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> * today: the Amazon shopping experience is so filled with bullshit that it’s actually easier to buy from the producer’s website and pay shipping I hear this

> * today: the Amazon shopping experience is so filled with bullshit that it’s actually easier to buy from the producer’s website and pay shipping I hear this all the time but it’s rarely true for me. I’ve always searched for alternate stores, promo codes, and other discounts before ordering from Amazon. Many manufacturers have their own web stores, but it’s really rare to find a total price (including shipping) that is actually cheaper than Amazon in my experience. Many hot products have Minimum Advertised Pricing contracts that mean the sale price is identical across every website anyway, at which point it becomes a game of finding some place with a coupon code that is enough to offset the extra shipping costs of not using Amazon. Most of the time, it just doesn’t work out as cheaper than Amazon. I think people underestimate just how expensive warehousing, handling orders, and shipping can be. Amazon has optimized logistics to the point that they can charge people a lot for it and still be cheaper than doing it yourself (up to a certain scale which few companies reach)

hammock 5y ago
The best thing for me (which is terrible for the environment) is the ease of returns. Free returns on just about everything and i don't have to pack it, just drop it off at the Whole Foods down the street.
- dylan604 5y ago
  I'd guess that if you bought quality products from a reputable retailer* that didn't suck, you would probably not be need to use the return option nearly as much. *I no longer consider Amazon a reputable retailer
  - hammock 5y ago
    I mostly pick quality stuff, it has more to do with sizing, colors, etc.
alistairSH 5y ago
I believe the OP was saying buying direct is easier (more likely to get the item you want), not necessarily cheaper.
- PragmaticPulp 5y ago
  I know, but I haven’t found that to be true either. By the time I know what I want to buy, it’s not hard to find it on Amazon. Amazon already has my payment info so it’s a few clicks and I’m done. I don’t understand the argument that it’s easier to find the manufacturer’s website, navigate their web store, and then enter all of my payment and shipping information.
  - dylan604 5y ago
    This just sounds like sheer laziness to me, which of course it is. What you're saying is that you're willing to trade any sense of assured quality for the convenience of not having to do anything other than do the simplest of processes. Granted, this describes the majority of people, but let's at least be willing to admit what it is.
    - PragmaticPulp 5y ago
      > What you're saying is that you're willing to trade any sense of assured quality for the convenience of not having to do anything other than do the simplest of processes. I think you missed my parent comment where I said I devoutly check manufacturer's websites for alternative prices with almost every Amazon purchase I make. And no, I'm not trading "any sense of assured quality" away. I've had more troubles with random 3rd-party vendors than I have with Amazon. I think people are greatly exaggerating the fault rate from Amazon simply because they order so many packages from Amazon. When it comes to things like lost or stolen shipments, I'd much rather deal with Amazon's liberal policies than go to battle with a random web store.
  - alistairSH 5y ago
    Several times now I've ordered something from Amazon and the item delivered wasn't what was ordered. Not even a cheap knock-off, just garbage in a box. For that reason alone, I'm hesitant to use Amazon. I've never had this happen with an order direct from manufacturer, or other retailers like REI or Best Buy.

hammock 5y ago

The best thing for me (which is terrible for the environment) is the ease of returns. Free returns on just about everything and i don't have to pack it, just drop it off at the Whole Foods down the street.

dylan604 5y ago
I'd guess that if you bought quality products from a reputable retailer* that didn't suck, you would probably not be need to use the return option nearly as much. *I no longer consider Amazon a reputable retailer
- hammock 5y ago
  I mostly pick quality stuff, it has more to do with sizing, colors, etc.

alistairSH 5y ago

I believe the OP was saying buying direct is easier (more likely to get the item you want), not necessarily cheaper.

PragmaticPulp 5y ago
I know, but I haven’t found that to be true either. By the time I know what I want to buy, it’s not hard to find it on Amazon. Amazon already has my payment info so it’s a few clicks and I’m done. I don’t understand the argument that it’s easier to find the manufacturer’s website, navigate their web store, and then enter all of my payment and shipping information.
- dylan604 5y ago
  This just sounds like sheer laziness to me, which of course it is. What you're saying is that you're willing to trade any sense of assured quality for the convenience of not having to do anything other than do the simplest of processes. Granted, this describes the majority of people, but let's at least be willing to admit what it is.
  - PragmaticPulp 5y ago
    > What you're saying is that you're willing to trade any sense of assured quality for the convenience of not having to do anything other than do the simplest of processes. I think you missed my parent comment where I said I devoutly check manufacturer's websites for alternative prices with almost every Amazon purchase I make. And no, I'm not trading "any sense of assured quality" away. I've had more troubles with random 3rd-party vendors than I have with Amazon. I think people are greatly exaggerating the fault rate from Amazon simply because they order so many packages from Amazon. When it comes to things like lost or stolen shipments, I'd much rather deal with Amazon's liberal policies than go to battle with a random web store.
- alistairSH 5y ago
  Several times now I've ordered something from Amazon and the item delivered wasn't what was ordered. Not even a cheap knock-off, just garbage in a box. For that reason alone, I'm hesitant to use Amazon. I've never had this happen with an order direct from manufacturer, or other retailers like REI or Best Buy.