So I am a full on Amazon Addict. I receive boxes and packages several times a week. I’m a Prime member and think of Amazon first when I go to make an online purchase.
I have heard from many (including my daughter who is also BW.C member and had a run-in with Amazon) that they are “not friendly” but I have never had any problems with them.
That said, I also do not like putting all my eggs in one basket. What other services do y’all use as an alternative to Amazon? Even if there were no politics involved, it’s good to diversify, yes?
34 replies on “Amazon Alternatives?”
I too am working to de-Amazon myself. After hearing many people talk about finding alternatives I started thinking of how to make that easier. The idea I came up with is for a Citizens Marketplace website. It would work similarly to Angie’s List in that members can post good businesses to deal with. It would allow for a common spot to search for whatever you might be looking for without having to worry about dis-favored results being censored. I was hoping to get some feedback on the idea before I go all-in getting it set up. I posted the details of it under the ‘Businesses to Support’ forum. If anyone has any suggestions or thoughts on it, I would love to hear them. Thanks!
https://billwhittlecom.wpenginepowered.com/member-forum/business-support/citizens-marketplace-idea/#post-1152
I had a run-in with Amazon because the item was from a separate vendor and I was told to contact them. After doing so and getting no response, I returned the item to Amazon and reordered the right size directly from the vendor.
I use Amazon as a catalog. I find something they sell and go to the manufacturer’s website. They generally tell me who else sells their product.
Some people have replied they are “Amazon addicts” in the comments.
I recommend finding mom and pop or other places to get what you need.
One of my friends said he “gray listed” Amazon, which means he only goes there if he can’t find what he needs elsewhere, or buys the minimum possible.
I think quitting Amazon is a small thing to do if we’re taking steps to save our country and way of life.
The thing is I hate chasing all over the city to find what I want, burning a lot of gas in the process, and coming home without it. Amazon was just too easy.
Other companies also have websites, you know! :o) I don’t go into many stores, but I do spend a bit more time online, finding ways to avoid giving Amazon more money.
I began to withdraw from them after I saw an Amazon Prime airplane in Anchorage when we were taxiing. I see Amazon delivery trucks now, and Amazon trailers on tractor-trailer rigs on the highway. It dawned on me that they have stopped giving UPS and FedEx business, instead becoming a competitor. I remembered the quote of that wise man, King Barack the Last, who said, “At some point, you’ve made enough money”. And I agreed. So, I check other stores online, first. They don’t deliver as fast, but really, who cares?
We’re just becoming accustomed to having instantaneous response to many things. I used to live in Saudi Arabia. In the late 70’s, during my first time there, I had to schedule a long-distance phone call with the telephone exchange, and normally could get a line out within three weeks. Yet, I lived to tell the tale! I don’t need most things on my doorstep the next day. If I do, I can give Amazon a few coins.
I think if people want, they can find alternatives to Amazon without burning gas. May take just a few mins. of time to find another website and deny Amazon billions of tax free profits every year. IMO
I started checking Walmart.com first, and found that I could often get the same item found on Amazon, shipped free to the store. Of course Walmart is not exactly the best example of the “free market”, being in bed with China as they are, but it’s a start.
I just bought some Pyrex baking dishes from (wait for it…) PYREX.COM. I could have gotten these items delivered really fast from Amazon, probably, but I didn’t need them really fast. And they are here today.
We can save a bit of money on shipping by having Amazon Prime, but lose our liberty by feeding that beast, so I have decided to stop buying so much stuff, in general, and from other vendors, in particular. I Bing for items I want to buy, and check out all options that are not Amazon.
One thing I use is Sennheiser RF headphones. I can listen to podcasts online while moving freely through the house when using them. My headphones were on their last legs, though, and I’d always bought them from Amazon for about $20 less than elsewhere. When Binging I found some refurbished ones on eBay, which, as it turned out, were actually direct from Sennheiser, for the Amazon price. I bought them, they arrived in good condition with a full two-year guarantee. It is possible to begin to put Amazon on a diet.
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I don’t know what I use in lieu of Amazon. I have never ever used Amazon.
My daughter (in her early 20’s) has stopped buying from Amazon, though she still uses them. She uses them to find what she is looking for and then buys directly from the source. Takes a little longer but she likes that her money is going to the company and skipping the third party. And yes, it costs her a little more and takes a little longer.
That’s a good way to go.
I found out last year that my wife and children use Amazon. I have asked them to desist.
Oh Man! They are addictive! Type in some bizarre product and they generally have it. I found I was buying way too many small things and they add up to lots of cash.
I used to buy my Keurig K-cups from Amazon. Now I buy direct from Keurig for the same price.
Thank you Stratoloungers! So to speak. I will use these ideas. I have also just looked up “wish.com” has anyone found this to be a viable alternative?
I ran across them just today as I was looking for replacement pedal straps for my recumbent exercise bike (a ten-year-old Schwinn model that is no longer made). I got curious because the English usage in the description of the items I was looking at seemed, well, Chinese, and did some research. It appears Wish is a Chinese company originally, but with offices in several countries. For all I know they are very good at what they do, but like others here I am trying to avoid all things Chinese (except Chinese food from my local restaurants!), so I bought the pedal straps directly from an exercise equipment retailer in the US.
My wife and I quit Amazon Prime when they dropped Parler. Since then I’ve needed to order some tools and supplies for my work (handyman). It hasn’t cost me any extra money but the other suppliers, and there are many, usually don’t ship as fast.
eBay is a good option. I have found many items at cheaper prices on eBay.
I have found that many of my suppliers on Amazon sell directly (although, strangely, sometimes at higher prices).
Don’t use kindle, trying to find an option for Audible.
The other thing we are doing in my house is trying to stay away from “Made in China”. When I see this on a product I see it as a Swastika. I can’t say we have been able to be 100% on this issue, or even 80%, but we are doing our best. I prefer to but American but stuff is made all over the world and anywhere is better than China.
Does Amazon own Ebay?
China has a stranglehold on auto parts. Even American companies get their stuff from China sometimes. Dorman is the worst! Junk!
Yes, Audible will be hard to replace I like to listen to them in the evening and on long trips. I was a member way before they sold to Amazon in 08. I use library to go as much as possible but I have heard that Spotify is going to start books as well. https://www.techradar.com/news/free-audiobooks-on-spotify-suggests-audible-will-soon-have-a-new-rival
Does Amazon keep track of what you are buying or renting from them to listen to on Audio? Enough to figure out that there is content you have walked away from and content you have stuck around for?
Enough to figure out where their revenue stream is, and isn’t?
I would like to think that Amazon can realize that people like you are tuning out what you find offensive, the way a bakery figures out what sells and what does not, and pulling what does not sell.
But maybe I am being a Wide-Eyed Innocent here.
I am sure they track everything. I think they will push the topics/subject matter they want regardless of my response. I look at television, they try to continually slip agendas they want pushed to try and wear us down into acceptance. I saw TV do that starting in the late 70’s.
I too have been an AMAZON addict, but after seeing them send millions to BLM and toss Parler for lack of leftist “thought” I have begun sourcing my purchases to others. I find that many of the items I regularly purchase can be found online direct from the manufacturer or other suppliers. Of those I have sourced I have found good or better pricing, often free shipping (perhaps with minimum purchase amounts…easy to buy ahead). Sourcing other items to local stores requires a bit more effort but keeping small business afloat while the plandemic is trying to destroy the middle class is a worthy goal.
I agree with the buy direct idea. I also agree with the buy local and support independents/small business approach. Sometimes buying local comes with higher cost but it will be worth it in the long run. Also consider buying less. The convenience and low price is a trap to buy more and often buying what isn’t necessary or worthwhile. Adopt a minimalist lifestyle and put the excess to work in ways that pays eternal dividends. Serve others.
For weeks I’ve been on the verge of cancelling Amazon Prime. The convenience and speed is the allure, but it rubs my conscience raw to use it. I don’t watch much of what is offered on Prime video, but I use Audible, which I think can be used without Prime. Like Kyrielle and others here, I check Amazon first and then go to the manufacturer or seller’s website to buy it if I can.
I’ve used e-Bay a few times, but find Amazon easier, probably just due to familiarity. Still, some loss of convenience is preferable to feeling like a hypocrite when I use Amazon.
You could try eBay. I buy and sell on eBay and mostly just sell on Amazon. Amazon pretty much always has higher prices than eBay does because their fees are higher and more people are buying on Amazon than eBay. eBay definitely isn’t impartial when it comes to politics, but eBay doesn’t sell any of their own products like Amazon does. I’d argue it’s the next best platform after Amazon for getting a good price and a good selection.
Yeah, tell one of my clients about Amazon selling their own products!
He had a high-end bicycle shop, the kind of bikes Ironman triathletes use in the bike portion of the race. He had a brick-and-mortar store, and sold on Amazon after being courted by them. It seemed really cool. Then, Amazon analyzed his sales, found which items sold best, and started manufacturing them and undercutting him. Amazon knows precisely nothing about high-end bikes, nor the materials that go into making them, but just like that, you can spend my client’s time learning what you need, then buy it for less from Amazon. That’s just not right.
When I learned this a couple years ago, I started cutting back on Amazon purchases. Now, I buy as little as possible there. However, with family overseas, I can send gifts to England, shipped from England, which they receive without me having to pay $75 in postage, and them having to pay Customs duties, so that will probably not change for birthdays and Christmases.
So, what about my client’s bike business? It’s out of business. Thanks for nothing, Amazon.
Yeah, stories like this are (sadly) commonplace. Another great reason to ditch Amazon.
Since Bezos decided to de-platform Parler I’ve started to take some of my business elsewhere (I’m a Prime addict). Although a little more inconvenient, if I can find the same item in one of my local stores I’ll just stop by during the day while on my errands. It isn’t that much additional hassle and may put off the day of becoming a full serf to Bezos just a little longer. Imagine if all Trump voters just cut their purchases to Amazon by just 10%. You can’t tell me they wouldn’t notice.
It’s hard to replace the generality, convenience, and swiftness of Amazon with any one offering, but I’m in a similar boat and will be making the effort to get more creative in my online shopping. The “Businesses to Support” section of the Member Forum is a good place to look for and post helpful suggestions. I agree about seeking out manufacturers directly and also remembering to consider buying something used when it would fit the bill just as well (especially given that so much new merchandise is made in China, and we have good reasons to not want to send more of our money there). Hope this helps.
I buy used books from stores I have found on Amazon all the time. I am an avid reader. I have found several of the used book stores, such as Thriftbooks to be reliable. The only problem is the additional cost of shipping each item vs Prime. Oh well. Small price to pay for not supporting Bezos.
Using ebay at the moment for the most part. Cancelled prime the other week. Otherwise I try to buy from companies own websites. For books you have AbeBooks or Alibris.
There are some other aggregate sites although quality varies. BangGood, AliExpress are a bit chancy. Wish is mostly junk.
I’ve been buying a lot of my books from Thriftbooks. Since I purchase most of my books used I have found them in most cases to be better or equal to Amazon’s used book portal.
I just go to the manufacturer and buy it from them.