Live data from Hacker News

Amazon without the knockoffs

knockoff.shopping

111–120 of 273 posts

Re: Amazon without the knockoffs

#111

This says it's using AmazonBrandFilter's list of brands. Why would we use/support this chrome extension instead of the upstream one [1] which is actually doing the important maintanance task? "Knockoff" seems to be literally describing itself. [1] https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/amazonbrandfilter/m...

On top of that, it has a more restrictive license than AmazonBrandFilter. Given this appears to be a very simple AI project, why not just reimplement any missing functionality from AmazonBrandFilter into something under a free license? The most difficult to duplicate component is MIT.

Further, what on earth is the reason for FSL for such a trivial project? FSL immediately makes me assume this project is monetized in some way, yet it's not immediately presented what that is, which makes me suspicious of the whole project. Maybe that suspicion is unfounded, but it could be immediately cleared up with some explanation on the landing page.

Re: Amazon without the knockoffs

#112
I'd rather buy a cheap knockoff than pay top dollar for an equally bad branded product. Most "consumer-grade" stuff out there these days is garbage regardless of price or brand. Examples: mattresses, home appliances, furniture, audio devices, routers. If you need something durable or dependable, you need to buy enterprise-grade stuff or make your own.

Re: Amazon without the knockoffs

#113

Cuts two ways. Why should I pay $200 for a BigBrand dog bed if this knockoff site shows SHRDLU has the same thing for $40? We all know that BigBrand gets it from the same supplier. The real knockoff problem I see is that you buy what you think is BigBrand and get shipped Knockoff because someone is mingling inventory.

"BigBrand gets it from the same supplier" I don't think commerce (especially at Amazon) works the way you think it does. There is a very good chance that when you buy something at Amazon that says it's BigBrand ... it's just a knockoff. Or a fake that has infiltrated another part of Amazon's supply chain. There is big money in lying to customers through Amazon.

Depends what it is. I would trust Nike products from Dick's Sporting Goods physical store and from the Nike store online but not Amazon or any other online retailer. I'd be suspicious of perfume from (say) Giorgi Armani because rip-off artists have heard of it but who would rip off an boutique bland like Phlur?

Re: Amazon without the knockoffs

#114
post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In US, USPS (government snail mail) literally has program that allows you to send^W spam marketing mail: https://www.usps.com/business/every-door-direct-mail.htm

Do they make it up on volume or is postal workers just incredibly cheap?

They're forced to deliver it at a loss and then yelled at by congress when they fail to turn a profit. The system just works.

Re: Amazon without the knockoffs

#115
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That sounds really cheap, if you don't consider that you need to do all the shopping, you need to prepare all the food, and deal with probably a bunch of food waste.

This was actually tried. Cheaper and healthier https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRtoUoBgjDw

That video shows a person spending more than $34 on groceries and making exactly 1 burrito.

Re: Amazon without the knockoffs

#117
post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've had bad experiances trying this: - Return experience is TERRIBLE. I'm not kidding, with Amazon you've got one click to a QR code and a UPS store dropoff. Some of these mfgs you are jumping hoops for a week plus! And then have to box, buy a label, often pay for shipping and more. IF you can even get in touch with someone. - Shipping experience is TERRIBLE. How does FedEx stay in business? I'm serious - the expres…

Yeah, Amazon has disadvantages (counterfeits, fake reviews, more expensive) but its advantages (insane shipping speed/cost, strong return policy) are nearly impossible for competitors to compete with. The manufacturer is not going to offer same day delivery and no-questions-asked returns.

It's not unusual for many manufacturers to have an online store that is backed by AMZN anyway.

Re: Amazon without the knockoffs

#118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That sounds really cheap, if you don't consider that you need to do all the shopping, you need to prepare all the food, and deal with probably a bunch of food waste.

Are you someone who has the capability to be constantly making money any time you want to? If not and you just have a normal 9-5 job or something close to it, you have plenty of time to shop for an hour once a week, then spend 10-30 minutes a day making your own lunches and dinners and still come ahead financially -- way, way ahead. I have no idea where you're coming from with the "dealing with food waste" part so I'…

Are you someone who has the capability to create extra time in your day? If not and you just have a few hours of free time per day, you can choose to spend some of that free time cooking, or you can let someone else cook for you and use that time on other things you value more than saving $10 or whatever.

The strategy is dependent on what is more precious to you - time, or money. Telling someone they should spend their time to save $10 is pretty pointless if you don't know what their financial situation is and whether that $10 has any meaning.

Food waste is food that you buy which is not ultimately consumed , which increases your cost per meal. This might be trimmings, it might be something you burn, it might be leftovers you don't get to.

Re: Amazon without the knockoffs

#119
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That sounds really cheap, if you don't consider that you need to do all the shopping, you need to prepare all the food, and deal with probably a bunch of food waste.

This was actually tried. Cheaper and healthier https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRtoUoBgjDw

My point is it's cheap if you value your time at $0.

Re: Amazon without the knockoffs

#120
post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why not go down to your local independent pet store, keep your money local and support your neighbours instead of giving it to directors and shareholders sitting on beaches in French Polynesia?

How do you know the local independent pet store is not buying their inventory from a business with directors and shareholders sitting on beaches in French Polynesia?

even if that's the case, the local independent book store is still being supported by your patronage.
Post reply on HN