this post was submitted on 25 Feb 2026
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California Attorney General Rob Bonta last night filed a request for a preliminary injunction in California’s existing case against Amazon for price fixing. Attorney General Bonta’s 2022 lawsuit alleged that the company stifled competition and caused increased prices across California through its anticompetitive policies in order to avoid competing on price with other retailers. New evidence paints a clearer and more shocking picture. The motion for a preliminary injunction comes after a robust discovery process where California uncovered evidence of countless interactions in which Amazon, vendors, and Amazon’s competitors agree to increase and fix the prices of products on other retail websites to bolster Amazon’s profits. Time and again, across years and product categories, Amazon has reached out to its vendors and instructed them to increase retail prices on competitors’ websites, threatening dire consequences if vendors do not comply. Vendors, bullied by Amazon’s overwhelming bargaining leverage and fearing punishment, comply — agreeing to raise prices on competitors’ websites (often with the awareness and cooperation of the competing retailer), or to remove products from competing websites altogether. Amazon’s goal is to insulate itself from price competition by preventing lower retail prices in the market at the expense of American consumers who are already struggling with a crisis of affordability.

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[–] LoafedBurrito@lemmy.world 34 points 2 weeks ago (7 children)

I've been telling people to stop supporting amazon for years, but everyone seems to have their reason to keep supporting them. This hopefully will be a good enough reason for people to finally stop shopping on amazon.

I haven't bought anything from amazon in over 12 years. I find everything on the manufacturer's website or eBay. No need to ever use amazon for anything.

[–] holy_scroller@lemmy.zip 7 points 2 weeks ago

I've found the Shop App to be a good alternative along with eBay. Shop App is basically a search engine for retailers who use Shopify, which is a ton of them. From my research it seems to be generally better for retailers.

[–] null@lemmy.org 5 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

I was going on buy some jack stands for my car and saw the exact same models from harbor freight or auto zone on Amazon. Even if you're not trying to support Amazon, you can't escape the slop products.

[–] Pacattack57@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago

Amazon, in many cases, is not the seller. They are simply an online market. The reason you see the same products across multiple websites is because it is the same product. Doesn’t really have anything to do with shitty products although that’s what a lot of people do. They take advantage of Amazon’s monopoly on the market and sell products for hundreds if not thousands of dollars % mark ups. The reason it’s still cheaper on Amazon is because of the aforementioned price fixing.

[–] bridgeenjoyer@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Hey pal, do not use shit stores for car work. You are endangering your life. Please get a proper jack from Napa or at least northern tool or something. Harbor freight is for pry bars and shit, not life saving equipment.

Get a carlyle Jack as well. Affordable and lasts a lifetime. Dont skimp.on anything holding a car or an engine. I don't care how poor you are. You will get hurt.

[–] dream_weasel@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 weeks ago

I would like to remove the word "slop" from common speech for overuse. Sorry for your jack stand experience.

[–] Alpha71@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (4 children)

Okay. Here's my story. I have been looking for a 4K 32 to 43 inch monitor for my PC. TV or monitor, I just wanted 4k 120hz minimum. Didn't really care about IPS or VA panels. Both have their pro's and con's.

So I ended up getting a Philips Google TV 43" 4K Gaming TV with native 144Hz refresh rate. The asking price from Amazon was 450 CAD. everywhere I looked online It was 50 bucks more OR they were the same price, but charged 50 bucks in shipping.

THAT'S why I use Amazon. IF I can find it cheaper elsewhere, I'll buy it somewhere else. For me price is everything since I'm on a fixed income.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 17 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Okay, but have you considered that Amazon is the reason prices are high?

Obviously, none of these other retailers had a hand in it.

[–] Dr0l3aN@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

Exactly what they got "busted" for

[–] Ruxias@lemmy.world 14 points 2 weeks ago (20 children)

You're not alone in that. A lot of people's care for ethics ends where a good deal begins.

What you should know is that these companies offer these good deals for a variety of reasons, but usually involving shady or borderline illegal business practices in one way or another.

I understand you're on a fixed income - I sympathize with that and I don't want to be rude to a stranger - but is the deal on a particular item you want worth the cost of endorsing what these companies do and stand for?

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[–] 0x0@lemmy.zip 5 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Aren't most people on a fixed income?
Is such a TV... necessary?
Have you considered saving some for a few months and then buy the TV?

[–] Alpha71@lemmy.world 9 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

What do you think I've been doing? That took me four months.

[–] nickiwest@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

There are a lot of people online who think that 100% abstinence from The Bad is the only way to be good.

But if you can shift 10% of your former Amazon spending, do it. And keep looking for a way to get to 15%, then 20%, and so on.

Like, I'm probably never going to be a strict vegetarian. I love a good burger, or a nicely-cooked steak, or a big bowl of chicken and dumplings. But I eat vegetarian for more than 75% of my meals. And that's good enough for me.

[–] Alpha71@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

It was also the implied "Poor people shouldn't have nice things" That ticked me off.

Aren’t most people on a fixed income?

No, most people are on broken incomes.

[–] snausagesinablanket@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Not to leave out they're easy to return stuff too.

[–] Alpha71@lemmy.world -1 points 2 weeks ago
[–] Nebraska_Huskers@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

Same boat, I cancelled prime 5 years ago. My wife will activate for the holidays but I refuse to use it

[–] cheat700000007@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

I find the Amazon experience and prices to often be worse than elsewhere

[–] dream_weasel@sh.itjust.works -1 points 2 weeks ago

Supposing the prices they charge are still less than what you would pay for the convenience of purchasing a product with no extra effort, why would you switch?

I have myself had aspirations to buy fewer things from Amazon. However. Even including stuff like this, I am happy to pay $10 extra to not have to dick around.

I hope Amazon has to pay money for this and that it hurts their business model, bit as a customer they are still scratching my itch 2 times out of 3.