AIBU to please ask you not to plough even more money into Amazon over this lockdown?

[schitter]

I know, it's cheap and easy.
I know you probably need to find the lowest price you can.
I know it being delivered straight to your door is win win on non essential trips out.

But pleeeasssssse let's not make the richest man in the world any richer than he is already if you have any other option.
Even shopping online with the big high street retailers is better than lining JBs pockets.
Look at those little individual eBay shops that'll no doubt have exactly what you're looking for and you only have to wait a couple of days extra, it's not the end of the world.

Please look around you, please look what else is available.
Lots of your local shops have diversified into offering home delivery because their livelihoods depend on it.

My livelihood depends on it! My little business did 3% (yes, three percent) of its usual sales in April. I permanently laid off 4 staff and haven't made a penny personally since.
I feel sick at the thought.

If there's something you want on Amazon sold by a third party, message them and ask if they sell through any other platforms because you want to support small business but not Amazon. They will be more than happy to direct you to their website, eBay, Etsy, etc.

I don't sell through Amazon any more but when I did, this happened once and I was absofuckinglutely delighted. Amazon can go fuck itself.

Amazon has been my lifeline. We have been shielding since March so have had to use Amazon and ebay for the silliest and smallest of things that the supermarkets do not deliver. However, have used lots of small businesses via Amazon too. I wish you well, OP.

*If there's something you want on Amazon sold by a third party, message them and ask if they sell through any other platforms because you want to support small business but not Amazon. They will be more than happy to direct you to their website, eBay, Etsy, etc.
*

Please don't do this.
If a seller provides this information they are in violation of Amazon selling policy and could be suspended.

I buy lots from Amazon but most of it is things I would otherwise buy from a large chain like Waterstones, Boots, B&Q, Tesco etc
If anything the money I save buying online means I have more cash to spend in local pubs and cafes.

All of you who object to Bezos wealth ,amazon non UK corporation tax do you boycott Top shop, Arcadia Group
Philip Green is a non uk taxpayer and he’s made full use of corporate loopholes to pay less tax

do you boycott Top shop, Arcadia Group

Yes, they treat their staff like shite too.

If a seller provides this information they are in violation of Amazon selling policy and could be suspended.

You can just Google their name

I agree but the problem is that Amazon are just so good at what they do! Especially customer service, any issues or complaints and they will sort it in minutes, always going above and beyond in my experience. I’ve never experienced that elsewhere, especially so with other online retailers, they are light years behind amazon. But that said I am trying to shop more locally and in independent shops. Im a big fan of Etsy. I’m on a very tight budget though so it’s sometimes difficult to justify.

,If there's something you want on Amazon sold by a third party, message them and ask if they sell through any other platforms because you want to support small business but not Amazon. They will be more than happy to direct you to their website, eBay, Etsy, etc.

So get them to violate Amazons sellers terms and conditions and risk losing all the customers they would have got through that platform. That sounds like a fabulous way to support local small independent sellers.

Please don’t advise customers to DM retailers for a sale out with Amazon. It can result in suspension, termination
Plus the amazon brand may increase and elevate a retailer profile and reach, potentially increasing sales

It's too convenient. There's lots of other set ups I don't approve of. And it's very reliable. Unlike some. So I won't be boycotting.

I agree on one hand but on the other, I have Amazon Prime so therefore the kids get to watch videos during lockdown and I get free delivery on lots of items - now that I'm getting all my Christmas shopping in I'm saving a fortune on postage compared to buying numerous separate postage charges. In total honesty I'm very happy with them too. I do still buy things from individual companies too but the bulk of my non grocery shopping comes from Amazon.

Nah, I like Amazon. They do next day delivery on thousands of items. Do you?

I shop Amazon loads
Buy the Kids clothes from supermarkets, primark, H&M, Gap
Shop Arcadia group too

Won’t be changing these habits esp not Amazon

When shops are open, I try to use independent shops as much as possible, even if they’re a little more expensive. With postage costs, it often becomes ridiculous.

There’s a book I’ve wanted for a while. On Amazon, it’s £6.45 with free delivery, my local bookshop is £8.90 + £3.99 delivery. That’s double the Amazon price! I can’t afford to pay double for things.

Amazon generally has next day delivery for books in DP’s first language too, whereas local bookshops (and even Waterstones) offer to order them with a 6+ week wait. I can wait a few days for a specific book, but not weeks!

I have a small business that was booming before Covid- I done it all myself and was so proud of it- I loved it and it made my heart sing!

Now it’s going under and I’m in dire straights! So gutted about the whole thing, it hurts so much how poorly I’m doing sales wise.

I don't have much choice as I have amazon prime, but i do regularly look at ebay. I got a kindle paperwhite in the sale, but the cover on ebay.

We weren't left with a great deal of choice last time! Hardly anywhere else was delivering. Even Next and Waitrose Garden/Home/whatever were closed to deliveries. I think a lot of people probably assumed that if even the big players couldn't function, the smaller shops definitely wouldn't be. However, if you're saying the Small Business Consortium or whoever have declared they'll be ploughing on regardless then they'll definitely have my custom.

Lol sorry- Amazon is convenient for me. I’ve worked throughout lockdown and continue to do so supporting vulnerable people with serious health issues in the community. I work long hours and often go above and beyond for the people I support for no extra pay.

Get off your fcking high horse and stop judging. I don’t have time after a 10 hour day to go out searching for shops when I am exhausted. I order from Amazon because it’s convenient for me. There are LOADS of small independent sellers on Amazon anyway so I suggest you save your lecturing for someone who cares.

Funny how the rudest posters always have saintly jobs, and spare time to post on MN.

I love Amazon. Lovelovelove. I’ve been ripped off on ebay too much, even been charged for stuff that never arrived, and sellers just shrug, I don’t ebay anymore. With Amazon if the product is faulty the money is returned no question asked. I’d like to shop local, and tried it for a bit, but stopped when I got charged £16 for something it turned out Boots sell for £4.50. My local bookshop is overpriced and full of snobs.

I love Amazon 🤷‍♀️

I posted upthread that I do use Amazon but I do wonder if we won’t have shops to browse in in future as everything is moving online and I will be partly to blame.

I love browsing so that would be extremely shit. I wonder if Amazon will ever go into retail premises? 🧐 I imagine it would be like IKEA.

@SentientAndCognisant

All of you who object to Bezos wealth ,amazon non UK corporation tax do you boycott Top shop, Arcadia Group Philip Green is a non uk taxpayer and he’s made full use of corporate loopholes to pay less tax

As would most people.

Unfortunately I am not a millionaire :(

@Autumnblooms

I have a small business that was booming before Covid- I done it all myself and was so proud of it- I loved it and it made my heart sing!

Now it’s going under and I’m in dire straights! So gutted about the whole thing, it hurts so much how poorly I’m doing sales wise.

sorry to read this

Amazon is cheap, and I can’t afford to pay more for the same stuff.