Klein Bottle Amazon Brand Hijacking (2021)

Legal Recourse and Power Imbalance

• Some suggest using small-claims court against Amazon or hijacking sellers; others argue it’s costly, slow, emotionally draining, and rarely worth it for small-dollar harms.
• There’s concern about provoking a trillion‑dollar company, and skepticism that fame meaningfully helps a small seller inside Amazon’s automated, low‑touch systems.
• A few argue legislation is the only viable fix; others warn about unintended consequences and see it as a last resort.

Amazon’s Marketplace, Counterfeits, and Safety

• Commenters describe widespread counterfeit and low‑quality goods: vitamins, electronics, toys, books, manga, even pool chemicals and power strips.
• Commingled inventory and aggressive discount “fire sales” are blamed for expired, unsafe, or non‑UL‑listed products ending up with buyers.
• Publishers report genuine editions being buried in search by counterfeits, missing download codes, and bizarre stocking decisions (e.g., series volumes 5 & 7 but not 6).
• Many feel Amazon uses its “marketplace” status to dodge retailer‑level responsibility, and that regulators allow this.

Competitors and Consumer Behavior

• Walmart, Target, B&N, and others are widely seen as technically clumsy or equally compromised by third‑party sellers; some specific horror stories mirror Amazon’s.
• Despite dissatisfaction, Amazon’s convenience, selection, fast shipping, and easy returns keep many locked in; others have consciously exited and buy from manufacturers, indie shops, or alternatives like Bookshop.org and Chewy.
• There’s debate over whether the core problem is consumer preference for convenience and low prices, versus structural monopoly and regulatory failure.

Trust, Future Models, and Amazon’s Role

• Several feel Amazon has fallen from “default trusted” to “eBay‑level” risk; others say issues are overblown and note smooth refunds.
• Some predict growth of “verified” intermediaries (StockX‑style inspection before shipment) as a premium, trust‑centric alternative.
• A minority calls for breaking up Amazon into smaller entities to restore accountability.

Cliff Stoll and the Klein Bottle Case

• Commenters praise Cliff’s writing, talks, and quirky Klein bottle business, citing his care with orders and personal touches.
• He reports the U.S. hijack was fixed after escalation, but says the Canadian listing remains hijacked and he still can’t sell there, underscoring how hard it is for even a well‑known seller to get relief.