33 votes

Looking to cancel Amazon Prime for ethical reasons (and quality decline) - what are my alternatives for online shopping?

For the past few years, I've grown more and more uneasy with Amazon's business practices. I think it's time to move on. Not to mention the declining quality in products since international shippers were added (as discussed in the podcast Reply All).

I'm addicted to the convenience of 2 day shipping, even though we use Amazon less and less, I like knowing I have that option.

I've been considering a Costco membership instead - how does their online shopping and shipping times/prices compare?

I've also considered using Jet more but I don't know much about their ethics, does anyone?

Open to other alternatives and discussion about business ethics here.

18 comments

  1. [2]
    biox
    Link
    It sounds like you already know this, but... Amazon is popular precisely because of this convenience, and you must be willing to trade it away. I would argue that instead of searching for...

    I'm addicted to the convenience of 2 day shipping, even though we use Amazon less and less, I like knowing I have that option.

    It sounds like you already know this, but...

    Amazon is popular precisely because of this convenience, and you must be willing to trade it away. I would argue that instead of searching for equivalent alternatives, your energy would be better spent investigating why you have this addiction, and what going without free two-day shipping on online orders means to you.

    28 votes
    1. TurdFerguson
      Link Parent
      Thanks for the reply. I'm not a shopoholic or anything, quite contrary actually. But I do love the convenience itself. I do definitely have to do some soul searching as to why that is, and try to...

      Thanks for the reply. I'm not a shopoholic or anything, quite contrary actually. But I do love the convenience itself. I do definitely have to do some soul searching as to why that is, and try to fight against that consumerist vein within me.

      1 vote
  2. [2]
    smores
    Link
    Worth noting that, while they do seem to be independently operated, Jet.com is actually owned by Walmart. So if part of your concern is giving money to an organization that treats its workers...

    Worth noting that, while they do seem to be independently operated, Jet.com is actually owned by Walmart. So if part of your concern is giving money to an organization that treats its workers poorly, switching to Jet.com might actually be a step down (I only know this because I went down this same rabbit hole like 3 weeks ago).

    9 votes
    1. TurdFerguson
      Link Parent
      I did not know that, thanks for the info! Yes, avoiding Walmart is also key.

      I did not know that, thanks for the info! Yes, avoiding Walmart is also key.

      1 vote
  3. [3]
    lazydictionary
    Link
    I know Wal-Mart, and I believe Target, offer free 2-day shipping if you buy enough crap. Or you can just have it shipped to your local store and pick it up there. Obviously Wally world is as shady...

    I know Wal-Mart, and I believe Target, offer free 2-day shipping if you buy enough crap. Or you can just have it shipped to your local store and pick it up there. Obviously Wally world is as shady as Amazon in their business practices, but if you want to save the $100+ a year on prime it's an alternative.

    3 votes
    1. [2]
      jackson
      Link Parent
      I'd argue that if you wanted to take the ethics route, you should avoid Walmart in its entirety. Sure, Amazon does some shady stuff, but Walmart is amazing in all the ways they manipulate the...

      I'd argue that if you wanted to take the ethics route, you should avoid Walmart in its entirety. Sure, Amazon does some shady stuff, but Walmart is amazing in all the ways they manipulate the government and their employees.

      6 votes
      1. TurdFerguson
        Link Parent
        Agreed. Walmart is just as bad if not worse. I don't know about Target's practices, I should probably read up.

        Agreed. Walmart is just as bad if not worse. I don't know about Target's practices, I should probably read up.

  4. [2]
    avze
    (edited )
    Link
    I'm trying to figure out the best way to do this myself. Costco is about as ethical as you can go. I'd also recommend finding smaller, specialized shops for more specific products. I'm into board...

    I'm trying to figure out the best way to do this myself. Costco is about as ethical as you can go. I'd also recommend finding smaller, specialized shops for more specific products. I'm into board games, for instance, and there are plenty of smaller sites that are more expensive than Amazon but still offer reasonable savings (and I can know I'm getting what I ordered--there have been a lot of counterfeit games shipping out of Amazon in the last few years).

    @biox's post is really what we need to think about. What we need to do is wean ourselves off of thinking we should get everything in a few days.

    3 votes
    1. TurdFerguson
      Link Parent
      Agreed. I love to shop local when I can, they're often more expensive but I pay for it because it's local. And I agree, we need to ween off the convenience.

      Agreed. I love to shop local when I can, they're often more expensive but I pay for it because it's local. And I agree, we need to ween off the convenience.

      2 votes
  5. [4]
    DonQuixote
    Link
    My alternative, which is buyer beware but typically cheaper, is Ebay. I've had pretty good luck over the years, but wouldn't buy a car there. Shipping is spotty, but that makes life interesting.

    My alternative, which is buyer beware but typically cheaper, is Ebay. I've had pretty good luck over the years, but wouldn't buy a car there. Shipping is spotty, but that makes life interesting.

    3 votes
    1. [3]
      jwr
      Link Parent
      Another nice thing about eBay is that since you're buying form a seller who has to keep their ratings high, there's less likelihood of getting counterfeit goods, which seems to be a growing...

      Another nice thing about eBay is that since you're buying form a seller who has to keep their ratings high, there's less likelihood of getting counterfeit goods, which seems to be a growing problem with Amazon.

      3 votes
      1. dainumer
        Link Parent
        Agreed. Vendors on eBay are terrified of getting poor reviews and will generally make concessions/accommodations to avoid getting dinged. That being said, I also pay with a Citi card through...

        Agreed. Vendors on eBay are terrified of getting poor reviews and will generally make concessions/accommodations to avoid getting dinged.

        That being said, I also pay with a Citi card through Paypal ensuring that I have two other parties involved who can offer me a refund if I need to escalate it.

        3 votes
      2. Vermin
        Link Parent
        It's funny that eBay is the save website in this regard. They're famous for being the opposite of that. I've gotten a few counterfeit products on Amazon already though, and Amazon wouldn't help...

        It's funny that eBay is the save website in this regard. They're famous for being the opposite of that. I've gotten a few counterfeit products on Amazon already though, and Amazon wouldn't help with a return or dispute.

        2 votes
  6. [3]
    CedarMadness
    Link
    If you really want 2 day shipping, Shoprunner could be an option. It works at Newegg and some other places. I don't know how much it usually costs, but every few months they put out a promo where...

    If you really want 2 day shipping, Shoprunner could be an option. It works at Newegg and some other places. I don't know how much it usually costs, but every few months they put out a promo where you get 2 years free for linking your paypal account.

    3 votes
    1. [2]
      talklittle
      Link Parent
      Speaking of Newegg, are they still any good after their 2016 acquisition? I've heard from long-term customers that their quality has gone downhill, but don't know specifically how. I've bought...

      Speaking of Newegg, are they still any good after their 2016 acquisition? I've heard from long-term customers that their quality has gone downhill, but don't know specifically how. I've bought from them a few times but not enough to tell the difference.

      1 vote
      1. cfabbro
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        I can't speak to if they have improved in all the time since I stopped buying from them, but there definitely was a noticeable quality decline after they were acquired, particularly with regards...

        I can't speak to if they have improved in all the time since I stopped buying from them, but there definitely was a noticeable quality decline after they were acquired, particularly with regards to their customer support and RMA process. One of my friends was even outright rejected for an RMA on a videocard that arrived non-functional and told they had to deal with the manufacturer instead, despite only wanting a replacement (not refund) and having just spent over $3k on new parts from Newegg, with that being the only one that arrived with an issue. Thankfully EVGA is awesome and RMA'd no hassle, but both of us stopped shopping there after that as a result.

        Newegg Canada also used to be pretty wonky, even before the acquisition, and it was impossible to tell whether or not a product you were ordering was actually in Canada or was going to be shipped from the US, so I got unexpectedly nailed with import taxes and environmental handling fees (which are supposed to be paid at the time of sale but weren't) a few times. Again though, I have no idea if that's changed or not since I haven't bought anything from them in well over a year.

        3 votes
  7. nic
    Link
    Are you willing to pay extra for two day shipping? If not, what makes you think the alternative will be more ethical? (I am feeling guilty for my Amazon Prime addiction, can you tell?)

    Are you willing to pay extra for two day shipping?

    If not, what makes you think the alternative will be more ethical?

    (I am feeling guilty for my Amazon Prime addiction, can you tell?)

    2 votes
  8. TurdFerguson
    Link
    Appreciate the comments all around. Seems like Costco and shopping local is my best option. I definitely like Costco's business model and the way they treat their employees. The problem is I have...

    Appreciate the comments all around. Seems like Costco and shopping local is my best option. I definitely like Costco's business model and the way they treat their employees. The problem is I have a small apartment, so I have to think through how to handle bulk items.

    1 vote