amazon-logoHigher shipping costs and extra fees could cause Amazon third-party merchants to move away from the Seattle online giant to competitors like Google, Ebay and Wal-Mart.

That’s the report from Reuters today, noting several people on Amazon’s online seller forum who complained of the high fees, many which have gone into effect in the past year.

If competitors like Google and Ebay come in with lower shipping fees and fewer extra costs, that very well could entice Amazon merchants to change. Google is already preparing to launch something called “Google Shopping Express,” a same-day shipping service designed to compete with Amazon Prime.

There’s already a post on the forums about the Reuters piece today. Here are a few responses:

From user “Lake”:

It’s always a pleasure to read about sellers who are too stupid to survive.

And even better when we learn they need to supplement their income by spreading their stupidity to others (for pay).

And there is even more pleasure in seeing the press naively believing the losers.

A good start to the week.

From user “Twin_Rivers_Books”:

And then go to the Ebay boards and hear them complain about Ebay and how things are better on Amazon. And it goes back and forth all day everyday.

In 10 years the only fee hikes we’ve ever had here are the one’s for CD’s and DVD’s. That’s nothing to complain about.

If people are looking for happy and perfect, then online selling is not the way to find it.

Last Friday, two small merchants filed a class-action lawsuit against Amazon, claiming that Amazon did not pay them after 90 days and broke its own terms of agreement, as well as Washington state law.

Previously on GeekWire: Amazon downgraded by JP Morgan over slower growth

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