Ask HN: Anyone else quickly losing confidence in Amazon?

Article summary

The author has lost confidence in Amazon due to the prevalence of fake products, fake reviews, and poor quality items on the platform. They express frustration at the lack of a reporting mechanism for these issues and the difficulty in navigating the site to find trustworthy products. The author is considering stopping their shopping on Amazon after 15 years of loyal customer service. This experience has led the author to question the long-term viability of Amazon's business model.

Main themes

• Amazon's quality control
• fake products and reviews
• customer trust and satisfaction
• business model and priorities
• return policy and customer service
• alternative shopping options

What commenters say

• Some commenters believe that the issue is not with Amazon, but with the consumer's ability to make informed purchasing decisions.
• Others argue that Amazon's business model prioritizes profits over customer trust and satisfaction.
• A few commenters suggest that the problem is not unique to Amazon, but rather a result of the challenges of managing a large marketplace.
• Some argue that Amazon's return policy, while convenient, can be inflexible and unhelpful in certain situations.
• There is a perception that Amazon's quality has declined in recent years, with some attributing this to the company's growth and prioritization of short-term goals.
• A few commenters recommend using third-party tools or services to help identify fake reviews and products.
• Some believe that buying directly from OEMs or using alternative platforms like eBay or Alibaba can be a more reliable option.
• Others argue that Amazon's convenience and liberal return policy are still major advantages, despite the platform's flaws.