Packages move along a conveyor at an Amazon fulfillment center on Cyber Monday in Robbinsville, New Jersey, US, Monday, November 29, 2021.
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heroine So concerned about potential tech antitrust reforms swirling through Congress that a senior executive recently tried lobbying third-party vendors on an online platform they use to chat with each other about hot topics. to communicate with.
But the effort backfired, as several sellers disputed Amazon’s argument, saying they intended to support the law, which seeks to overturn US antitrust laws and reel in the power of Big Tech.
Posted by Dharmesh Mehta, Amazon’s vice president of worldwide selling partner services Post In Amazon’s Seller Central forum on Thursday. He encouraged merchants to contact their local senator to protest a law called the American Innovation and Choice Online Act (S.2992), which was Passed by a Senate Committee in January And can go ahead this summer,
“As we noted in a previous communication to you over the past year, Congress is considering legislation, including S.2992, the American Innovation and Choice Online Act, that could jeopardize Amazon’s ability to operate its marketplace service. and as a result, your ability to sell business in our stores,” Mehta wrote. “Recent public comments from the Senate leadership indicate that they intend to vote on S.2992 later this month. I want to make sure you are aware of this law and that you do what it takes to prevent harm.” What can you do for it?”
Mehta then instructed Amazon sellers a website That includes a form they can use to contact their senators. The page is filled with a pre-written email opposing the law, and says filling out the form will “take less than two minutes of your time.”
Hundreds of sellers responded to Mehta’s post, including many who seemed unconvinced of Amazon’s approach and promised to support the law. Third-party sellers, which account for more than half of Amazon’s retail volume, have expressed dismay in recent years. cost They pay to stay in good standing, the amount Amazon charges them for ads and Amazon’s inability to get rid of the marketplace. scams And bad actors.
One commenter wrote, “Yes, I am going to protest that Amazon would be banned from undercutting, manipulating Buybox, and banning certain listings that prevent me from unfairly selling items.” “Yeah, writing to my senator right now.”
Another wrote that, “Any informed seller is going to support the colossal action taken against Amazon in the area of antitrust. I am personally sick of the condescending posts directed at us by Amazon management. We are not fools and Knows how to read and think for himself.”
Amazon has strongly opposed the bill, which would prevent it and other tech companies from preferring their own businesses to its platform. Amazon in August email seller And created a website Informing them of the law and warning them of the potential to harm their business.
Last week, Amazon published a blog post Debating the law would jeopardize “the two things American consumers love most about Amazon: vast selection and low prices,” as well as its flagship two-day delivery service.
Amazon argues that it is being unfairly targeted in the bill, stating that only companies with a market cap of $550 billion or more would be subject to regulation. The e-commerce giant said it excluded “thousands of other retailers” such as walmart, target And costco,
Not every reaction to Mehta’s post came in the opposition. One commenter said the proposed legislation could harm sellers by just hurting Amazon.
“I can’t predict the future, and neither can the big secret, nor can the gang in Washington,” the person wrote. “I can tell you that this bill is bad news for Amazon, bad news for Amazon customers, and if you think it doesn’t mean bad news for sellers, you shouldn’t be a third-party seller. “
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