Screw Amazon, leave your favourite independent shop links here, please!

[Blackbird1234]

I'm adamant not to buy any Christmas gifts on Amazon at all this year, so am looking for online independent shops and am making a massive list of them that I can come back to every Xmas from now on.

I thought it could be good to start a thread where everyone can link their favourite online shops. Absolutely any genre welcome!

Great idea...that someone already did (it's in the Christmas topic)

I keep seeing this 'boycott Amazon' posted all over.

Do People not realise how many small businesses sell on Amazon?

I also spend wayyy too much money on Amazon but there are a lot of small businesses on the platform. Not all small business have their own website.

@ZeroFuchsGiven

I keep seeing this 'boycott Amazon' posted all over.

Do People not realise how many small businesses sell on Amazon?

This...

Who cares if you’ve decided not to use Amazon anymore? Do you think that makes you more superior to those that do?

@ZeroFuchsGiven

I keep seeing this 'boycott Amazon' posted all over.

Do People not realise how many small businesses sell on Amazon?

This ^ or do those small businesses not count as independents because they dared to diversify and use Amazon as a selling platform in thr same way millions have also used Etsy?

@nemeton Oh, I didn't even realise that there was a Christmas topic! Thanks, I'll have a look now :)

@ZeroFuchsGiven I do indeed realise that, I'd just much rather go directly to them rather than through Amazon.

@Toniiiii I buy presents on Amazon every single year, so would like a change and understand that almost the whole world have been shopping on Amazon this year, so would like to visit other websites :)

@DickBastardly Well, your name speaks for itself... No, nothing makes me better than anyone else, I've simply decided I don't want to shop on Amazon and am asking if anyone has any favourite websites. That's all.

As a disclaimer, I understand that a lot of small businesses are on Amazon, I just personally don't want to use Amazon this year, so am looking for recommendations.

Flamingo Paperie. Lovely cards and wrapping paper etc. (Old Phoenix Trading. )

www.mrssnowballsbb.com/bath-bombs

Amazing bath bombs.

www.hive.co.uk - a great alternative to Amazon for books, and they donate a small amount to a local bookshop of your choosing with each purchase.

@missmouse101 Thank you, I'll check them out now :)

For those interested, I think that this is the thread that @nemeton referred to above! www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas/4034228-Independent-online-shops

@SallySolardel @SaffyWall Thank you both! Bath bombs will be perfect and so will the book shop, it seems lovely!

I've already found and bookmarked the independent list on the Christmas topic - as @nemeton said, such a good idea some one else already had it!

Re Amazon, I frequently browse on it. Look at reviews. Make a careful note of the actual seller. Then close Amazon and open up their own web page and place my order direct. Pretty often I'll pick up a new customer discount too!

Jeff Bezos is rich enough already and seems to be almost as unpleasant a person as Trump.

Also, really good cheese www.mousehousecheese.co.uk/browse/gifts-and-hampers/

and amazing salami and things chiltern-charcuterie.co.uk/shop/

@QueenOfLabradors Yes, I've now found the thread and am adding all of the shops to my list, there are some beautiful gifts out there! I'm definitely going to copy you and make note of the seller, that's such a great idea. I agree about Jeff Bezos!

I think a lot of small sellers on Amazon also sell on eBay. If I order from eBay, it often comes in Amazon wrapping. I go for eBay as I also avoid Amazon.

The London Yarn Company -

londonyarn.co.uk

This independant shop sells wonderful hand dyed yarn and wools and knitting needles and kits and books via mail order and through the shop. Lynsey (the owner) is really helpful if you need advice.

OP thank you! I saw the original thread last week and was frantically searching for it again. I didn't realise it was in the Christmas section.
Great idea to support small businesses.

www.rockways-online.co.uk :)

Lovely bath stuff and lots of other gifty things!

DS works for them, I’m not boycotting!

Lots of sellers use Amazon and they employ a huge amount of people so won’t be boycotting plus it’s often too expensive to go elsewhere especially as most charge for delivery. They also donate to a chosen charity when you shop with them so an added benefit.

I will use Amazon but happy to find new independent shops too.

I've just bought a chess set and board from two different independent sellers on Amazon. I'd not have bought directly from them as I'm always hesitant to use a company I've not heard of and know no-one that's used them. So buying via Amazon gives them more sales.

@SallySolardel thanks for the links. I've just ordered ds1 a hamper. He'll love it. He's 23 and has his own house. Loves fancy food

A lovely lady in my village makes the BEST body scrub/ bath salts!!

So lucky she's half a mile away and therefore I get free delivery!

www.larochelabeille.co.uk/