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.

@notalwaysalondoner

How does one differentiate on amazon between small businesses that are using it as a platform and the amazon behemoth?

Look for items being sold as a 3rd party seller

No, great sentiment but not financially viable for me not to use.

I agree we should support local businesses where possible, but the reality is that now Amazon is here, there's no going back. I don't think a week goes by where I don't buy something on Amazon, but I rarely go to town these days (even less since covid). Smaller businesses can't compete, and Amazon has grown even bigger since the pandemic and will continue to grow.

OP, some eBay sellers buy from Amazon and the order gets delivered as a gift straight to the customer. I've experienced it.

Not everything is black and white
I am disabled with Cerebral Palsy, I rely on online shopping with reliable customer service and delivery so Amazon frequently deliver to my door
On chatting to the delivery guy this morning, he's very grateful to still have a job and their nearby warehouse employs thousands where the previous industry has long gone

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.

I use Amazon and Etsy and NOTHS often buying from small businesses that way who wouldn't survive otherwise. YABU dictating where people shouldn't buy from.

So sorry for all the businesses in such difficulties, it’s a terrible situation for all of you, but there’s no way to shop for Christmas without using Amazon. I will be working through lockdown and don’t have the time or energy to go to the shops.

@Iseeyoulookingatme

I have a small business and sell on Amazon as do many other small businesses. It is a trading platform like all other websites. I also sell on other platforms such as Etsy and ebay. If I didn't have sales through these websites I wouldn't survive.

& you're far from the only one.

@schitter
It's all very well to hit out at others, but it just hurts others & doesn't fix your own
problem. Im sorry things are tough/impossible.

@Iseeyoulookingatme
I hope you get sufficient sales to keep you going!!

There is absolutely a way to shop for Christmas without using Amazon. There are plenty of other online businesses out there!

OP I couldn't agree with you more. I understand it is a platform for small businesses but I am still uncomfortable with their business practices, their employment practices and their tax practices.

Is no-one else bothered by the monopoly aspect, or the fact that the UK tax take is reduced because of so many buying on Amazon?

I'm currently working ridiculous hours trying to keep up with my job. I have three children who need me. You can bet I use the Amazon app to buy stuff as and when I think of them so I can at least try to carry on as normal.

Whilst I do see your point, I paid a lot for Amazon prime. I lost my job due to COVID. I am home alone with a toddler. If I need something, why would I pay more somewhere else? Or wait for delivery when I’ve already forked out £70 for next day?

What are the mumsnet rules on advertising? Is the OP allowed to tell us what her business is, and a website?

So, while not amazing, it's far better than thousands of other employers up and down the country who pay minimum wage.

And ironically the ones who do pay the absolute minum wage and zero hour contracts are the small independant shops.

You do know there are small businesses on Amazon, right?

I am afraid amazon is cheap, quick and great on returns although I acknowledge the evilness of non tax paying. When buying for Christmas, please remember sites like Etsy, not on the High Street, Folksy and MadeMe as they are packed with unique lovingly made items.

Is no-one else bothered by the monopoly aspect, or the fact that the UK tax take is reduced because of so many buying on Amazon?

I'm sure they will be in a few years time when everything is 'normal' prices and prime is more expensive, because there is less of a market to compete against.

I am not wealthy so I can't afford shopping in local shops overpaying for something that could be much cheaper online. At least where I live local shops aren't for bargain shopping. I also don't always shop online but if I have to then I try to find the best deal.

Totally with you on this. I just saw an article about how Stanford’s the travel bookshop is at risk of closure. There is now a book buying website that only sells from independent book sellers. I’m really going to avoid Amazon from now on. I can’t bear the thought of them benefitting from another lockdown!

And ironically the ones who do pay the absolute minum wage and zero hour contracts are the small independant shops.

Not always, and the reason many are is because they have had to lower the cost of their items as much as possible to have a hope of surviving, an affect of places like Amazon.

Pre-covid research demonstrated that for every job created at Amazon 2.4 were lost on the high street. And their employment practices are deeply dodgy especially in the States.

I buy from local businesses where I can but it tends to be more for luxury items that I wouldn't get on Amazon.

I wouldn't be without Amazon now though. Cant beat them for sheer convenience of same or next day delivery.

As pp have said lots of small businesses use them & they're a huge employer themselves.

Yeah no its a nice sentiment but im sorry I dont have time and money to waste

You can sell on amazon they give you 30 days free usually so just in time for lockdown

Blame the government that put us all in this position

Are people allowed to post their small business websites on here? There could be a thread for posters with small businesses, if allowed?