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15 votes
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The world's oldest hat shop that fitted James Bond
4 votes -
Why a big box store started solving violent crimes
9 votes -
Costco clothing is cheap. But is it good value?
23 votes -
Prices of goods and what are stores making to misguide consumers
38 votes -
How dollar stores quietly consumed America
14 votes -
A supermarket chain in the Netherlands is helping to combat loneliness with so-called “slow” checkouts where chatting is encouraged
27 votes -
Supermarket in Finland is welcoming canine customers with specially-adapted carts which allow dog owners to bring their pooches grocery shopping
16 votes -
Fast-rising electricity bills and surging food price inflation are taking their toll in Sweden – Matmissionen and the social stores offering food at rock-bottom prices
7 votes -
John Lewis - The Beginner
5 votes -
Good review sites for everything?
Where do you go for decent reviews? Context-i was looking for a site to find good popcorn, and all the results on google for as far as i cared to scroll were fluff (pun intended). Here’s what i...
Where do you go for decent reviews? Context-i was looking for a site to find good popcorn, and all the results on google for as far as i cared to scroll were fluff (pun intended).
Here’s what i use:
Rtings for stereo.
Wirecutter for appliances.
Reddit for everything else.
And my results are quite mixed, and involve a lot of scrolling.
Where do yall go?
8 votes -
IKEA has cut sick pay for unvaccinated workers, without mitigating circumstances, required to self isolate – retail giant acknowledged it was an emotive topic
23 votes -
People are blasting Chanel's $825 Advent calendar on TikTok
6 votes -
Stop shopping - America needs you to buy less junk
16 votes -
The truth behind the Amazon mystery seeds
15 votes -
The Amazon that customers don’t see
13 votes -
Curbside delivery isn’t new, but the pandemic helped it take off. Here’s what to expect as it moves forward
6 votes -
Shopping addiction and COVID: The Amazon addicts of quarantine
11 votes -
The true cost of dollar stores - discount chains are thriving, but fostering violence and neglect in poor communities
7 votes -
I think I'm done with Amazon. Recommend me some alternative storefronts.
This story was basically the last straw, but the bigger frustration is that I ordered a NAS on Black Friday that STILL hasn't shipped. I have zero trust in this company to actually deliver me what...
This story was basically the last straw, but the bigger frustration is that I ordered a NAS on Black Friday that STILL hasn't shipped. I have zero trust in this company to actually deliver me what they claim to be anymore, and their listings are crap.
So instead of just spending my time whining (like the Ars comment section seems to be), I'd like to brainstorm alternative places to buy stuff. The main problem is breaking the Amazon habit, especially as it dominates all Google results for whatever you're looking for.
Nothing will ever be as much of a "one stop shop" as the A->Z store, naturally. But I think I'll just set myself up some bookmarks and go to one based on what I'm looking for. Also, while I get that there is no ethical consumption under capitalism, there is definitely a sliding scale of better and worse so that should weigh into things.
So let's go by category. I'm just listing out places where I've started to look for things instead. Please feel free to make suggestions. Whatever people recommend, I'll edit back into this list. If you include any general comments about what you like or what they could do better on any of your recommendations or any of mine let me know.
Groceries (Dry goods and sundries)
- Target.com
- Jet.com
- WalMart.com
- CostCo
- Chewy.com: For dog/pet supplies
Groceries (Fresh/perishable and specialty foods)
- Peapod (is this still a thing? Has anyone used it?)
Electronics
- BestBuy.com
- WalMart.com
- Target.com
- Drop.com: Unfortunately, it's whatever happens to be a deal at the time. So good to check in on and get alerts if there is something you're waiting for but not reliable.
- TechnaBob: Same as Drop
- NewEgg: Obviously
- Monoprice: For cables and other staples.
Clothes (basics like socks, t-shirts, underwear, etc.)
Clothes (designer)
- Gilt.com is basically for overstock and weird fashion items. Sometimes there are good finds there though, particularly good deals on designer versions of basics.
Random stuff (specifically random "flea market" type sites)
- Meh.com
- Etsy (for handicrafts and consignment/antiques, although this is also starting to get lousy with shitty knockoffs)
- eBay (can be pretty dodgy, once again crappy knockoff scammers ruin everything)
- CraigsList (if you're okay with used)
Other (specialty sites for very specific things)
- Drop: For stuff in drop communities. Currently they have a very active one for mechanical keyboards along with audiophile gear, writing/stationary, EDC, and random tech.
- The Clymb: A deal site for camping clothes and outdoor gear
- REI.com: More outdoors gear
36 votes -
Calling me a hero only makes you feel better
17 votes -
Walmart to require all employees wear face masks starting Monday
6 votes -
PetSmart pressures dog groomers to come into work as "essential labor"
8 votes -
Walmart amps up its virus response for workers
3 votes -
40,000 festive shoppers to hit Swedish superstore – shoppers travel from afar to Gekås Ullared mega-mall, an institution that has its own reality TV show
4 votes -
Norway's consumer watchdog has criticised fast-fashion chain H&M for misleading marketing of its sustainable collection
7 votes -
Road-tripping with the Amazon nomads - To stock Amazon’s shelves, merchants travel the backroads of America in search of rare soap and coveted toys
8 votes -
What it’s like working as an Amazon Flex delivery driver
5 votes -
Stop buying crap, and companies will stop making crap
30 votes -
Starbucks’ bias training finally happened. Here’s what it looked like
20 votes -
Inside the world's largest (5.5M m², 7km long) wholesale market in Yiwu, China
4 votes