Granddaughter of Marcus Books’ founders launches popular online Change.org campaign urging Amazon.com to stop offering ‘Price Check’ promotions that hurt small businesses

Change.org: WASHINGTON, DC – Thousands of small business owners and consumers have joined a popular campaign on Change.org demanding Amazon.com stop using promotion methods for its new “Price Check” app that critics claim hurt small businesses.

Jasmine Johnson, current employee and granddaughter of the founders of the nation’s oldest Black-owned bookstore, San Francisco and Oakland’s Marcus Books, launched the campaign on Change.org after Amazon.com unveiled the “Price Check” mobile phone application this past weekend. The app asks users to scan products at their local businesses and then provides price comparisons from Amazon.com.

On December 10, Amazon.com ran a special offer giving customers discounts when they scanned items at their local stores and then purchased the items on Amazon’s website.

“Amazon.com should not be a Grinch this year by taking away sales from small businesses this holiday season,” said Jasmine Johnson, who launched the campaign on Change.org. “Amazon.com’s actions hurt the sales of small businesses, like my family’s bookstore, during the holidays when these local shops need the most support. Small businesses like Marcus Books play a critical role in supporting local economies.”

Over 7,000 people have signed Johnson’s campaign on Change.org, the world’s fastest growing platform for social change. The petition is gaining support among small business owners across the country.

“There are millions of people in this country who work for wonderful small business owners who take care of each other and their communities,” Gina Schaefer, owner of several Ace Hardware stores in DC and Maryland and a board member of Think Local First DC. “While online shopping will continue to grow, I would urge consumers to think about where, how, and why they are spending their hard earned dollars with big box retailers – especially those like Amazon who are not required to pay taxes in most cases.”

"While online options are available to all our customers, Amazon has now squarely placed an unfair burden on both small businesses and consumers with their Price Checker app,” said Penny Jones-Napier of The Big Bad Woof, a pet supply store in the DC area. “By promoting this app, the company is basically telling small businesses and consumers that shopping local isn't necessary, and Amazon will beat any local independent price by whatever means necessary.”

“Amazon is attempting to use our stores as showrooms without the benefit of sales,” said Gayle Shanks of Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona. “For the consumer, it will be a short-sighted decision to save a few dollars that will in the long term undermine their communities and all they hold dear. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy providing the bulk of the jobs, the resources for the tax base, and perhaps most importantly, the lifeblood of what makes cities livable and interesting.”

“Jasmine’s campaign has certainly resonated with small business owners and consumers across the country,” said Change.org Senior Organizer William Winters. “Thousands of people have joined her campaign in a matter of days, and they’re all saying the same thing: Amazon’s got to stop its attacks on small businesses, especially during the holidays.”

Live signature totals from Jasmine’s campaign:
http://www.change.org/petitions/ceo-amazoncom-stop-the-price-check-assault-on-small-businesses

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