I think amazon is a great shop. It allows me to buy what I want, when I want it and at a good price.
Amazon – A Lifeline
I have given up on shops. Often they don’t stock what I want to buy. I don’t enjoy mulling around in noisy, airless and messy public places. I find it strange be treated with indifference, disdain or ignorance by sales staff – after all I want to do do is give them my money – so as I grow older I do it less and less.
A cousin is able to ship in dockers from the US and amazon ships my books (my basic vice in life) and now it ships any electronics I need. Software and music I download. I’ll look at online shopping for food in 2012!
The High Street Dies – So What?
Amazon gives me what I want, when I want it. Given that most shops don’t want to do that, fine by me.
But, some shops don’t like the idea that me and many millions of others like me don’t want to be abused by poor service and expensive prices.
The High Street Fights Back
A way to limit my choice is to force amazon to take back old electronics. That the law does nto require shops to do so (I have tried) has escaped many people and politicians by. I take my old electronics to the local council drop off point. It works fine.
The high street shops are fighting back, but not in the right way. Shops could offer a pleasant shopping experience with good prices, good choices and good service. That would be great, but it would not be easy. It would mean doing things differently. There is another way. They can use their friends in high political places to stop me (and countless millions) using amazon and force back to the high street.
Be Careful When Irish Eyes Are Signing on You
Two Irish MEPs in an end of year flourish have raised their concerns about amazon. Strangely neither MEP contributed much in the debate on the review of the directive they are now asking very detailed questions about, so maybe something or someone piqued their interest.
Question for written answer E-012015/2011
to the Commission
Rule 117
Liam Aylward (ALDE), Brian Crowley (ALDE) and Pat the Cope Gallagher (ALDE)
Subject: WEEE Directive and online companies
The WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC) is an EU directive founded on the principle of ‘producer responsibility’, and its general objectives are to prevent the generation of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and to promote the reuse, recycling and recovery of such wastes.
Could the Commission clarify its position on adherence to this directive by online sales companies, with regard to their producer responsibility to promote the reuse, recycling and recovery of wastes outlined in the directive?
Could the Commission confirm whether there are any specific provisions with regard to online sales companies and their adherence to the WEEE Directive?
Does the Commission have any plans to implement further policy concerning online sales and distribution companies and enforcement of the WEEE Directive?
Could the Commission clarify whether online companies which operate in one Member State will be held responsible for either the recycling or recovery of such wastes in another Member State under the WEEE Directive? Do online companies have to register in each Member State in which they trade, in order to comply with the requirements concerning recycling and recovery of their waste electrical products?