> So I'm genuinly curious: Why do so many people still buy despite an avalanche of complaints?

Personally, I do try to avoid them. Originally it was because I didn't want them to grow in market power; now its' because the results are a lot worse.

But it's not always possible. Probably 80-90% of the time I'm able to find what I'm looking for somewhere else. But sometimes what I'm looking for I can only really find on Amazon.

That, and people still buy me Amazon gift cards.