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Ethical living

Discover eco friendly brands and sustainable fashion on our Ethical Living forum.

Suggestions for online shops to avoid amazon

228 replies

TooDamnSarky · 21/04/2020 09:36

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.

OP posts:
Bounceyflouncey · 24/04/2020 07:22

@Coronacantcope these are fab:

www.sponge.co.uk

Defiantly41 · 24/04/2020 07:31

@ByGrabtharsHammerWhatASavings @CuteOrangeElephant John Lewis sell haberdashery online, you can click & collect at your nearest Waitrose (and maybe Booths or the Co-op if no Waitrose close by)

They also sell paint and wallpaper

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 24/04/2020 07:32

World of Books.

Used but often in excellent condition and free delivery.

WingBingo · 24/04/2020 07:34

I use this company for plastic free Ethical beauty products

www.sojust.co.uk/

Knowwhentorun · 24/04/2020 08:08

I usually avoid Facebook, but loads of local independent shops have been advertising click and collect or delivery options. I’ve spent quite a bit locally on bits that I would otherwise had bought from amazon.

TooDamnSarky · 24/04/2020 12:42

This thread is making me want to shop!

Step away from the credit card...

OP posts:
browneyesblue · 24/04/2020 12:51

@Coronacantcope we got a fantastic birthday cake from www.lolascupcakes.co.uk - DS can’t have dairy, so they made a gorgeous vegan choc fudge. They are in North London and deliver

Suggestions for online shops to avoid amazon
xsquared · 24/04/2020 17:06

Has there been suggestions for where to buy sports wear? I'm going running more often and I'd like another pair of running shorts with a zip but don't want to buy from Sports DIrect or Amazon if I can help it.
Thanks in advance.

TooDamnSarky · 24/04/2020 18:10

Bumping for sportswear suggestions...

OP posts:
Trolltoes · 24/04/2020 18:18

Try BAM for bamboo sportswear

Meckity1 · 24/04/2020 19:24

I use eBay a lot. Seriously a lot. Most of my nectar points come from there. I say that eBay is my friend.

You can get new clothes, plants, handmade soap, second hand books and all sorts. I've bought spices, pans, teapots and furniture from there. I'm usually careful to check 'uk only' and to pay attention to the type of listing, but it's worth a go. And if you buy using PayPal you get a lot of protection (though nothing is foolproof)

TooDamnSarky · 25/04/2020 11:03

I've heard good things about Sweaty Betty sport wear but haven't bought from them myself.

OP posts:
VanillaSpiceCandle · 25/04/2020 11:09

@xsquared I ordered a load of sports stuff, leggings, sports bras, tops etc from ASOS. It’s taking much longer for delivery but want to support them. There’s a massive sale too.

UltimateIrritant · 25/04/2020 11:15

Not perhaps essential shopping but had brilliant product and after care service from Home and Roost.
Wildlife, bird and small animal supplies, food, bedding and accommodation
Here
Bought a hedgehog house and they have since sent hedgehog care advice which has proved very useful.

xsquared · 25/04/2020 11:17

Thank you for the suggestions.

Lemonsand · 25/04/2020 11:23

Do people not realise amazon employ a hell of a lot of staff? If everyone stops using them that's a lot of people out of work!

TheGreatWave · 25/04/2020 11:28

I am sure that Amazon isn't too bothered by the lack of custom from me.

For others, Amazon doesn't always have to be the go to choice. Maybe just a bit more balance?

EmpressMcSchnozzle · 25/04/2020 13:01

Some brilliant suggestions on here, bookmarking this thread!

We're also looking for alternatives to Amazon as we've been truly appalled at the way they've treated their staff through this (and before, but now it's even worse), and the huge amounts they make per minute, plus the derisory donation they gave to the booksellers' fund (the profession they've managed to pretty much destroy), their lack of tax payments, and the fact they've now effectively turned into Blue Sun from Serenity....we like:

&Keep for green things
Lakeland (although they do use Hermes as the courier, which gets a thumbs down as one of our Hermes couriers is an absolute harpy; the other one's lovely, but you never know which one you're going to get - if I know the courier rep is bad, it can stop me ordering with companies)
Petsathome
Argos for some things (though we try to get them elsewhere first and we buy a lot of reconditioned or second hand electronics where we can)
Pipers Farm for meat, Abel & Cole and our local community farm for eggs/dairy/fish/veg/fruit - we were just about to sign up to Milk & More when Lockdown hit and we know there is a local farm where you can take your own bottles and buy milk direct
Gourmet Chocolate Pizza company (I think that's their name anyway)
Alibris for used books (we used to use Abe until Amazon swallowed that up as well)
Kobo for ebooks (definitely going to check out Hive as well now)

We do try to buy local a lot anyway, and when this is over, or at least Lockdown released temporarily, we'll be making even more of an effort to do so.

Other half does a lot of art and craft work alongside the day job, and we were all set to start selling and going to craft fairs literally just as Lockdown hit - we're trying to investigate selling on Amazon but God, it's expensive, and their customer service, when you're a seller, is abysmal.

They've charged us 2 months "tax" already even though they haven't actually approved us to sell! Years ago I used to occasionally sell textbooks through Amazon (just my own old ones, nothing systematic) and I found I ended up paying more in fees than I got for the books. I also know someone who is signed up with Amazon's affiliate marketing scheme (not me), and their commission on purchases is being cut by 50 to 70% so they're also actively looking for other options right now.

BikeRunSki · 25/04/2020 14:24

Can anyone recommend anywhere to get school supplies - graph paper and A4 exercise books in particular.

nearlynermal · 25/04/2020 14:55

Nonna Tonda in London, for a weekly delivery of ready-to assemble fresh pasta. nonnatonda.co.uk

browneyesblue · 25/04/2020 19:09

@BikeRunSki I buy lots of school supplies from www.rapidonline.com - it's an electronics business, but they have an education section. My last couple of orders arrived next working day, and I've bought pens, pencils, brushes, erasers, sharpeners, etc, as well as science stuff like litmus paper, pipettes and petri dishes. Some of the stuff is ridiculously cheap - I love browsing for a bargain (what a thrilling life!)

BikeRunSki · 25/04/2020 19:32

@browneyeblue - thank you. Looks like a great resource to know about.

dontcallmelen · 25/04/2020 19:56

Another recommendation for richer sounds, excellent company.
Handmade soap/moisturisers etc , all natural ingredients small one person business in Kent, but will post out anywhere in the country beautiful products www.louloubella.co.uk

Clementine8 · 25/04/2020 20:08

I’d also recommend richer sounds. We’ve bought quite a lot from them over the years, good guarantees and friendly and knowledgable staff.

wehaveafloater · 25/04/2020 21:21

For paint your own pottery for little ones ( and big ones ) www.starglazers.co.uk/
Are doing a postal delivery for paint your own pots figurines etc etc etc . Lots to chose from.

For jewellery there's swanpoolstudio.co.uk/

Have items from both places, and they are both awesome ! Thoroughly recommended .

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