Suggestions for online shops to avoid amazon

[TooDamnSarky]

For various (fairly obvious) reasons I'd like to switch my online shopping form automatically going to amazon to using smalller companies.

I thought we could have a thread where we list companies that have given good service and ask for recommendations. Don't mind paying slightly extra if it means benefitting from their expertise in getting good quality stuff.

I recently got some fab garden furniture from:
www.plant-theatre.co.uk/

Currently looking for somewhere for small electricals (eg headphones) and seeds.

[Branleuse]

Ive cancelled my prime after hearing that Bezos has profited from corona by 24bn, so following

[Xiaoxiong]

Small electricals if it's audio visual - Richer Sounds, whose owner transferred 60% of the shares into an Employee Ownership Trust last year so it's now majority owned by its employees. It's not bargain basement, all really great quality stuff, the cheapest headphones are £19 but you know they aren't going to break and they have a brilliant warranty.

Seeds - I'm sure there are loads of good ones out there but I've had luck with Mr Fothergill's, Jekka's Herbs, and I want to order some from Row 7 Seeds.

[DianaT1969]

It's a timely thread OP. If smaller UK businesses, who pay their full corporation here are going to survive, then we need to start supporting them now.
I'm really tired of making the rich richer.
I just searched companies and it makes dismal reading. I had no idea that Boots was USA owned and doesn't have to pay corporation tax. My favourite non-independent coffee shop, Cafe Nero, avoids UK corporation tax too, so I'll have to give them a miss.

[ScarfLadysBag]

I've been getting some lovely furniture and wooden toys from The Great Little Trading Co. Ordered some storage in the sale and it arrives really quickly too. They have some really nice stuff!

www.gltc.co.uk

[sergeantmajor]

What a good idea. I used Amazon Fresh when it was the only way I could get groceries delivered, but have since used osolocal2u (London and part of South East). I like the Richer Sounds suggestion as electricals have suddenly taken on huge importance in my life!

[DianaT1969]

Presumably John Lewis is a good choice as their employees are partners.

[Ladsladslads]

I use Hive for books these days. They are brilliant and support local bookshops too

[BlueChampagne]

Marshalls in Alconbury for seeds, compost etc.

[TooDamnSarky]

Lots of great suggestions. Thanks.

Richer sounds takes me back to student days

[TooDamnSarky]

Hive looks fab!

[Frompcat]

For exercise gear/lounge clothing:

//www.yogamatters.com
//www.bambooclothing.co.uk
Cyber Jammies

For online food delivery:

www.farmison.com/ (meat and fish)
www.firstchoiceproduce.com/ (think they're London and the surrounds only)
iaharrishome.co.uk/
novablooms.com/
Neal's Yard Dairy are doing dairy boxes too

Cake by post:
sugar-tits.co.uk/
www.catfoodcakes.com/

[lifestooshort123]

Yorkshire Trading Company - family run. Ordered cleaning supplies one day and they were delivered the next (by Hermes as well!). I paid 6.99 delivery on £40s worth of aerosols, cloths etc but worth every penny

[Frompcat]

For funky leggings:

www.rainbowsandsprinkles.co.uk/

[Frompcat]

For cream tea delivery:

www.devonheaven.co.uk/collections/cream-teas-by-post/products/medium-cream-tea

Can you tell my main shopping expense is food

[Frompcat]

For chocolates and other treats:

www.bettys.co.uk/

If you're in SE London or nearby The Nunhead Gardener are also delivering seeds etc

[ClaraLane]

For books:
www.biggreenbookshop.com/
www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb

For toys and clothes:
eleandme.com/
yesbebe.co.uk/

[binkyblinky]

I'm an amazon user and read the email update from the uk boss. They have given staff £2 pay rise an hour each which I think is great for the staff, as well as donating to the Red Cross amongst other things. I'll see if I can cut and paste it.

Of course, use the smaller companies, but at least a little good is happening too

[binkyblinky]

Dear valued customer,


Following the announcement of the extended lockdown, we’re all coming to realise that life will be quite different for a while. I wanted to send our heartfelt thanks to the many key workers who are tirelessly supporting the communities around us, and our warmest thoughts to all of you at this difficult time.

Thousands of our co-workers in fulfilment centres, sort centres and delivery stations across the country are working to fulfil your orders. We’ve been humbled by the kind words received in recent weeks in appreciation of their hard work, and wanted to say a huge thank you for your patience and support during this challenging period.

We want to do everything we can to support our employees and the customers and communities we serve throughout this crisis, so I thought I’d share some detail of what we’re doing.

For customers and their families
As one of the many companies playing an essential role at this time, we’re making critical updates to our logistics, transportation, supply chain, purchasing and other processes to ensure you can shop at Amazon.co.uk, have orders delivered to your door, and stay safe at home. Customers will also have more time to return items and we’re also providing contactless delivery. Some of our deliveries may be taking longer than usual and some of your favourite items might not always be available. We hope you’ll bear with us as we do our best to continue to deliver to you during these challenging times.

With more time spent at home, we thought it would be helpful to provide access to free contentt. You can find free eBooks and audiobooks, Amazon Future Engineer virtual coding lessons,, family TV shows, fitness content, plus a selection of Amazon Music playlists and stations. You can also entertain your family for a spell. Just say "Alexa, read Harry Potter Book One' and listen to Harry Potter at home, free from Audible for a limited time.

For our colleagues
Nothing is more important to us than the wellbeing of our employees. With guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO), we’ve made over 150 process changess_ focused on the health and safety of our teams. We’ve increased the frequency and intensity of cleaning at our sites, adjusted our practices so that our employees can observe social distancing measures, and we are providing temperature checks, as well as masks and gloves.

In recognition of their incredible contribution, we’ve increased the pay for employees in our fulfilment centres and delivery roles, adding a further £2 per hour on top of our current starting rate of £10.50 for the London area, and £9.50 for the rest of the UK. In addition, 5,000 new full and part-time positions and delivery jobs have opened across the UK to provide job opportunities for people impacted by the pandemic.

For communities, the NHS and other health organisations
As part of a coalition of companies, universities, and research institutions, we are working with the Government to boost testing capacity for COVID-19.._ Along with other partners, the Amazon logistics network is delivering test kits to diagnostic sites set up around the UK and to NHS staff and others on the front lines of this crisis.

To support those in the UK who are most affected by the COVID-19 crisis, we have committed £3.2 millionn_, including a donation to the British Red Cross and a fund to support local organisations in communities where our employees live and work.

Every one of you is doing your part to save lives - whether that’s by staying home to protect your families, friends and neighbours, or by leaving home to keep the country going as a key worker. We thank you for this, and wish you and your families the very best at this difficult time.

Warm regards,
Doug Gurr
Amazon UK Country Manager

[Kazzyhoward]

I'd like to switch my online shopping form automatically going to amazon to using smalller companies.

You do realise that a huge amount of Amazon stuff is actually being sold by small private firms - Amazon are only acting as the online channel. Most of it is invisible. Obviously, there are those items where they come direct from the supplier and the listing is clear that they're being sold by XYZ Limited, but most are sold via "fulfilled by Amazon" where the small businesses send their stock directly to Amazon warehouses and Amazon sell it as their own, direct from their warehouse, and just take a commission/delivery fee. So by avoiding Amazon, you could well be affecting huge numbers of small firms who use their online platform for their sales.

[TooDamnSarky]

In case like that I tend to try to find the company online and buy direct. Thats how I discovered Plant Theatre.

[sergeantmajor]

It is expensive for small firms to sell on Amazon @Kazzyhoward. The fees wipe out a lot of their margin. So it is better to buy directly from small retailers than via Amazon where possible. Admittedly I have a deeply engrained Amazon habit but I am trying to break it!

[Foxyloxy1plus1]

No good with links but Turner’s Pies are online. They have savoury and sweet pies, steak and ale, chicken and ham, minced beef and onion, sausage, and loads more.

They are award winning and delicious.

[roxyrocky]

I use world of books and also wordery. Found both to be efficient and reliable.

[springydaff]

This is timely! I've just had hell with Amazon in the last few days. I'd dearly love to delete my account but I imagine that would be hellish too and my nerves can't take it.