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.

Thanks Ducky... Ive ordered one off of NOTHS... lots of ones on other sites had delivery dates that were a bit risky

Special and high-quality children’s toys/decor/books etc: Recently ordered some of DS’s birthday gifts from annualstore.com/

Special, nature/outdoor themed kids’ products: consciouscraft.uk/

Garden lights: www.lights4fun.co.uk/
After looking at their stuff for a couple years now we ordered 2 sets of festoon lights. Very pleased with them.

Books: agreatread.co.uk/

@ihatethecold Fred Aldous for art supplies?

I love the look of Fred Aldous Ihatethecold

Adding Buttonbag to the list for everyone's crafty youngsters. Their free projects are worth a look too!

Thanks. I will check out Fred Aldous.
I haven’t heard of it.

Sorry Ihatethecold I misread!

My post about Fred Aldous was in response to Osquito!

www.onehundredtoys.com
This online toy shop rocks. Beautiful site. Quality toys. Inspirational blogs and a host of creative ideas. The guy who runs it is awesome. He was my 18-year-old son's early years teacher. 'He knows his onions' is an understatement.

www.cassart.co.uk/ for art supplies- excellent kids's selection as well!

I also agree with others about World of Books for excellent quality, second-hand books. I've had nothing but stellar service from them for years.

Any recommendations for boutiques selling casual ladies clothes with a european vibe? Cottons, linens etc?

Flamingo Paperie for cards and wrapping paper. Beautiful and good value. (Born from the ashes of the old Phoenix Trading.)

Shandlerswig you may already know Comptoir design Cotonniers

here

Understated everyday classics in good fabrics, not cheap though and the sizing is fairly restricted.

GAH sorry "des" autocorrected to "design" there

It should have read Comptoir des Cotonniers

Thanks to whoever recommended Wiggle for cycling kit.
Really impressed with the quality. And the free haribo

We’ve had T-shirt’s and pyjamas before froM this company. Make excellent gifts or activities for children.
www.selfieclothing.co.uk/

I've recently started trying to replace our single plastic use and have found a few independent shops that provide great alternatives to Amazon or eBay.

They have stuff like refillable Nespresso pods, beeswax wraps and bamboo cotton buds. This one is my favourite so far: www.sustainablehomeware.com

I'm loving all the ideas shared here so far!

I have used this site Sustainable homeware now for a few months, waiting for them to get some new items as I’ve bought them all so far. sustainablehomeware.com

My Flamingo Paperie stuff arrived today and it really is gorgeous. Very nice cards etc indeed!

any recommendations for picture frames?
I've seen some lovely prints on Etsy that would need framing.

I like the sustainable homeware @Naturemum81 but i'd prefer a UK company to buy the stretchy lids. Shipping takes a while to get to the UK and I dont want to have to pay customs on the delivery.

anyone now of a UK company selling reusable stretchy lids for bowls/containers etc.

Hey @ihatethecold - no need to worry about the cold today! Mine came pretty quickly and no customs :) I think they are in London

I love this thread, thank you!

I've taken to using amazon as effectively a search engine. Find what I want, find who the seller is, and Google them for their own website to buy direct. The price tends to be the same but I've found you tend to have to pay postage (which is fair enough obviously) so I'm steeling myself to cancel my prime subscription to even that out.

thegildergreen.co.uk do a gorgeous mobthly glutenfree cake box subscription(or one off) box in the post for £12.99. Fits through your letterbox so no faffing for delivery either, and they are using things like biodegradable cellophane too.

thecuppiehut.contactlesstrade.co.uk do gorgeous cake jar boxes posted, and lots of other cake and sweet goodies. They do vegan and gluten free options.

I have finally got round to ordering a few bits from the LouLouBella website today.

Thanks to the poster who recommended them. Im looking forward to receiving my package

Can anybody recommend an online business where I can buy plants, fairly inexpensively? My local garden centre wasn't cheap but they were doing home delivery, but have now stopped and I'm still not going on unnecessary trips. Meanwhile, I've caught the gardening bug

I have recently bought Pure copper water bottles from www.ecozonelifestyle.com
Water stored in Copper utencil have numerous benefits, worth investing to a healthy lifestyle.