I can't speak to their politics but during covid I did all my online ordering from Target or curbside pick up from locally owned stores. I can speak very confidently in how Target treated their employees during that time with various PAID leave policies. I ordered from Target over the weekend 1/2
2/2 and we live in the country and I received everything from my order on Wed so maybe one day later than Amazon? The only thing I do with Amazon is Kindle books otherwise I have been 99% done since 2020. Feels great to not support another cheating asshat.
I haven't bought anything from there since September. BestBuy is a great alternative. I've also been shopping local bookstores, local retail, and Etsy for gifts.
Takes a lot more work—and sometimes more $—but I generally try to buy directly from manufacturer or local businesses. For books, try https://bookshop.org or https://biblio.com. Consider more thrift and pre-owned shopping. Love my local co-op.
big fan of their physical catalog, which is an excellent discovery tool (they charge you for it but it's on sale right now for $10; &if you've ordered something in the past year they'll usually send one) https://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/catalog
Depends on what you need. I'm personally sort of giving up the idea of a one-stop shop. Visiting multiple specialty shops also helps spread the wealth - convenience be damned.
That said, Target generally has the same selection of everything, similar delivery options and its workers are generally treated better than Amazon/Walmart (though that depends on management at the store).
It won't help you directly, but there are other giant retailers (In the UK: Argos) and some of them do not "just" re-sell (e.g. have no quality or reputational skin in the game on what's being sold.) I like my giant retailer to say here's a "good" choice of "this thing" at different price ranges.
I run a eco friendly online shop https://bougiegreen.com we carry a diverse range of products from all over the world. We are in the process of adding 2k more products.
See if a local location is online and support them (I bought a game from a store called Graywhale here in Utah, used so they make the much needed profit).
Beyond that, I'm trying chances with eBay should I need to go bigger.
There’s an app for both iPhone & Android called, Goods Unite Us and a website called, https://opensecrets.org where you can check stores, brands, etc to see where they donated money. I’m in process of compiling my local area list of stores/brands.
If you Google, it will come up with Etsy Wayfair and a few other suggestions. Not sure if these companies supported Trump but I agree that target and Costco is good.
Smart move considering Bezo made 31 billion in 2023 from Amazon
I've not used Amazon for nearly 10 years. I usually find it pretty straightforward to find alternate suppliers. And where the Amazon product is actually supplied by a company using Amazon as a route to market, it's usually trivial to buy direct from that supplier
Does anyone have a non-S3 online backup suggestion for home/personal data? From NAS, not individual desktops. Glacier is cheap, but in the spirit of migrating away from Amazon.
I do that. The price is sometimes higher, sometimes lower. Amazon has some bargains and some rip offs. But it probably all balances out so we can shop somewhere else.
There's also your local independent book shop.
I don't know where you live, but if it's of any size, you probably have one somewhere and you don't even realize.
Pets? I go with Pet Supermarket or Chewy if I have to. But the latter is now 80% owned by BC Partners (private equity)
For books, https://bookshop.org. some computing things can be bought at https://newegg.com. but there are other products you just can't get anywhere else.
For modest computing services, there are a number of cooperatives that you can join. Really large amounts of computing services are another matter, though. Much of the web runs on AWS.
For clothing, the old line catalog stores, LL Bean and Lands End are still around, and brick and mortar retailer web sites are often a good bet—Macy's and Nordstrom's have useful sites.
You really want to go to specialty stores since they are usually local.
I do always ask that for things like candles and soap, consider buying from GoImagine or Etsy. They are usually comparable or even cheaper in price & directly support small creators with something safe for them to make.
Local is about the only way, because Amazon has created a monopoly. Literally running at a loss to force out competition and make sellers use them when they don’t want to.
Like Google. If you’re not on the first page, you’re invisible.
It definitely sucks when I go to a site and they have their link to their store and it's just Amazon 😔 but I would say most items people repeatedly buy aren't Amazon worthy. You can get a sweater or blanket in-store. Sure, headphones are harder but going to best buy is still better than amazon
I’ve been ordering direct from the manufacturer, local businesses, thrift stores/ebay, & employee-owned businesses. For bigger retailers I stick with Costco, occasionally Target. Also utilizing the library more and more (mine loans out tools, cameras, instruments, hotspots, even board games)
Switch to https://bsky.app/profile/kagi.com as your default search engine, it allows you to easily and permanently filter unwanted websites from your searches.
Most independent bookstores will ship to you. I order books online from Copperfield’s and walk over to the store to pick them up. (Sonoma County CA). It is maybe 2 days longer than Amazon. So worth it! Plus I get a nice walk and have coffee at the store’s cafe.
I saw Thrive was mentioned. I've been using Thrive for the last 5 years and have had a great experience - especially when they have sales. Many products I used to buy at Whole Foods are there. http://thrv.me/aYdRyd
You’re welcome! Although I’m struck by the irony of my own situation, trying to get my tiny slice of the Amazon pie at the moment! I’m selling my own custom design mugs and phone cases on Amazon us. I also started using KDP. There are a lot of small businesses on Amazon like me..
Many thanks! I just cancelled my prime membership, so very timely! The Polly Barks list especially has some sources I’ll try, as well as some faves (shout outs to REI and Patagonia!)
I search on Amazon then see if they manufacturer or store has their own website. Hell, I buy coffee direct from the company and it comes faster than when I bought it on Amazon.
I started going through my Amazon subscribe&save and found that the manufacturer offers the same if not better prices, often with free shipping and their own subscriptions.
Also, we are small and don't have huge stock– if you want us to ship something we don't have on the shelves, we must first order it and then ship it out after we receive it, adding a day or two to the time it is received. Not the biggest deal, but not the most efficient, either.
I like Thredup for clothing. It’s an online consignment shop. I like https://thriftbooks.com for books. They are not as fast as Amazon, but I think we need to let go of instant gratification.
I've been using Target more. All the info I've found on them so far suggests they are much better. Although, they are a corporation so I won't be shocked if something turns up at some point. I found a few other companies for specific things, like my dog's supplement.
My subscription comes up for renewal this month and I’m going to cancel it. The streaming is crap. Their shipping has gotten terrible and I can buy through local big box stores or small businesses. Keep the money in the community.
🧵 I buy my subscriptions for soap/lotion (Nubian Heritage), laundry detergent strips (TruEarth), dishwasher tablets (Blueland), biotin shampoo (Maple Holistics), and toilet paper (REEL Paper bamboo) directly from the companies now.
Books at my local bookstores. Same with everything else, but I'm fortunate to live in a city with decent public transportation. You don't need Amazon to live. Dropping my Prime account before it next renews.
This is good stuff, and the info much appreciated. I would argue that almost any company is better than Amazon, right now. There's no ethical consumption under capitalism, as they say, but there are degrees.
tbh there’s not a easy way to replace amazon, just ime. i try to keep tabs on local stores and where the best thrifts and reuse materials stores are in my area. its more work to support local for sure. some things i still buy from amazon when i absolutely cant find them, but progress is progress.
Your local indie bookstore is best for books, many will ship and can source used or new books for you. If you don't have a local bookstore, https://bookshop.org will let you shop online and benefit a local indie bookstore of your choice. #ShopLocal #ShopIndie 📚❤️
Any shop on there that has their own online shop/presence for starters. Shipping might just take longer but they're keeping all the money instead of signing everything away to Amazon and having their IP stolen or losing money per transaction. Shopping local if you can/supporting small businesses.
Comments
Originated From Mormon country in AZ…
big fan of their physical catalog, which is an excellent discovery tool (they charge you for it but it's on sale right now for $10; &if you've ordered something in the past year they'll usually send one)
https://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/catalog
https://bsky.app/profile/mdotblind.bsky.social/post/3kfsorazqki2y
and https://bookshop.org
That said, Target generally has the same selection of everything, similar delivery options and its workers are generally treated better than Amazon/Walmart (though that depends on management at the store).
Kroger is unionized but only good for groceries.
Many thanks 🥳
https://corporate.walmart.com/news/2018/04/30/walmart-and-sainsburys-announce-combination-of-sainsburys-and-asda-walmarts-wholly-owned-uk-business
delete facebook
x X
#Discogs
Beyond that, I'm trying chances with eBay should I need to go bigger.
https://www.harvard.com/
Just add
-site:Amazon.com to your search
Ie: Magic eightball -site:Amazon.com
One word space between your search term and - sign
Have been looking for just this. Ethical alternatives to Amazon.
The biggest issue with going direct has been $20 shipping charges from each vendor.
Lots of great alternatives coming from folks - thanks!
📌
Smart move considering Bezo made 31 billion in 2023 from Amazon
And, fuck ULine.
I don't know where you live, but if it's of any size, you probably have one somewhere and you don't even realize.
Pets? I go with Pet Supermarket or Chewy if I have to. But the latter is now 80% owned by BC Partners (private equity)
The Strand in NYC ships books.
I do always ask that for things like candles and soap, consider buying from GoImagine or Etsy. They are usually comparable or even cheaper in price & directly support small creators with something safe for them to make.
Like Google. If you’re not on the first page, you’re invisible.
#SupportSmallBusinesses #CreativeCommunity #BCorp #ShopIndie #ShopLocal
if they gave a fuck about my privacy, they would not collect ANY information about me or my visit.
Respect!🥳