4 ms·

The "bye, amazon" post made me think about my consumer habits. I'm building a gaming rig now, I decided to avoid amazon and ebay as much as I ca to let shops av

by akerro 6y ago

The "bye, amazon" post made me think about my consumer habits. I'm building a gaming rig now, I decided to avoid amazon and ebay as much as I ca to let shops avoid paying selling and advertising fees.

Pfhreak 6y ago
This is the year I canceled Prime, and I'm trying to act in solidarity with worker actions (eg no purchases on May 1st). We can debate the merits of individual choices, but collective actions have impact. I wouldn't be surprised to see an anti prime day or cancel prime day organized to coincide with Amazon's retail holiday "Prime Day".
thomaslord 6y ago
Amazon is also a pretty terrible place to buy computer hardware, especially with their track record of shipping terribly-packed hard drives.
- kerkeslager 6y ago
  And outright counterfeits.
- jowsie 6y ago
  The benefit of Amazon, at least in the UK, is they will take a return for basically any reason regardless of whether its been opened or not.
  - akerro 6y ago
    > The benefit of Amazon, at least in the UK, is they will take a return for basically any reason regardless of whether its been opened or not. Then they package the returned drive correctly and send to you, where it dies 5 months after warranty ended.
throwaway0a5e 6y ago
I'm curious what the reason for avoiding eBay is? They don't seem to be engaging in any of the more egregious behaviors that earn Amazon flak simply by virtue of not having their own product lines and warehouse/distribution system.
- Tokiin 6y ago
  While true, there's an alarming amount of products on eBay that are just drop-shipped from Amazon. By avoiding Amazon, you have to avoid eBay as well, at least in terms of buying items that are new.
  - FireBeyond 6y ago
    And if you want to get byzantine, I've had several Amazon orders that were drop-shipped from Walmart.com, which has at least reminded me that I should comparison shop.
- akerro 6y ago
  > I'm curious what the reason for avoiding eBay is? Super low quality customer support, eBay is on sellers side as they bring profits, sellers purposely adversative products to sell more then refuse refunds, when I made complaint to eBay eBay got on their side. I have humidifier that not suitable for my needs and has super-low quality filter that's not HEPA as it was described. When I want to buy something cheap of questionable/unidentified quality, I go to aliexpress. I have motorcycle cover that was supposed be XL and fit my motorbike, but got S that covers only top half... seller sent be back 20% of cost, but I still have cover I can't use. GPS tracker that for some reason doesn't work with Orange (and others) SIM cards in the UK, but works in Poland (with Orange SIM). Arduino WiFi that came in original(?) packaging, but was rusted. I can keep going like this... It's been like this since I ever use eBay (~2010), I always lie to myself "this time it won't happen" and it keeps happening.
  - FireBeyond 6y ago
    > eBay is on sellers side as they bring profits Amazing how perspective is. I'm 99% a buyer (hundreds of items bought, and three items sold, and never again). I sold a Mavic 2 Pro drone with 5 batteries. The whole process was a mess. Buyer complained that it didn't come with the CrystalSky tablet in one picture (that was added after they started bidding, to show Flight Logs, was explicitly disclaimed as being a part of the package, and was not in the receipts I sent the buyer). After that, three weeks later: "The batteries don't work." "Any of them?" "Nope. I want a refund." Note that two of the batteries were less than 4 months old, still in warranty. He then stated he wanted a refund of $800. Bear in mind, 5 brand new batteries would be $670. No evidence was shown. I stated I'd like to get the original batteries back, as I'd be able to get them replaced under warranty or possibly repaired and recoup some of my money (I was skeptical there was any issue, but still). He agreed. I asked him to send me an eBay message acknowledging that the partial refund was contingent on him sending me the batteries back and that he accepts me disputing the refund if not. He does so. Refund is sent (for about $700, to include his return shipping costs). Less than an hour later I get a message, "USPS says they won't ship damaged batteries so I will not be returning them". I then suggest we meet in person to exchange them (I live a few hours away, not convenient, but still, $700...). He umms and ahhs, "How will I be able to prove that I gave them to you in person?". I suggest we do it in a police station (his local PD suggests people do this for CL, etc.). More umm and ahh. "I need to contact eBay support to see if they recommend this." (eBay has a FAQ page describing how they recommend doing in person sales, and refunds, and documenting it). "I never heard back from them so I'm not sure what to do". I point this out, and he goes silent. I open a dispute. No evidence provided for damage/faulty goods. Multiple instances of the buyer trying to show something/anything was problematic with the listing. Not abiding by agreement, refusing/avoiding any method of returning damage. "We have closed your dispute. Based on our review, the buyer is entitled to a partial refund for damage. He is not required to return the batteries". So he ended up with a Mavic 2 Pro, with less than 20 hours flight time, 5 batteries, for in the order of $950, all told. eBay is on the side of least resistance, damage or liability, financial responsibility to eBay, no-one else.
dylan604 6y ago
I have been a fan of NewEgg if ordering computer gear online. I personally like the fact that they stand up to patent troll law suits and spend the money to actually go to court.
- Mindless2112 6y ago
  As of 2016, NewEgg has been owned by Hangzhou Liaison Interactive Information Technology Co., Ltd. Some people have said the customer service has worsened, though I haven't noticed anything myself. I don't like Chinese companies buying out American companies for brand recognition though. B&H Photo Video has a surprisingly large selection of computer components and the filtering options seem comparable to NewEgg, so I may start buying more parts from there.
  - dylan604 6y ago
    Does that mean that since 2016, they have started to feed the trolls instead of fighting? I honestly don't know who owned them before, so not sure the significance of this ownership change.
    - Mindless2112 6y ago
      Who can say. Different owners may have different priorities.

by akerro 6y ago

Pfhreak 6y ago

This is the year I canceled Prime, and I'm trying to act in solidarity with worker actions (eg no purchases on May 1st). We can debate the merits of individual choices, but collective actions have impact. I wouldn't be surprised to see an anti prime day or cancel prime day organized to coincide with Amazon's retail holiday "Prime Day".

thomaslord 6y ago

Amazon is also a pretty terrible place to buy computer hardware, especially with their track record of shipping terribly-packed hard drives.

kerkeslager 6y ago
And outright counterfeits.
jowsie 6y ago
The benefit of Amazon, at least in the UK, is they will take a return for basically any reason regardless of whether its been opened or not.
- akerro 6y ago
  > The benefit of Amazon, at least in the UK, is they will take a return for basically any reason regardless of whether its been opened or not. Then they package the returned drive correctly and send to you, where it dies 5 months after warranty ended.

throwaway0a5e 6y ago

I'm curious what the reason for avoiding eBay is? They don't seem to be engaging in any of the more egregious behaviors that earn Amazon flak simply by virtue of not having their own product lines and warehouse/distribution system.

Tokiin 6y ago
While true, there's an alarming amount of products on eBay that are just drop-shipped from Amazon. By avoiding Amazon, you have to avoid eBay as well, at least in terms of buying items that are new.
- FireBeyond 6y ago
  And if you want to get byzantine, I've had several Amazon orders that were drop-shipped from Walmart.com, which has at least reminded me that I should comparison shop.
akerro 6y ago
> I'm curious what the reason for avoiding eBay is? Super low quality customer support, eBay is on sellers side as they bring profits, sellers purposely adversative products to sell more then refuse refunds, when I made complaint to eBay eBay got on their side. I have humidifier that not suitable for my needs and has super-low quality filter that's not HEPA as it was described. When I want to buy something cheap of questionable/unidentified quality, I go to aliexpress. I have motorcycle cover that was supposed be XL and fit my motorbike, but got S that covers only top half... seller sent be back 20% of cost, but I still have cover I can't use. GPS tracker that for some reason doesn't work with Orange (and others) SIM cards in the UK, but works in Poland (with Orange SIM). Arduino WiFi that came in original(?) packaging, but was rusted. I can keep going like this... It's been like this since I ever use eBay (~2010), I always lie to myself "this time it won't happen" and it keeps happening.
- FireBeyond 6y ago
  > eBay is on sellers side as they bring profits Amazing how perspective is. I'm 99% a buyer (hundreds of items bought, and three items sold, and never again). I sold a Mavic 2 Pro drone with 5 batteries. The whole process was a mess. Buyer complained that it didn't come with the CrystalSky tablet in one picture (that was added after they started bidding, to show Flight Logs, was explicitly disclaimed as being a part of the package, and was not in the receipts I sent the buyer). After that, three weeks later: "The batteries don't work." "Any of them?" "Nope. I want a refund." Note that two of the batteries were less than 4 months old, still in warranty. He then stated he wanted a refund of $800. Bear in mind, 5 brand new batteries would be $670. No evidence was shown. I stated I'd like to get the original batteries back, as I'd be able to get them replaced under warranty or possibly repaired and recoup some of my money (I was skeptical there was any issue, but still). He agreed. I asked him to send me an eBay message acknowledging that the partial refund was contingent on him sending me the batteries back and that he accepts me disputing the refund if not. He does so. Refund is sent (for about $700, to include his return shipping costs). Less than an hour later I get a message, "USPS says they won't ship damaged batteries so I will not be returning them". I then suggest we meet in person to exchange them (I live a few hours away, not convenient, but still, $700...). He umms and ahhs, "How will I be able to prove that I gave them to you in person?". I suggest we do it in a police station (his local PD suggests people do this for CL, etc.). More umm and ahh. "I need to contact eBay support to see if they recommend this." (eBay has a FAQ page describing how they recommend doing in person sales, and refunds, and documenting it). "I never heard back from them so I'm not sure what to do". I point this out, and he goes silent. I open a dispute. No evidence provided for damage/faulty goods. Multiple instances of the buyer trying to show something/anything was problematic with the listing. Not abiding by agreement, refusing/avoiding any method of returning damage. "We have closed your dispute. Based on our review, the buyer is entitled to a partial refund for damage. He is not required to return the batteries". So he ended up with a Mavic 2 Pro, with less than 20 hours flight time, 5 batteries, for in the order of $950, all told. eBay is on the side of least resistance, damage or liability, financial responsibility to eBay, no-one else.

dylan604 6y ago

I have been a fan of NewEgg if ordering computer gear online. I personally like the fact that they stand up to patent troll law suits and spend the money to actually go to court.

Mindless2112 6y ago
As of 2016, NewEgg has been owned by Hangzhou Liaison Interactive Information Technology Co., Ltd. Some people have said the customer service has worsened, though I haven't noticed anything myself. I don't like Chinese companies buying out American companies for brand recognition though. B&H Photo Video has a surprisingly large selection of computer components and the filtering options seem comparable to NewEgg, so I may start buying more parts from there.
- dylan604 6y ago
  Does that mean that since 2016, they have started to feed the trolls instead of fighting? I honestly don't know who owned them before, so not sure the significance of this ownership change.
  - Mindless2112 6y ago
    Who can say. Different owners may have different priorities.