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For the last few months, independent bookstores have been able to ship many books faster than Amazon.
Soon, unfortunately, it looks like that might not be the case anymore. This makes me sad for a few reasons, which I'll explain below. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-13/amazon-says-delivery-speed-returning-to-normal-after-covid-crush
Soon, unfortunately, it looks like that might not be the case anymore. This makes me sad for a few reasons, which I'll explain below. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-13/amazon-says-delivery-speed-returning-to-normal-after-covid-crush
First and foremost, many Amazon employees are publicly bemoaning unsafe working conditions and a lack of Coronavirus protections. Despite this, a return to normal shipping speeds is imminent.
Amazon has also developed a habit of firing whistleblowers. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amazon-worker-fired-coronavirus-maren-costa-emily-cunningham/
Amazon has also developed a habit of firing whistleblowers. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amazon-worker-fired-coronavirus-maren-costa-emily-cunningham/
Before anyone celebrates a return to Amazon's normal shipping speeds, perhaps they could read this letter from 13 state Attorneys General who are "deeply disappointed" with Amazon's safety and sick leave measures, not to mention its lack of transparency. https://www.mass.gov/doc/letter-to-amazon-whole-foods-worker-protections/download
Even in normal times, the infrastructure required for free next-day (or even two-day) shipping creates grueling demands on delivery drivers and warehouse workers. These demands can result in dangerous conditions https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/carolineodonovan/amazon-next-day-delivery-deaths
Not gonna lie, we liked being able to ship books faster than Amazon. The happy accident of indie bookstores being the fastest option for books led to a massive wave of new online-shopping indie bookstore customers. We hope they stick around, even after Amazon is fast again.
We've been talking to a lot of other bookstores and small businesses about how to reopen. Seemingly every small business we talk to is making employee safety their top priority. That's certainly the case here at The Raven.
As free next-day shipping becomes an option again, I hope people stick with small businesses.
I hope people are okay waiting a few extra days for a book as long as they know the book is coming from a place working to keep its employees as safe as possible.
I hope people are okay waiting a few extra days for a book as long as they know the book is coming from a place working to keep its employees as safe as possible.
