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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2011 > December > 08 > Entry
An open letter to Amazon.com
This just crossed my desk:
Dear Jeff Bezos,
We’re not shocked, just disappointed. Despite your company’s recent pledge to be a better corporate citizen and to obey the law and collect sales tax, you created a price-check app that allows shoppers to browse Main Street stores that do collect sales tax, scan a product, ask for expertise, and walk out empty-handed in order to buy on Amazon. We suppose we should be flattered that an online sales behemoth needs a Main Street retail showroom. Forgive us if we’re not. We could call your $5 bounty to app-users a cheesy marketing move and leave it at that. In fact, it is the latest in a series of steps to expand your market at the expense of cities and towns nationwide, stripping them of their unique character and the financial wherewithal to pay for essential needs like schools, fire and police departments, and libraries. But maybe we’ve misunderstood. Even though you’ve spent millions on lobbyists, fired affiliates in seven states, and threatened to shut warehouses to avoid collecting sales tax, maybe you really mean it now when you say you support a level playing field. It’s up to you to show us. In the meantime, indie retailers remain the heart of countless communities — offering discovery, energy, support, and unique experiences. See you on Main Street.
Sincerely,
Oren Teicher
CEO American Booksellers Association
www.bookweb.org
So the battle rages on. I’m a big fan of Amazon.com. On the other hand, I can see both sides of this argument…
Vick Mickunas
p.s. Follow me on Twitter: @BookNookVick
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: in the Amazone
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By mike
December 9, 2011 8:33 AM | Link to this
there are several apps like this out there, a lot of time you can walk into target/walmart and find out your paying $150.00 for something you pay $60.00 for online, so don’t get it lost in translation, this is a good thing. We are all tired of being ripped off by brick/mortar stores, online is no rude sales people that have no clue what they are talking about. Stores have done this to themselves. I still do some shopping at those stores, but I generally hate every last minute of it. 80%+ of brick/mortar store workers do not care, and have no knowledge to be helpful at all, what is the point in helping them?
By Dave
December 8, 2011 6:35 PM | Link to this
If I buy from Amazon, I may not have sales tax, but I have shipping costs and several days wait for the merchandise. So is Amazon having a special advantage, or is it just evening the playing field?