Amazon Prime - kicking the habit

[Anonymous]

Imagine all the gas exhaust from repeated home deliveries by trucks and cars. Kudos if you quit online ordering.

But I'm keeping my Amazon.

[Anonymous]

Think about the things you're buying...can you cut back? Maybe without the ease of Amazon you will realize you do not really need the products. I always wonder what people are buying. My neighbor literally gets at least 1 package a day. I guess it could be food items ..The box pile on garbage day is impressive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Think about the things you're buying...can you cut back? Maybe without the ease of Amazon you will realize you do not really need the products. I always wonder what people are buying. My neighbor literally gets at least 1 package a day. I guess it could be food items ..The box pile on garbage day is impressive.

I get things like toothpaste in packs of 4 for much cheaper, random book my dcs need for the next day, espresso pods, a bra, hair dye, cat litter...

[Anonymous]

I actually think the key is to find ways to stop relying on "convenience" as the key. I think the whole system is built around this idea that we, as Americans, have that we need to maximize our time, that we must be "productive" at all times and minimize the time we spend on things like caring for our homes, making meals, shopping for basic items, etc. In theory we do this so we can spend more time with our family or relaxing, but how do we actually spend that time? Working, scrolling our phones, engaging in social media (like DCUM), etc.

I quit Prime and the first step for me has been slowing the eff down. My DC needed a special item of clothing for a performance this week. Previously, I would have ordered it on Amazon or elsewhere and had it in hand in a couple days. Instead I called a store to see if they had what we needed in stock, asked them to hold it for us, and drove to the store after picking my DC up on Tuesday to pick it up. It took longer but it was better. We interacted with multiple people and those interactions were positive. The item fit DC correctly because we were able to look at it/try it on before buying. The activity made DC more enthusiastic about their performance, and I think it was mentally useful to slow down and undertake that task in person in preparation. I also spent close to an hour 1:1 with DC while DH had 1:1 time with our other child at home and made dinner.

I know this sounds dumb to people but the truth is that I think we need to change our culture. I think we prioritize the wrong things. Efficiency and minimizing human interaction and maximizing technology reliance are not good for us. We need to slow down.

Also the longer it takes you to buy things, the less you buy. Which is bad for the people who hold onto all the profits from what you buy but better for your bank balance and the environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually think the key is to find ways to stop relying on "convenience" as the key. I think the whole system is built around this idea that we, as Americans, have that we need to maximize our time, that we must be "productive" at all times and minimize the time we spend on things like caring for our homes, making meals, shopping for basic items, etc. In theory we do this so we can spend more time with our family or relaxing, but how do we actually spend that time? Working, scrolling our phones, engaging in social media (like DCUM), etc.

I quit Prime and the first step for me has been slowing the eff down. My DC needed a special item of clothing for a performance this week. Previously, I would have ordered it on Amazon or elsewhere and had it in hand in a couple days. Instead I called a store to see if they had what we needed in stock, asked them to hold it for us, and drove to the store after picking my DC up on Tuesday to pick it up. It took longer but it was better. We interacted with multiple people and those interactions were positive. The item fit DC correctly because we were able to look at it/try it on before buying. The activity made DC more enthusiastic about their performance, and I think it was mentally useful to slow down and undertake that task in person in preparation. I also spent close to an hour 1:1 with DC while DH had 1:1 time with our other child at home and made dinner.

I know this sounds dumb to people but the truth is that I think we need to change our culture. I think we prioritize the wrong things. Efficiency and minimizing human interaction and maximizing technology reliance are not good for us. We need to slow down.

Also the longer it takes you to buy things, the less you buy. Which is bad for the people who hold onto all the profits from what you buy but better for your bank balance and the environment.

I do this for things like sports shoes at Dick's, a dress at the mall...but for the million little annoying last minute things, it's really aggravating leaving the house during the week when I am tired after work and dinner to pick up this or that random necessary item.

[Anonymous]

Sigh - this again? Another thread trying to cancel Amazon? How many of these do we need?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sigh - this again? Another thread trying to cancel Amazon? How many of these do we need?

OP here. Sounds like this thread isn’t for you which is why it was specifically targeted to those who’ve been there to gain insight from their experience. Feel free to move along.

[Anonymous]

I’m going to have to learn because I canceled my prime today. And I’m going to avoid ordering from there as much as possible from now on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually think the key is to find ways to stop relying on "convenience" as the key. I think the whole system is built around this idea that we, as Americans, have that we need to maximize our time, that we must be "productive" at all times and minimize the time we spend on things like caring for our homes, making meals, shopping for basic items, etc. In theory we do this so we can spend more time with our family or relaxing, but how do we actually spend that time? Working, scrolling our phones, engaging in social media (like DCUM), etc.

I quit Prime and the first step for me has been slowing the eff down. My DC needed a special item of clothing for a performance this week. Previously, I would have ordered it on Amazon or elsewhere and had it in hand in a couple days. Instead I called a store to see if they had what we needed in stock, asked them to hold it for us, and drove to the store after picking my DC up on Tuesday to pick it up. It took longer but it was better. We interacted with multiple people and those interactions were positive. The item fit DC correctly because we were able to look at it/try it on before buying. The activity made DC more enthusiastic about their performance, and I think it was mentally useful to slow down and undertake that task in person in preparation. I also spent close to an hour 1:1 with DC while DH had 1:1 time with our other child at home and made dinner.

I know this sounds dumb to people but the truth is that I think we need to change our culture. I think we prioritize the wrong things. Efficiency and minimizing human interaction and maximizing technology reliance are not good for us. We need to slow down.

Also the longer it takes you to buy things, the less you buy. Which is bad for the people who hold onto all the profits from what you buy but better for your bank balance and the environment.

I agree with you, but don't think this model works with two full time WOH parents. Amazon ordering is a response to the problem of not having time to go anywhere, and especially not having time to go to stores where the selection sucks because of Amazon competition and so you find nothing even after spending that time.

I'm actively trying to reduce my use of Amazon. DD needs a white dress for an event. I checked 5 different store websites, found nothing, and eventually had to order from Amazon. It's almost Easter, so white dresses should be everywhere, but no.

[Anonymous]

I do not have a Prime Membership and never have. Honestly, I haven’t bought a thing from them since Christmas. You can still order from them, but you must spend $50 to get free shipping. And, be aware that delivery will take longer. I am not convinced Amazon is cheaper, but it is easy and convenient.

You need a different mindset when making your store list. For example, when you have 6 rolls of paper towel left, you add paper towels to the Costco list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Walmart has very fast shipping and a lot of the same stuff

Walmart is also a trash corporation so I don't really think that solves for concern wrt Amazon.

+1 it’s crazy when we think ordering from Walmart is an act of conscientious objection.

Or shopping at Costco, Ace Hardware, CVS, and Staples…limousine liberals

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not have a Prime Membership and never have. Honestly, I haven’t bought a thing from them since Christmas. You can still order from them, but you must spend $50 to get free shipping. And, be aware that delivery will take longer. I am not convinced Amazon is cheaper, but it is easy and convenient.

You need a different mindset when making your store list. For example, when you have 6 rolls of paper towel left, you add paper towels to the Costco list.

And Prime is about $10 a month so it is not free shipping at all...non prime deliveries are often 2 days as well especially around the holidays (though you can not count on it). Prime is fine but know it is just convenient. It is not necessarily cheaper. I shocked my family by having a new phone on the same day...yeah I drove to Best Buy, picked it up and was home in 20 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do not have a Prime Membership and never have. Honestly, I haven’t bought a thing from them since Christmas. You can still order from them, but you must spend $50 to get free shipping. And, be aware that delivery will take longer. I am not convinced Amazon is cheaper, but it is easy and convenient.

You need a different mindset when making your store list. For example, when you have 6 rolls of paper towel left, you add paper towels to the Costco list.

And Prime is about $10 a month so it is not free shipping at all...non prime deliveries are often 2 days as well especially around the holidays (though you can not count on it). Prime is fine but know it is just convenient. It is not necessarily cheaper. I shocked my family by having a new phone on the same day...yeah I drove to Best Buy, picked it up and was home in 20 minutes.

Prime does provide other services too. I am sticking with Prime because I've used it as cloud storage for all of my photos and videos for years. The free shipping and videos is really an add on to my use of their cloud storage. It would be a huge hassle to move all of my data, so I'm going to stay. I don't think any of the other big tech options that I could move to are really any better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I have kicked the habit of ordering on Amazon and shopping at Whole Foods.

Costco, Ace Hardware, CVS, and Staples are all substitutes. Yes, it takes more planning and thought and time but I am glad I did it.

Now, I haven't been able to kick my Kindle Unlimited addiction. I set it up to send me an email three days before it expires - that's in 2ish week - so I don't renew. This is going to be the hardest thing to do.

Get library cards and borrow kindle books. Lots of libraries allow you to get a card even if you’re not in the county/city.

NP- But you still have to go through Amazon to download the book. I only get mine through the library and Amazon is used to download to Kindle.

When I borrow the book on Libby, it asks me if I want to use Kindle or use Libby to read it on my device. I choose the second option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I have kicked the habit of ordering on Amazon and shopping at Whole Foods.

Costco, Ace Hardware, CVS, and Staples are all substitutes. Yes, it takes more planning and thought and time but I am glad I did it.

Now, I haven't been able to kick my Kindle Unlimited addiction. I set it up to send me an email three days before it expires - that's in 2ish week - so I don't renew. This is going to be the hardest thing to do.

Get library cards and borrow kindle books. Lots of libraries allow you to get a card even if you’re not in the county/city.

NP- But you still have to go through Amazon to download the book. I only get mine through the library and Amazon is used to download to Kindle.

When I borrow the book on Libby, it asks me if I want to use Kindle or use Libby to read it on my device. I choose the second option.

On your Kindle? I can only use that option to read on my phone, which defeats the purpose (I can't read on my phone, vision problems)