Suggestions for online shops to avoid amazon

[TooDamnSarky]

For various (fairly obvious) reasons I'd like to switch my online shopping form automatically going to amazon to using smalller companies.

I thought we could have a thread where we list companies that have given good service and ask for recommendations. Don't mind paying slightly extra if it means benefitting from their expertise in getting good quality stuff.

I recently got some fab garden furniture from:
www.plant-theatre.co.uk/

Currently looking for somewhere for small electricals (eg headphones) and seeds.

I hope this is ok to post here - my little boy made a website and has created a Virtual High Street where independents can list their delivery business for free.

Although it’s very new and a small site there are some lovely retailers on there! I must admit I have helped by emailing a couple of favourites and asking them if they’d like to add themselves.

We are shopping small wherever possible now.

It’s online at whatshallwedo.co.uk/delivering-happiness-directory/

Great links. Thanks everyone.

Off to buy some pies...

Can this thread go somewhere where it can be easily found ?

I love Wordery for books, and ebay.

If you are in the North West

themakersmarketshop.co.uk/

For food and crafty bits

Amazon have a section called Amazon handmade where lots of small companies sell products.

I'd far rather not pay Amazon a cut. I'd be interested to know how places like Etsy compare to Amazon from from sellers point of view.

I bought some small electricals from Boxed Tech a couple of weeks ago - their prices, delivery and customer service were excellent. I had never heard of them before but would buy from them again.
boxedtech.com/

Yeah, sorry, I like amazon too.

@Frompcat Today I learned you can send someone an entire cream tea by post! What a great idea for a present, thank you!

www.wild-sage.co.uk for skin & hair care. I’ve been using their shampoo bars & soaps for ages now & they’re worth it for the smells alone! They’re vegan, no palm oil. They’ve got a 20% discount today for World Earth Day with the discount code EARTHDAY.

Great thread.
We’re trying to avoid the takeaway food delivery sites and order direct as they can take 30% (30%!)

@TooDamnSarky I have sold a fair bit on Etsy in the past, it is good but you don't get anywhere near the audience that Amazon does, but then again crafted stuff isn't really something that's listed on Amazon anyway. There are a few nuances like you often have to pay the listing fee even if the item doesn't sell, but the cut they take is fairly low (it used to be 5%), and the listing fee is really small too. I have never had an issue, the site is user friendly as well, but most who sell craft supplies on there would probably love the chance to sell somewhere like Amazon as sales can be slow where it's no way near as well known or popular.

I know it's not a small retailer, but I like to support Waterstones. I love their stores and love that they are still on the high street. We've ordered from them a couple of times during lockdown and they delivered in a few days - we are offshore too.

GAH sorry it won't link! Sellercentral.amazon.co.uk has info, it seems like you can either pay a monthly sub to sell, or pay a % which varies according to the category of the product. Or maybe you pay sub and %, either way it looks more expensive than Etsy, but if you have a lot of stock then it's probably a good platform to sell on in terms of traffic.

Willoughby books - www.thewilloughbybookclub.co.uk/ curated books beautifully packaged. I’ve had great service from them.

I've cancelled prime so I'm less tempted to waste money on there. Wordery looks great!

I've been using etsy for crafts and when my girls were small the mulberry bush was great for kids toys.

I've been spending lots of money on Wolf & Badger since I discovered it. Lots of beautiful quirky (expensive) clothes from small independents all in one place.

Excellent idea!

Can I suggest
For seeds: Seeds of Distinction
For jigsaws : Flametree Publications

Can this thread go somewhere where it can be easily found ?

I agree with this. It would be great to have this somewhere other than Chat so it won't disappear.

I've used Lakeland recently for general household stuff - they always seem quite a caring company.
And Cult Pens for stationery for dds birthday. Came by Royal Mail within a couple of days. I was very impressed.

I cancelled my Amazon account years ago because of the tax issue (still use eBay but nobody's perfect). However since getting an Alexa an reopening an account I have used it but will try not to from now on.

I find their search engine dreadful though and usually still purchase stuff off eBay or smaller sites.

Loads of good second hand book shops on eBay some new condition

If you are avoiding them because of tax reasons then you probably shouldn’t shop at all. Most of them do it. Do you use Dulux paint? I’d stop that right now. They’ve been doing it for years. They even made a large amount of people redundant after implementing it. They are far worse than Amazon

Friendly Soap - soap! With no nasties
Ty Gwyn Cider - for crates of craft cider
Thought, BAM, Howies - ethical clothing, natural fibres
Pong - cheese