Should we feel guilty about using Amazon?

[Tierne]

I order about once a week, I've read the arguments for and against. I just feel like a lazy cow!

YABU = Dont feel guilty
YANBU = Feel guilty

Got to say if there was a war on the government could totally get Amazon to handle all the supplies and logistics!

My situation is that I live in the middle of nowhere. Amazon can deliver things I need urgently the next day that I would need to drive 80 miles or more (there and back) to fetch myself.

I haven’t got the time and the planet doesn’t need my petrol fumes.

I worked as QA in a food manufacturing warehouse and it was very restrictive, other warehouses will be the same

I avoid amazon as much as I can. I don't want to make such a rich man even richer. And I don't want local shops to disappear.

When I need to buy something, I first try my local shops. Then I try online small businesses or John lewis online
Then I try ebay.

I buy something from amazon about 3 times a year using my sister's prime account (thanks sis!).

@Applebark wow that's a lot of assumptions you've made there!!

amazon will know what I look for on Amazon & what I buy.

it'll have NO IDEA where I work, who my friends are or what programs I watch. NONE.

Buying stuff of Amazon has NOTHING to do with Alexa or Ring doorbells.

It'll be interesting how charges increase for petrol for delivery guys. Postie is passing anyway- makes more sense to use them.
Then there's all the packaging - how many trees are chopped for the cardboard!

I won't use them.
I hate that they dodge tax, I hate that they treat their staff awfully and I don't to give Bezo my money.

A lot of our extended family do, I'm not judging just not my choice.

There is an Amazon warehouse close to where I live. They have brought jobs and business to a rundown area.

I don't understand why people get uppity about Amazon. I don't think any global corporation can be considered moral or ethical TBH.

I don't feel guilty using them because they sell what I want and provide a good service.

It may be that they need to pay more tax but they certainly pay some tax (eg employers' NI) and provide a lot of jobs.

I don't use Alexa or Ring, I just use the website to buy things.

I am not always so enamoured with the call to use independents, they usually have capricious opening times and don't have the same guarantees etc that the chains do. There are exceptions, eg a local electrical store which is 100 times better than Currys, and a bike shop which is great but expensive. However, I would for example rather get my clothes from a chain (or buy second hand chain items on ebay).

I don't feel guilty at all! I'm a mum of 2 (third on the way) so the convenience of having what we need brought to our door (usually the next day thanks to prime!) is marvellous! There are pros and cons to everything in life.

There are huge numbers of small businesses who sell via the Amazon platform and use their "fulfilled by Amazon" service. That's no different to them using their own websites or Ebay. Amazon also employ enormous numbers of warehouse, admin and delivery workers. I really don't get the hate for Amazon. Buy something from their platform and the chances are it's from a small UK business who are paying all their taxes, employing staff etc.

A lot of what I buy from Amazon is delivered by Royal Mail - no difference.

Most mail order stuff is packed in boxes - no difference.

Not sure why you think there's any difference in buying from Amazon for those reasons!

My sister works for Amazon in the US (not in a warehouse, but fairly low paying and it is shift work which suits her). They provide excellent healthcare package which saves her a bundle as she has a child with medical needs.
So no don't feel guilty at all. They are a way for a lot of small businesses to get exposure.
It's up to the government to make sure they pay taxes (and close loopholes).

I've read a lot of stuff I don't like about Amazon, but they do provide a good service so I find it hard to feel guilty.

@User148563 very true but the thread was about Amazon

I always look for an alternative as sometimes it's cheaper than amazon. But if not I go for it.

The question is where you draw the line as poor warehouse conditions for workers aren't confined to Amazon. Do you buy from ASOS for example (just as bad)?

It’s very difficult to draw the line as there’s a warehouse lurking behind alot of produce we buy. I’ve worked in warehouses (which were pretty bad)but never had to work a 10hr shift with the kind of monitoring/targets that Amazon workers endure.

Amazon is a hugely successful company with purpose built facilities which don’t provide enough basic facilities in proximity to all of its workers. Their warehouse safety record has also caused concern. So, yes, I feel guilty if I order something directly from them and try to buy elsewhere.

No I’ve never bought from ASOS and don’t buy alot of new products online.

Nope. They won the game fair and square.

If the high street worked better for consumers there would be no need to use Amazon. Have you tried buying a swimming costume out of season on the high street ? It’s a pain in the arse. Plus paying for parking and battling the crowds . Amazon works so I will continue to use it guilt free.

Exactly - how many people are buying cheap clothing from the likes of BooHoo or Misguided or Pretty Little Thing? Have they never read any of the news stories about the factories in the UK in which this sort of clothing is made, and the horrendous conditions and pay the workers get?

Amazon - like McDonalds - get unfairly slated IMO because they’re big and visible. And those who have an axe to grind against them (maybe rightly) know that they’ll get media attention if they speak out. Someone earning pennies an hour in a Leicester sweatshop doesn’t have that option, not least because they can’t afford to lose their illegal job.

Amazon absolutely saved my arse during lockdown. I live nowhere near a boots/superdrug/supermarket. I was able to get my essential toiletries such as eye drops and curly hair gel delivered in two days. Superdrug had long delivery times, and Boots had a queue just to get onto the website.

Now I have a young baby it can be difficult to get out the house every day. They’ve been a God send for essentials.

I don't feel guilty if I use Amazon - can't afford to not use them if an item I need is cheaper.

I know someone who boycotts them on principle, but she's wealthy so it's easy for her.

4 kids and no car plus work full time. Honestly without amazon it would be a lot harder! I don't want to drag them around the town etc every time we need something big or small. If I can get it in the supermarket I do but that's an one shop too.

If they found a loop hole Re taxes etc That's up to them and nothing to do with me. And I say that as someone who runs a small business and seems to be in debt paying taxes. If I could find a way around it so I could pay people more I would! But the tax man takes a lot from us!

I use Amazon, I don't feel guilt about using it the same way I don't feel guilty about using big chain supermarkets rather than butcher's and greengrocers. I'm a single parent working full time and I don't have a car. I don't have the time, energy or money to go shopping around when I can pay £8 a month to get anything I want cheaply and next day.

I don't think 'better for the environment' is correct!

Amazon has a horrendous environmental impact.