Amazon still isn't doing enough to stop bait-and-switch reviews • Hacker News Board

Re: Amazon still isn't doing enough to stop bait-and-switch reviews

#211

Post by tablespoon » Fri, Dec 17, 2021, 9:24 PM UTC

xvector wrote: post #207

tablespoon wrote: post #171

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Ubiquiti - wireless APs, PoE switches, and the nicest Ethernet cables I've ever used Haven't they been having issues recently?

What sort of issues? Security ones? That basically came down to a malicious engineer compromising their own infrastructure and then whistleblowing.

> What sort of issues? Security ones? That basically came down to a malicious engineer compromising their own infrastructure and then whistleblowing.

I don't know exactly. I believe they were trying to force cloud-signon for even locally managed devices, and since then I think I've picked up "used to be great" complaints that their quality and support is slipping (like they off-shored their engineering teams or something).

Re: Amazon still isn't doing enough to stop bait-and-switch reviews

#212

Post by noduerme » Fri, Dec 17, 2021, 9:45 PM UTC

derbOac wrote: post #130

noduerme wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I mean, that's kind of what I'm saying. It's hard for local stores to find consumer goods that aren't junk quality. Portland, Oregon where I live does have one of the better local economies for well sourced / locally produced stuff, e.g. we still have glass manufacturers, make a lot of shoes, and anything made out of wood, pretty much all your furnishings and most of your food you can buy from local makers and grower…

Regarding your last remark, and circling back to the main article: now the review market and culture is broken as well. Even when legitimate companies come on line, it's difficult to know about them because they don't get reviewed, and if they do, you never know if there's some financial conflict of interest, or if the reviews are legitimate, or what. If they do get reviewed, there's no follow-through to see if quali…

This, exactly. The massive flood of fake online reviews, not to mention the broken weighting systems that enhance the effect by grading products on a curve, has created a situation that's stacked against legitimate businesses. Not only are scammers filling their own products with fake positive reviews, they're also spamming real businesses with negative ones.

One of the weirdest things that happened to me this year: I received a book from Amazon I hadn't ordered. It was addressed to me at my house, apparently printed off an Amazon press in Poland, but listed by a "company" in Vietnam. It was called "Daily Business Plan" or something, with a generic stock photo on the cover. Inside, every page was the same - blank except for lined horizontal rules and the days of the week, Monday through Sunday. There were no dates, no year, no page numbers. No bibliographic page. I let Amazon know about it. I can only assume that the seller was trying some kind of scam to write "verified buyer" reviews for themselves...

Re: Amazon still isn't doing enough to stop bait-and-switch reviews

#213

Post by weeblewobble » Fri, Dec 17, 2021, 9:45 PM UTC

I agree it's a huge problem. However, I don't think the solution is censorship by tech oligarchs. A fake review is still speech, and if you believe in free speech and free expression as a social (not legal) principle, I don't see how you can support Jeff Bezos deciding which speech you are and are not allowed to see. The solution to harmful speech (which fake reviews are) is more speech, not censorship.

"I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to my death your right to mislead people with fake reviews"

Re: Amazon still isn't doing enough to stop bait-and-switch reviews

#214

Post by hakfoo » Fri, Dec 17, 2021, 10:19 PM UTC

leejo wrote: post #115

It feels like Amazon is at a place where eBay was about, what, a decade ago? At least from a shopper point of view. In other words it feels like you're overwhelmed by choice but much of that choice makes you feel uneasy. It seems to be full of dodgy sellers using questionable practices like those described in the post, the feedback (review) system is utterly broken, getting in touch with a real person is near impossi…

I suspect they don't do 3-D Secure because they're storing the cards on the first transaction.

Subsequent sales are marked "card on file" which is priced in its own way and often doesn't require the same info (for example, no CVV, but often also no 3-D Secure) I wonder if they're willing to eat the higher cost of a non-3-D Secure initial transaction for the appearance of frictionlessness? Or that their volume is so huge they can demand concessions for rates?

Re: Amazon still isn't doing enough to stop bait-and-switch reviews

#215

Post by MR4D » Fri, Dec 17, 2021, 10:50 PM UTC

antoniuschan99 wrote: post #181

MR4D wrote: post #180

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Amazon has no interest in fixing this problem I’d add the word “yet” to the end of this statement. Many people I know have started to buy from online places like Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Newegg, and B&H Photo when possible, and only use Amazon in a time crunch or when the product can’t be found in stock. I would encourage everyone who is frustrated by this Amazon problem to not only do the same, but also to encou…

Unfortunately Walmart, Best Buy, and New Egg have Marketplaces too now :(

True, but so far they are either better curated or just have less spam. B&H is my favorite as I believe it has only them as a seller.

Re: Amazon still isn't doing enough to stop bait-and-switch reviews

#216

Post by drdaeman » Fri, Dec 17, 2021, 11:27 PM UTC

tablespoon wrote: post #211

xvector wrote: post #207

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What sort of issues? Security ones? That basically came down to a malicious engineer compromising their own infrastructure and then whistleblowing.

> What sort of issues? Security ones? That basically came down to a malicious engineer compromising their own infrastructure and then whistleblowing. I don't know exactly. I believe they were trying to force cloud-signon for even locally managed devices, and since then I think I've picked up "used to be great" complaints that their quality and support is slipping (like they off-shored their engineering teams or somet…

They're kinda pushing for that (like every other tech business, sadly - and I get it, everyone wants to have that sweet subscription model cash flows), but you still have an option to run a local controller without any cloud nonsense, just have to click some small link beneath some form.

Re: Amazon still isn't doing enough to stop bait-and-switch reviews

#217

Post by technothrasher » Sat, Dec 18, 2021, 2:07 AM UTC

xvector wrote: post #205

technothrasher wrote: post #161

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> B&H - general electronics, tax-free B&H has been collecting sales tax for about two years now. Still a great place to get electronics from though.

If you get their Payboo card you don't have to pay tax. Took me like 2 minutes to sign up. They just closed the program but are re-opening it in January.

Opening a line of revolving credit, with a 29.99% interest rate, and a promise of cash back rewards that match the tax you pay (rewards which you technically are supposed to pay income tax on) isn't exactly the same as no sales tax. As as for "re-opening" the program, we'll see what they actually have for a new program when it is announced.

Re: Amazon still isn't doing enough to stop bait-and-switch reviews

#218

Post by xvector » Sat, Dec 18, 2021, 2:29 AM UTC

technothrasher wrote: post #217

xvector wrote: post #205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you get their Payboo card you don't have to pay tax. Took me like 2 minutes to sign up. They just closed the program but are re-opening it in January.

Opening a line of revolving credit, with a 29.99% interest rate, and a promise of cash back rewards that match the tax you pay (rewards which you technically are supposed to pay income tax on) isn't exactly the same as no sales tax. As as for "re-opening" the program, we'll see what they actually have for a new program when it is announced.

The interest rate is irrelevant, if you rely on it you have a lot bigger problems than ordering from Amazon.

Opening the line of credit will lower your overall credit utilization, actually helping your credit score in the long run.

Let's be serious, literally no one cares about paying tax on the rewards.

The new program is exactly the same as the old one. The backend card provider is changed.

Re: Amazon still isn't doing enough to stop bait-and-switch reviews

#219

Post by xvector » Sat, Dec 18, 2021, 2:30 AM UTC

tablespoon wrote: post #211

xvector wrote: post #207

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What sort of issues? Security ones? That basically came down to a malicious engineer compromising their own infrastructure and then whistleblowing.

> What sort of issues? Security ones? That basically came down to a malicious engineer compromising their own infrastructure and then whistleblowing. I don't know exactly. I believe they were trying to force cloud-signon for even locally managed devices, and since then I think I've picked up "used to be great" complaints that their quality and support is slipping (like they off-shored their engineering teams or somet…

That's for their routers and firewalls, which were shit even before the cloud stuff.

Their switches and APs are pretty good and don't require cloud nonsense.

Re: Amazon still isn't doing enough to stop bait-and-switch reviews

#220

Post by yourapostasy » Sat, Dec 18, 2021, 5:31 AM UTC

xxs wrote: post #195

AutumnCurtain wrote: post #170

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can still buy from Mcmaster-Carr. You'll pay more, but reliable quality is there if you need it.

That's not available in the EU (where they are, given the price in Euro). Even if you can use it - it will be all imperial.

Check out Raptor Supplies. In general, look at B2B MRO distribution-scope suppliers. Be prepared to pay commensurately, or go low-tier and apply the heuristic already mentioned in this discussion: first time around, buy low-tier; when it breaks in an unfixable way, go B2B tier.

I personally go straight to B2B for anything safety-related like my PPE.