Slashdot Mirror
French Fine Amazon For Free Shipping
strech writes "Ars Technica reports that France is fining Amazon for offering free shipping on some orders. A French high court ruled in December that the practice violated a law preventing discounting the price of a book more than 5% off of the publisher's recommended price. Amazon has decided to pay the fine, rather than drop free shipping. The fine currently stands at €1,000 per day but is automatically reconsidered after 30 days, after which it could be raised dramatically."
So wait, Amazon is offering free shipping on french fries now?
Sarcasm over: Who is whining here?
The judge whining over free shipping? I doubt the judge represents the views of the French people; you think they're going to like having free shipping taken from them?
The French people whining over the judge's bad decision? Aren't we doing the same thing now?
I've always wondered why Americans (I assume you're American) are so anti-French, especially when they helped you get independence from Britain etc, right? (Correct my poor history knowledge)
// MD_Update(&m,buf,j);
I'm trying hard to understand this. Looking at European governmental action, typically these governments act to protect the consumer. I do not immediately see how forcing a higher price on a commodity can be good for the consumer.
Since when does the EU get the benefit of the doubt (or France in this case) about their governmental actions? Their governments exist for the purpose of keeping everyone roughly the same (save for the ruling elites) and maintaining the status quo. Why do you think they renamed the EU constitution after it was voted down in several countries? Instead of letting those pesky citizens vote now, they are just going to do what is best for them on their own.
In this instance the higher prices aren't good for the consumer, but someone at the place that originated the complaint probably had the leverage to get a decision the way they wanted it. Let's also not forget that the ruling went against an American company .
But then I remember Wal-Mart; look at Wal-Mart by offering lower prices for so many years has hurt local economies, local goods providers who cannot compete with volume pricing... which is exactly what Amazon does as well.
Foul!! I penalize you 15 yards. Whenever someone uses the generic "Wal-Mart" defense I know they have no idea what they are talking about. Please site your proof that Wal-Mart hurts local economies. Maybe also show in there the link that shows how much money lower income families save by shopping at Wal-Mart. Let's say Wal-Mart does put a local supermarket out of business (75 employess max), how many more people will that Wal-Mart employ? How much higher will the wages be? How many more people will get healthcare? You can't tell me with a straight face that a small business (in this case a supermarket) will pay higher wages and provide more healthcare than Wal-Mart. You just like to complain about Wal-Mart b/c the TV told you so and you might make enough money so that you don't have to shop there. Try this little experiment. Get the Wal-Mart near your house closed and then let everyone know you did it. I bet you'll be surprise by how grateful those locals will be to you..:)
So, all I can think is that the French government has bothered to look beyond the obvious, oh we save them 8EU so we are obviously better for the consumer and realized that there is more to a healthy economy and healthy society than saving someone a buck or two...
You have now proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have no idea what you are talking about. In what world is the economy of France considered healthy? Declining population (minus immigration), check. Problems with lifetime employment, check. French youths (ha..I love this euphemism) rioting in the streets, check. Hopefully Sarkozy will be able to do something about it.
I won't even begin to talk about how commonplace corruption is in France. It's just not a big deal there b/c the citizens expect it from their leaders. Do a search about Chirac and his time as mayor of Paris if you want some information.
It could be something to do with the French being so anti-American? Certainly anti-Americanism is growing in the rest of Europe, but the French invented it.