There are more than a few things I've locally bought, or not bought, after checking Amazon reviews. Last was a washing machine this month, from our local GE dealership, which my family has had a special relationship with for decades. Amazon had some useful highly negative reviews, which prompted me to check Home Depot and Lowes, which in combination with the repairman noting the new model dropped its warranty period to 1 year as he was suggesting I buy one, prompted me to decide to replace broken parts in my current machine as long as that's feasible.
Amazon reviews also convinced me not to buy a Speed Queen washer. They're making old fashioned high quality washing machines (i.e. ones that get your clothes clean, it's said they bought an old US Maytag factory), BUT their service system is broken, they pay the repairman a flat fee per visit, and if you get a rare lemon you're SOL.
While this is perhaps costing Amazon money in the short term, it's one of many things they do that builds their tremendous brand loyalty, and prompts me to buy more things from and through them than I might otherwise. Heck, because I didn't buy that new washing machine I now have more money to buy other things ^_^.