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Original poster

AIBU to ask for alternatives to Amazon for online shopping?

23 replies

Anendlessseriesofunfortunateevents · 23/09/2026 07:11

To ask for alternatives to Amazon?

We're a family of autistics that hate shops for sensory reasons so I won't lie, I've relied on amazon a lot over the years for online shopping.

But I'm feeling less and less comfortable with giving them our money, for so many reasons.

Can we perhaps compile a list of online shopping options that DONT allow rich men to get richer whilst exploiting poorer people as staff, shredding books for AI, and ruining our planet?

Things I often order on amazon:

Used books. (Ive not done for a while though. Have been using abebooks recently).

Clothing.

Household hardware type bits.

Gardening tools.

Toys.

Toiletries.

OP posts:
Sausagenbacon · 23/09/2026 07:12

I buy books through Hive, who donate to a local bookshop of your choice

lovepets · 23/09/2026 07:13

World Of Books is brilliant for used books

FfsNotNow · 23/09/2026 07:14

Second for World of books - great site

BigYellowBus · 23/09/2026 07:14

Abebooks is owned by Amazon. Maybe us WeBuyBooks or eBay

Dabralor · 23/09/2026 07:15

Love World of Books!

Meredusoleil · 23/09/2026 07:17

I use ebay or Vinted when I can't get free delivery on Amazon (don't have Prime).

Meredusoleil · 23/09/2026 07:18

You could also try Gumtree if you dont mind things not being new?

TheMarriageOfAirAndFrock · 23/09/2026 07:18

I’ve never bought, or even considered buying, clothes from Amazon.

Go over to MN Style & Beauty board and read some threads. You’ll find countless sites mentioned.

itsgettingatadchill · 23/09/2026 07:18

Sorry op, I don’t really know the answer but I feel the same regarding the exploitation of the poorer staff and the power that the billionaires have. I hate the sheer convenience of Amazon has its so simple that it’s always the easy choice.
I order used books from world of books and I buy the majority of my clothes from Vinted. Regarding toys and toiletries, could look at an online supermarket? Would you venture to charity shops at quieter times for clothes/toys?

HarDeHarHar · 23/09/2026 07:19

Most stuff on amazon is also on ebay

Plasticchesse · 23/09/2026 07:23

I buy a lot of clothes from next. They do a lot of brands and it’s £20 a year of next day deliveries. No idea how ethical next is in the scheme of things. Good for tights, socks, gifts.

ViaRia01 · 23/09/2026 07:23

I don’t know whether this is ethically any better to be honest but my new go-to for hardware stuff, home utility stuff, gardening (as well as children’s toys, some homeware, children’s clothes) is Argos. Nice and easy to order online, then pick up without too much hustle and bustle in store

parietal · 23/09/2026 07:25

B and Q or Robert dyas cover all the tools and garden stuff online

JennyChawleigh · 23/09/2026 07:31

Bigjigs is good for toys

MotherOfCrocodiles · 23/09/2026 07:31

If I was to switch from Amazon, it would need to be to a company who deliver as well. Ie they leave it on the step if you are out (so not Royal Mail), take it to the correct address (so not Evri then), show up in the correct timeframe (not Next I’m afraid, although I still shop there, “next day” seems to mean “next week”). Of course other companies exist but if I’m going to end up chasing my packages all over town, it just doesn’t work for me :-/

saynotofondant · 23/09/2026 07:37

ViaRia01 · 23/09/2026 07:23

I don’t know whether this is ethically any better to be honest but my new go-to for hardware stuff, home utility stuff, gardening (as well as children’s toys, some homeware, children’s clothes) is Argos. Nice and easy to order online, then pick up without too much hustle and bustle in store

Seconding Argos

OneOpalOwl · 23/09/2026 07:40

Argos is great and I think people really underutilise it.

For toiletries, can’t go wrong with good old Boots.

ThatBoilsMyBagels · 23/09/2026 07:42

Etsy, but try to make sure it's the actual craftsperson you're buying from. There's a lot of AI art on there these days, too.

Summerhillsquare · 23/09/2026 07:42

Vinted. Robert Dyas. Or if you want to get really committed, Ethical Superstore.

Original poster
Anendlessseriesofunfortunateevents · 23/09/2026 17:34

TheMarriageOfAirAndFrock · 23/09/2026 07:18

I’ve never bought, or even considered buying, clothes from Amazon.

Go over to MN Style & Beauty board and read some threads. You’ll find countless sites mentioned.

The clothes from amazon tend to be for one of my sons who will only wear one specific brand and type of shoes, shorts etc. 🤣* *

My clothes aren't from amazon. Im not a high end fashionista or anything but trying to get my eldest to go clothes shopping would be hideous. And pointless as he just replaces like for like when things wear out.

OP posts:
Original poster
Anendlessseriesofunfortunateevents · 23/09/2026 17:38

Thank everyone!

I never realised abebooks is owned by amazon. I do use worldofbooks too so I'll just stick to them in the future. I also use my local library lots.

I do like charity shops and vinted but can't always make those options work in a timely manner. I do try to though.

Agree next and argos can be handy for online orders.

I need to try to be a little more organised too eg with my tesco deliveries so I don't run out of stuff.

OP posts:
MissBattleaxe · 23/09/2026 17:39

OneOpalOwl · 23/09/2026 07:40

Argos is great and I think people really underutilise it.

For toiletries, can’t go wrong with good old Boots.

Edited

True. Argos is like instant Amazon, except you're not funding some dickhead who builds spaceships while his workers can't have a toilet break. There's one in our Sainsburys and anything you can't find, you can get in minutes at the Argos counter. Also they deliver, if you don't fancy going.

For toiletries, I'd recommend Savers online. They only charge £2 for postage and they do everything from toiletries to cleaning products.

TheBookShelf · 23/09/2026 18:58

Whilst Abebooks is owned by Amazon, it remains an independent subsidiary and the majority selling on there are independent sellers.

I use:
World of Books
Ebay
Argos
John Lewis click and collect for some household stuff

Also there is Bookshop.org, whose proceeds help to support independent bookshops. I haven't tried it yet, but a friend has recommended .

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