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For those that want to follow, what are good online shopping alternatives? I find that most people I talk to are drawn to Amazon simply because Amazon has mana

by 0xEF 3y ago

For those that want to follow, what are good online shopping alternatives? I find that most people I talk to are drawn to Amazon simply because Amazon has managed to set an expectation of fast deliver, often as little as same-day delivery in areas that have a warehouse nearby (like the one I live in). I make every effort to shop local, or find alternative places to order online, but one cannot argue the convenience Amazon has created when it comes to speed and selection. I say that being an old fart who remembers when 6-8 weeks was standard delivery time. Note I am not defending Amazon, abd frankly, I despise what they have done. The warehouse in my town was build about 6 years ago, and it has definitely had an impact on small businesses combined with the presence of chain retail giants. In most cases, when I need a specific tool for a job, or am trying to find out-of-season product (both happened recently), I have no choice but to turn to Amazon. This may speak to the larger problem of the busy life we have built (or allowed to be built for us?), but perhaps that is another discussion.

dtx1 3y ago
I often buy things on ebay. At least here in germany it's filled with offers from small to medium sized companies that offer usually cheaper or equivalent prices to amazon.
- deadbunny 3y ago
  I do find it amusing that back in the day eBay was considered a scammers paradise and now I find it more trustworthy then Amazon.
blagie 3y ago
I recently switched to Walmart Plus. For me, on the whole, it's better: - Shipping times are faster than Amazon. I do consistently see same-day delivery, whereas Amazon almost never did, and had frequent delays (in my area) - Less of a problem with comingling / fakes - Returns work better. - So far, no broken / damaged packaging. Amazon would e.g. toss delicate items, a heavy bottle of detergent, and sharps in the same box with no packaging, with the expected results. On the downside: - It's slightly more expensive. On the whole, went accounting for broken / damaged items, fakes, etc., I still think I come out ahead. - Less selection of esoteric items. I just order those from Aliexpress, Amazon, or eBay (and wait until I get up to $35 free shipping for the former). Amazon never shipped those quickly in either case. This was not based on unions or ethics. Amazon worked great for me through 2020. It broke in 2020, and since then, I've had consistent issues. Customer service is also no longer empowered to resolve issues.
- plagiarist 3y ago
  Yeah, this one works okay for you, but I don't see someone making a switch from Amazon to Walmart if they're concerned about unions or ethics.
foresto 3y ago
Target, Costco, and Newegg (for certain items) come to mind has having good prices and return policies.
- ta8645 3y ago
  Costco in particular, treat their employees quite well.
- UtopiaPunk 3y ago
  Target is also notorious for union-busting tactics.
FridayNightTV 3y ago
> For those that want to follow, what are good online shopping alternatives? In Blighty, Argos. No counterfeit stuff (which frankly, should be a given), same day delivery and a good network of bricks'n'mortar shops (with pick-up and drop-off) if you need it. http://www.argos.co.uk/ http://www.argos.co.uk/
- bambataa 3y ago
  If you are concerned by the ethics of Amazon I don’t see how Argos is a step up: https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/news/argos-buzz-bingo-and-chanel-among-fines-for-minimum-wage-violations https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/news/argos-buzz-bingo-a... https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/business/union-takes-legal-action-against-369661 https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/business/union-takes-l...
viraptor 3y ago
Check the more direct producers/distributors. Either the producer itself is likely to list the shops stocking their stuff, or sell it directly. Worst case, just search for "buy (the thing you want) (location)" and you'll likely find a place. Otherwise, eBay is quite good around my area.
pawelwentpawel 3y ago
In Poland, the major competitor to Amazon is Allegro (https://allegro.pl/ https://allegro.pl/). It's an online shopping platform that is not as centralised as Amazon. It's more of a marketplace where both small and larger sellers can list their items. In tandem with InPost (which has lockers spread around entire country), Allegro creates a great and efficient online shopping experience. The only drawback for me really is that sometimes if you order a numer of things, they will all come shipped separately.
- ryukoposting 3y ago
  > The only drawback for me really is that sometimes if you order a numer of things, they will all come shipped separately. Amazon does this too. My fiancée frequently places one order for 5-6 items and receives 3-4 different packages throughout the week.
developer93 3y ago
I often use Amazon to search & then just search the brand online, often you can but direct from them

by 0xEF 3y ago

dtx1 3y ago

I often buy things on ebay. At least here in germany it's filled with offers from small to medium sized companies that offer usually cheaper or equivalent prices to amazon.

deadbunny 3y ago
I do find it amusing that back in the day eBay was considered a scammers paradise and now I find it more trustworthy then Amazon.

blagie 3y ago

I recently switched to Walmart Plus. For me, on the whole, it's better: - Shipping times are faster than Amazon. I do consistently see same-day delivery, whereas Amazon almost never did, and had frequent delays (in my area) - Less of a problem with comingling / fakes - Returns work better. - So far, no broken / damaged packaging. Amazon would e.g. toss delicate items, a heavy bottle of detergent, and sharps in the same box with no packaging, with the expected results. On the downside: - It's slightly more expensive. On the whole, went accounting for broken / damaged items, fakes, etc., I still think I come out ahead. - Less selection of esoteric items. I just order those from Aliexpress, Amazon, or eBay (and wait until I get up to $35 free shipping for the former). Amazon never shipped those quickly in either case. This was not based on unions or ethics. Amazon worked great for me through 2020. It broke in 2020, and since then, I've had consistent issues. Customer service is also no longer empowered to resolve issues.

plagiarist 3y ago
Yeah, this one works okay for you, but I don't see someone making a switch from Amazon to Walmart if they're concerned about unions or ethics.

foresto 3y ago

Target, Costco, and Newegg (for certain items) come to mind has having good prices and return policies.

ta8645 3y ago
Costco in particular, treat their employees quite well.
UtopiaPunk 3y ago
Target is also notorious for union-busting tactics.

FridayNightTV 3y ago

> For those that want to follow, what are good online shopping alternatives? In Blighty, Argos. No counterfeit stuff (which frankly, should be a given), same day delivery and a good network of bricks'n'mortar shops (with pick-up and drop-off) if you need it. http://www.argos.co.uk/ http://www.argos.co.uk/

bambataa 3y ago
If you are concerned by the ethics of Amazon I don’t see how Argos is a step up: https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/news/argos-buzz-bingo-and-chanel-among-fines-for-minimum-wage-violations https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/news/argos-buzz-bingo-a... https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/business/union-takes-legal-action-against-369661 https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/business/union-takes-l...

viraptor 3y ago

Check the more direct producers/distributors. Either the producer itself is likely to list the shops stocking their stuff, or sell it directly. Worst case, just search for "buy (the thing you want) (location)" and you'll likely find a place. Otherwise, eBay is quite good around my area.

pawelwentpawel 3y ago

In Poland, the major competitor to Amazon is Allegro (https://allegro.pl/ https://allegro.pl/). It's an online shopping platform that is not as centralised as Amazon. It's more of a marketplace where both small and larger sellers can list their items. In tandem with InPost (which has lockers spread around entire country), Allegro creates a great and efficient online shopping experience. The only drawback for me really is that sometimes if you order a numer of things, they will all come shipped separately.

ryukoposting 3y ago
> The only drawback for me really is that sometimes if you order a numer of things, they will all come shipped separately. Amazon does this too. My fiancée frequently places one order for 5-6 items and receives 3-4 different packages throughout the week.

developer93 3y ago

I often use Amazon to search & then just search the brand online, often you can but direct from them