StarSong
Awkward is my Superpower
- Location
- Los Angeles Suburbs
All the behemoths get flack, and deservedly so. Before Amazon, Walmart was the evil doer. The large scale, import-heavy business plans of both put lot of small Main Street retailers and American manufacturers out of business. That said, a lot of those small town shops gouged their customers simply because they were the only place to go.
Historically, Amazon has been a very poor employer indeed. Numerous former employee whistle-blowers have had an avalanche of corroboration from other employees stating that the stories are accurate. So much so, that they're getting their act together - particularly now, when people are refusing to work despite being injured or under great duress.
Say what one will about employees asserting themselves and leaving poor working conditions, but they have a point, and their messages are being heard.
While I personally don't care for the arrogance of Starbucks (I need to speak YOUR special language to order a large coffee or you'll correct me in front of the people in line? Pass, thanks anyway.) On the other hand, Starbucks forced all other coffee sellers to up their game. McDonald's used to sell the crappiest coffee ever, and it sat on the burners all day. (I worked there for a while during college and know whereof I speak.) Now McD's has great coffee. Even gas station mini stores sell very good coffee.
For the pressure they put on all other coffee providers, I'll be forever grateful to Starbucks, though I rarely patronize them.
For the pressure they're putting on employers to I'll be forever grateful to employees who've publicly said, "No more!", though I am extremely unlikely to need another job.
For the pressure they put on all other retailers (Walmart included) to improve their customer service, delivery time, product warranties, and pricing, I'll be forever grateful to Amazon.
