I Agree, Amazon IS Acting Like They Are Part Of The Emergency Supply Chain

[Kathianne]

First they announce they're hiring 100k workers for duration of crisis, now this:

https://pjmedia.com/instapundit/361717/



MARCH 17, 2020
THE HEADLINE FOOLED ME FOR A SECOND, BUT WHAT AMAZON IS DOING IS STOPPING DELIVERIES FROM 3D PARTY SELLERS SO IT CAN FOCUS ON EMERGENCY GOODS: Amazon suspends all warehouse shipments except medical supplies and ‘high-demand’ products. (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/coronavirus-amazon-suspends-delivery-shipments-stock-price-a9406951.html)

Amazon has temporarily suspended the shipment of all items from independent merchants to its warehouses that are not medical supplies or “high-demand” products.
This temporary suspension will go through 5 April as the e-commerce giant prioritises products relating to combating the growing coronavirus pandemic.
“We are temporarily prioritising household staples, medical supplies and other high-demand products coming into our fulfilment centres so we can more quickly receive, restock, and ship these products to customers,” an Amazon spokesperson told the Independent.
“We understand this is a change for our selling partners and appreciate their understanding as we temporarily prioritise these products for customers,” the spokesperson added.
This decision from Amazon comes after the online site saw an increase in shopping from people around the world. Items prioritised by shoppers and subsequently going out of stock related to cleaning supplies and other necessary items for Covid-19.
Amazon is part of the emergency supply chain, and they’re acting like it.
UPDATE: So I found the actual Amazon announcement (https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/external/help.html?itemID=GF37V7QBB8WSVF43) and there’s more to it than third-party sellers:

We are seeing increased online shopping and as a result some products such as household staples and medical supplies are out of stock. With this in mind, we are temporarily prioritizing household staples, medical supplies and other high-demand products coming into our fulfillment centers so that we can more quickly receive, restock, and ship these products to customers.
For products other than these, we have temporarily disabled shipment creation. We are taking a similar approach with retail vendors.
This will be in effect today through April 5, 2020, and we will let you know once we resume regular operations. Shipments created before today will be received at fulfillment centers.
Here’s the list of prioritized products:

Baby Products
Health & Household
Beauty & Personal Care (including personal care appliances)
Grocery
Industrial & Scientific
Pet Supplies
Plus, the announcement that Amazon is prioritizing its own retail products — not just those from third party sellers — the same way. Like I said, they’re part of the emergency supply chain, and they’re acting like it.
Related: Amazon Deprioritizes Book Sales Amid Coronavirus Crisis. (https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/82713-amazon-deprioritizes-book-sales-amid-coronavirus-crisis.html) Another advantage for Kindle books.

[jimnyc]

This man is SO rich (Bezos) that he alone is probably considering himself a branch of our government, and likely working with them.

I thought they were still doing things as-is and just backed up due to volume. But that's Effed up if they are prioritizing to the extent that their 3rd party sellers are being cut out to an extent. And I then have no doubt that Amazon is profiting from this.

All the medical supplies, the disinfectants, soaps, TP and similar products. Likely moving their own owned stuff to the forefront. I'm sure they are prioritizing to the extent that needed products go first and buyers get what they need - and Amazon also getting a large chunk this go round. I don't trust these monster companies.

[Kathianne]

This man is SO rich (Bezos) that he alone is probably considering himself a branch of our government, and likely working with them.

I thought they were still doing things as-is and just backed up due to volume. But that's Effed up if they are prioritizing to the extent that their 3rd party sellers are being cut out to an extent. And I then have no doubt that Amazon is profiting from this.

All the medical supplies, the disinfectants, soaps, TP and similar products. Likely moving their own owned stuff to the forefront. I'm sure they are prioritizing to the extent that needed products go first and buyers get what they need - and Amazon also getting a large chunk this go round. I don't trust these monster companies.

Jim, read the article and the links. They are part of the Emergency Supply Chain and they are not pushing their own products ahead. They are clearing for the items needed by the American public and health providers and first responders.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Hmmm... I hope they're not going to hold up the pack of a dozen batteries I ordered 4 days ago.

The order says it's being "Fulfilled by Amazon," and should be here by Thursday.

[Kathianne]

Hmmm... I hope they're not going to hold up the pack of a dozen batteries I ordered 4 days ago.

The order says it's being "Fulfilled by Amazon," and should be here by Thursday.
Check the delivery email. LOL! I think batteries would qualify!

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Straight from the link in the upper right hand of my Amazon account page...

-----------------------

Amazon’s actions to help customers, communities, and employees affected by COVID-19

A roundup of actions Amazon has taken to reduce the spread of the coronavirus while supporting those directly and indirectly impacted by COVID-19.

As a global company, we’re closely monitoring the impact of COVID-19. In addition to those who are affected by the illness, many more are indirectly dealing with changes in their work, school, and community environments. Here are some of the ways Amazon is supporting customers, communities, and employees during this difficult time.


Serving our customers


We believe our role serving customers and the community during this time is a critical one, and we want to make sure our customers can get the items they need, when they need them. As COVID-19 has spread, we've recently seen an increase in people shopping online which has had an impact on how we serve our customers. So in the short term, we are making the decision to temporarily prioritize household staples, medical supplies and other high demand products coming into our fulfillment centers so we can more quickly receive, restock and ship these products to customers. We are working around the clock with our selling partners to ensure availability of these essential products, and continue to bring on additional capacity to deliver customer orders. March 17, 2020.

While Amazon will continue taking orders and shipping items from across our store, customers ordering items they don’t need immediately have the opportunity to help others by choosing No-Rush Shipping. Selecting the No-Rush option enables us to consolidate orders and make fewer stops in neighborhoods throughout the week, and most importantly, serve customers with the most critical needs first. March 17, 2020.

We're also working to ensure that no one artificially raises prices on basic need products during this pandemic and have blocked or removed tens of thousands of items, in line with our long-standing policy. We actively monitor our store and remove offers that violate our policy.

To protect customers shopping in our physical retail stores, we've enhanced our daily cleaning procedures and are implementing additional nightly cleaning. We continue to educate employees on CDC guidance for maintaining healthy habits, and are offering flexibility for employees who need to stay home, plus paid time off for those who are diagnosed with the virus.

Prime Now, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market delivery customers always have the option to select "unattended delivery" during checkout if they prefer not to come into contact with others. Orders not containing alcohol are eligible for unattended delivery, and will be left in a location specified by the customer.


Empowering our customers


In addition to serving our retail customers, we’re making sure Amazon Web Services customers have the tools and support they need to keep their businesses and organizations moving forward safely and efficiently.

AWS is collaborating with public health organizations, government agencies, and businesses around the globe to support their efforts resulting from the ripple effect of COVID-19. This includes providing customers in the most affected regions with technical support and AWS credits that help cover costs, while enabling organizations to quickly stand up and scale their tools and infrastructure to keep businesses running, and speed COVID-19 research projects. More details to be shared in coming days.

We are supporting Amazonians and others who are working from home with AWS services, including virtual desktops in the cloud, frustration-free online meetings with video, and secure content storage and collaboration. AWS also provides services for many healthcare and life sciences companies that are working on research, diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine study to accelerate our collective understanding of COVID-19.


Caring for our employees


We are opening 100,000 new full and part-time positions across the U.S. in our fulfillment centers and delivery network to meet the surge in demand from people relying on Amazon’s service during this stressful time, particularly those most vulnerable to being out in public. We also know many people have been economically impacted as jobs in areas like hospitality, restaurants, and travel are lost or furloughed as part of this crisis. We want those people to know we welcome them on our teams until things return to normal and their past employer is able to bring them back. In addition to the 100,000 new roles we’re creating, we want to recognize our employees who are playing an essential role for people at a time when many of the services that might normally be there to support them are closed. In the U.S., we will be adding an additional $2 USD per hour worked through April from our current rate of $15/hour or more, depending on the region, C$2 in Canada, £2 per hour in the UK, and approximately €2 per hour in many EU countries. This commitment to increased pay through the end of April represents an investment of over $350 million in increased compensation for hourly employees across the U.S., Europe, and Canada. Read more. March 16, 2020.

In light of ongoing international COVID-19 developments, we now recommend that all global employees who work in a role that can be done from home, do so through the end of March. Every team is different and not all jobs are conducive to working from home. Employees and partners whose work requires their physical presence in their workplace, have access to all of their usual paid and unpaid time-off benefits. March 12, 2020.

All Amazon employees diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed into quarantine will receive up to two weeks of pay. This additional pay while away from work is to ensure employees have the time they need to return to good health without the worry of lost income. This is in addition to unlimited unpaid time off for all hourly employees through the end of March. Read more. March 11, 2020.

We are establishing the Amazon Relief Fund, with a $25 million initial contribution, focused on supporting our independent delivery service partners and their drivers, Amazon Flex participants, and seasonal employees under financial distress during this challenging time. We will be offering all of these groups the ability to apply for grants approximately equal to up to two weeks of pay if diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed into quarantine. Going forward, this fund will support our employees and contractors around the world who face financial hardships from other qualifying events, such as a natural disaster, a federally declared emergency, or an unforeseen personal hardship. Applicants may apply and receive a personal grant from the fund ranging from $400 to $5,000 per person. Read more. March 11, 2020.

We paused our fulfillment center public tours program, cancelled large events, and changed the majority of our job interviews to virtual interviews rather than in-person interviews, which often require travel. At the same time, we increased our cleaning of all facilities globally, including regular sanitization of all door handles, stairway handrails, elevator buttons, lockers, and touch screens. February 28, 2020.


Supporting our community


We created a $5 million Neighborhood Small Business Relief Fund to provide cash grants to Seattle-area small businesses that need assistance to get through economic challenges related to COVID-19. The fund is intended for businesses with fewer than 50 employees or less than $7 million in annual revenue. Businesses with a physical presence within a few blocks of Amazon’s office buildings in the Denny Regrade and South Lake Union areas, that are open to the general public, and are reliant on foot traffic for customers, are eligible for the grants. This should help small businesses continue to retain and pay their employees, stay current on rent, and cover other fixed costs related to their operations. Additionally, we are subsidizing two full months of rent for tenants in the buildings Amazon owns. Read more. March 10, 2020.

Amazon contributed $1 million to a new Seattle Foundation fund for community members affected by COVID-19. The fund will provide flexible resources to nonprofits and community-based organizations working with those who are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus and the economic consequences of the outbreak. Initial grants will support organizations helping those who don’t have sick leave or health insurance, medically fragile individuals, and healthcare workers. Read more. March 9, 2020.

We are continuing to pay all hourly staff who work for the service providers that support our offices around the world—from food-service workers to security guards to janitorial staff. March 6, 2020.

Now and always, our Amazon Future Engineer program is focused on increasing access to computer science education for hundreds of thousands of students and teachers. As classrooms across the U.S. experience educational disruption during the pandemic, Amazon Future Engineer will initially provide free access to our sponsored computer science courses in the United States. These courses are for independent learners from 6th to 12th grade, or teachers who are teaching remotely to this age group. Through this free Amazon Future Engineer access, teachers will have access to online professional development to support their work. Amazon Future Engineer and our curriculum partners, Edhesive, will grant teachers and students access shortly after they complete their applications, which can be found at amazonfutureengineer.com. March 15, 2020.

We’re leveraging our fulfillment network to support nonprofits and relief organizations in the Puget Sound area that are on the front lines of the outbreak. We are donating gift cards and helping to purchase items on Amazon.com on behalf of the organizations who are time-strapped managing the crisis. Items donated in-kind from Amazon include baby food and wipes, school supplies, clothing, and hygiene products. This enables nonprofits and relief organizations to respond quickly to the changing and immediate needs of the community members.

We’ve also reached out to, and are helping, our communities around the globe. In China, for example, we leveraged our fulfillment network to donate millions of items—such as medical isolation suits, protective masks, disposable gloves, and other medical supplies—to healthcare professionals in affected cities. We'll share more updates in days to come.

You can get the latest information about Amazon’s response to COVID-19 by bookmarking this page, and by following @AmazonNews on Twitter.

https://blog.aboutamazon.com/company-news/amazons-actions-to-help-employees-communities-and-customers-affected-by-covid-19/?_encoding=UTF8&token=GW&utm_content=COVID-19_roundup&utm_medium=swm&utm_source=gateway&utm_term=gw03162020&ref_=nav_swm_cov_19_swm_test&pf_rd_p=5564b4d9-7bf0-4186-83bf-d0a22f662cd0&pf_rd_s=nav-sitewide-msg-text&pf_rd_t=4201&pf_rd_i=navbar-4201&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=CT2SR29T5NWCE4HJXWGZ

[hjmick]

GOD I hate Amazon...

And Google...

[jimnyc]

Jim, read the article and the links. They are part of the Emergency Supply Chain and they are not pushing their own products ahead. They are clearing for the items needed by the American public and health providers and first responders.

Ok, I was wrong then and failed to gather the info before replying. :(

I'll give credit where it's due if they are successful in this. The first priority IMO should not all be lining up those products, but also to whom. And don't know the entire specifics of when either. I still search for certain types of products, and availability is extremely slim, and still appears to be gouging going on? Someone is still now getting through for $150 for N95 masks. Damn. Some TP folks and Purell getting through too. Hopefully they will ban them as they find them still.

I guess I have a ton to actually read from them and how this is all working. Maybe they're just getting started with this new process.

I do see for example, disinfectant wipes. I also see TP for anyone who may still be in need, but it's still Amazon's own crap "Presto". Don't know if that's any good or not.

And oooh, I see bottled water is getting better! Good thing I paid for some overpriced water first. :( Not all back in stock, but at least the few I like!

I would imagine that these are going to come and go in bunches like that for awhile.

And I know there's more I haven't read yet. I am still finishing your link, and ultimately have like 7 links open to read. Doesn't all sound so terribly important at this moment, but will be if they start making us stick at home more and more, and then rely on the mail and Amazon type places more and more!

[High_Plains_Drifter]

I'm caught between a rock and a hard place with Amazon. Since I don't live near fancy stores, shopping malls and specialty shops, I'm very limited with what I can acquire around here for... SIXTY MILES... in any direction. So to be able to go on Amazon and find what I want, usually, and have it sent right to my front door, FREE, in most cases, is AWESOME, and I can't not mention that I like Amazon Prime TV too, and their new Amazon Unlimited HD streaming music is unrivaled, and all but a miracle for a music lover like me that has ONE radio station near me that comes in half way decent, but plays the most moronic modern hick hop country CRAP on the planet. So what I do, cut myself off to all this in protest and just suffer? It wouldn't even make a discernible dent in Amazon. It's undeniably a great asset to me, to people like me... so what we gonna do?