EcomCrew - [Crew Review] “Virus of Amazon” strikes

Data and control

A Toronto resident was able to put high-ranking Amazon sellers out of business overnight. His technique? Hire Amazon employees to hijack listings and copy best-selling products.

What kind of brands is he targeting?

Lobbying Against Privacy

No one is above the law, not even Big Tech. But what if these companies have the ability to influence lawmakers to make sure that bills don’t affect their business negatively before they’re even passed?

This is exactly what Amazon allegedly did according to a Reuters report. The Canada-based media conglomerate looked at hundreds of internal documents and interviewed more than 70 lobbyists and policymakers as well as 10 former Amazon employees to get the data.

According to Reuters, internal documents reveal that Amazon has been gutting privacy-related legislation in 24 states for years. Apparently, they have a “lobbying and public-policy juggernaut” that employs around 250 people led by Jay Carney, who used to be President Obama’s press secretary.

Jay Carney || Source: CNBC

This Amazon “department” allegedly gives out political donations and unsolicited checks to lawmakers who have the ability to shut down or amend bills that can potentially restrict Amazon from collecting data from its users.

The result? Laws that don’t do much to protect consumers’ data.

Reuters reporters requested a copy of their own data from Amazon to see what the company has on them, much like what our very own Dave Bryant did. And just like Dave, they found Alexa recordings that included searches made by children as well as thousands of other information.

When asked to comment on the issue, Amazon said that the “story is flawed and includes reporting that relies on early, incomplete drafts of documents to draw incorrect conclusions,” insisting that the company doesn’t sell customers’ data.

They said that because of the data they gather, customers are able to get personalized services, which benefits consumers in the end.

Clearly, Amazon is non-apologetic about their data collection. What they’re trying to hide (allegedly) is the fact that they’re doing what they can to not let anything restrict that ability.

Because of the report, five members of Congress called for federal consumer-privacy legislation. We’ll see if it pushes through or if, just like before, Amazon can have its way even before the bill becomes a law.

Apple and Amazon Fined

In 2018, there was an agreement that allowed only selected resellers to sell Apple and Beats products on Amazon Italy. Three years later, Italy’s antitrust authority imposed around $228 million worth of fines, saying the agreement is against European Union Rules.

Amazon got the bigger penalty of $151 million, while Apple was fined $77.3 million.

The Italian Competition Authority says their arrangement is anti-competitive and ordered both companies to not discriminate against other resellers. But while the authorities are calling it antitrust violations, the two companies are calling it customer protection.

Amazon says by working closely with resellers, they are able to keep the counterfeits away, making sure they’re selling only genuine Apple products. They insist they did nothing wrong and will appeal against the fines.

Walmart’s Drone Delivery

While Amazon is still struggling to take flight, Walmart has started delivering selected goods within the 50-mile radius of Walmart’s Pea Ridge, Arkansas branch.

The retail giant has previously partnered with DroneUp, which makes these deliveries possible. However, since the project is still in its early stages, there are currently no promised delivery times. (But customers often get their packages in 50 to 30 minutes.)

The orders are lowered down on customers’ lawns through cables, a less challenging but safer alternative than having them directly fall off the sky. 

It seems like things are looking up for Walmart, as evidenced by its Q3 Earnings Report and the fact that more customers are going out again to shop in person. For those who are not ready to go out or are not feeling like it, its drone delivery system will come in handy when for some reason you need scotch tape or a pack of Starburst and you need it ASAP.

Online Shopping by Walmart

While we’re on the subject, Walmart has more than 30 livestreaming events in store for its customers in November and December, a move that will hopefully help them increase online sales.

Walmart will be the first retailer to test Twitter’s new livestreaming feature, and for this important event, they’ve invited Swalla singer Jason Derulo to kick off Cyber Week. The feature will allow a more seamless transaction so customers can immediately buy what they want straight from Twitter or from other platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Youtube, and Instagram.

Source: Walmart

They’re working towards upping the frequency of its live online event, but this isn’t Walmart’s only move to increase its online sales. They also have videos on Youtube and TikTok, knowing that this is where a lot of their customers hang out.

Social media is becoming the place for online selling, so if you haven’t worked with influencers before, it’s time to start looking into it. But make sure your sponsored ads are not against FTC’s guidelines.

Last Day for the Premium Waitlist

Tomorrow’s Black Friday, which means we’re opening EcomCrew Premium for the last time in 2021.

We already have a lot of people on our waitlist, a.k.a. those who get to enjoy 50% off all plans and the following Premium features:

• Unlimited 1-on-1 email support from Mike Jackness and Dave Bryant
• 7 full-length ecommerce courses that cover topics from importing to creating a 7-figure brand
• Monthly Secret Sauce webinars where you get to talk to different industry experts so you’re always a step ahead
• Monthly Q&A webinars where you can ask your questions live
• Access to the recordings of all past webinars
• Access to a very active and exclusive Facebook group

Today is your last chance to sign up for the waitlist and get the discount.

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