I wouldn't say that they're either a monopoly or doing anything illegal. But their sheer size creates significant cost and distribution advantages that smaller companies simply can't compete with. Not within miles. And small, local businesses? Forget it.I'm not sure how either Wal-Mart or Amazon are monopolies. Wal-Mart has been accused of driving competitors out of biz by selling some items at below their cost. THAT is illegal and is called predatory pricing. But I haven't heard of such complaints in at least several years. Msft was a classic monopoly because they packaged software with their windows system, and by buying the software mftrs, they prevented other OP systems from being able to offer the same software. But windows is not what it once was .... and it will continue to decline as OPs are less important. And it will be less important to have software on a computing device.I'm a capitalist, but this is a clear example of how capitalism HAS to be carefully regulated.They will probably break it up one day. They are monopolizing everything.
Yeah, their economies of scale are so efficient now, and that's creating such momentum, that they won't be able to continue on this course without causing serious damage, and that's already happening.
There has been an element of that to Wal Mart's success, but this is starting to make Wal Mart look like a freakin' lemonade stand.
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But just because a company like Amazon offers customer support that people like doesn't make them a monopoly. And Amazon is not always the cheapest supplier. It is probably the biggest. But Amazon doesn't do anything to hinder Wal-Mart or anyone else from doing online sales. So, I don't see the illegality of what they do. And independent sellers can be accessed through their website. That's the backbone of both their apparel and used books that I use from time to time.
The two main shopping malls in my city are half empty, and that's happening nationally. Yes, the low costs and convenience of Amazon and Wal Mart are great, but they're coming at a serious cost. Jobs are gone and retail margins and incomes are measly. And then there is the ripple effect.
There really is a point at which these companies can get too big, creating diminishing returns. And we're there, right now.
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