws. These departments report annually to Parliament. Both the Departments and the Tribunals would be scathing about cancellation of accounts without notice and refusing to give reasons. Many businesses hate these tribunals. In some lawyers are prohibited, and there are no order for costs. Often businesses must send their people physically on a number of occasions to defend a matter. The costs of a business doing so are substantial. Compensation can and often is awarded against businesses. And I suspect Europe for one is as bad or likely even worse. Though I should also point out that, whilst this system can be very unfair to businesses, often these businesses have only themselves to blame. Amazon is going to have to deal with this type of system outside the US, and will have to develop procedures to do so. If they are wise they should be regulating their own conduct lest such systems become the norm in the US as well. Last edited by darryl; 04-12-2018 at 07:39 PM. |
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