Amazon Prime - kicking the habit

[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.

Do you work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Go to Altar'd State - I've never seen such a large collection of cute white dresses before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Do you work?

Probably not. And she's overlooking that stores are not what they were 20 years ago. They're badly stocked, badly organized and understaffed. Every time I go into a brick and mortar brand name store, I'm always disappointed I didn't just order online.

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to use it less and have been able to. I still order online but use other stores. I would get rid of it but my husband likes to have Prime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Do you work?

My guess is she doesn’t. If so, it must be part time or a really cushy kind of job.

[Anonymous]

Delete your prime acct. I did last year and have ordered from Amazon exactly twice since then- and one of those was because it was some weird costume piece for a school play that had to be the same as the director linked. Meaning, if I could’ve picked an alternative, I wouldn’t have used Amazon that time at all. You will find you DO NOT need Amazon or the ease of spending money it provides. Yes you can get everything elsewhere- plan a little and go. It’s not bad to add a little friction to our lives- we were never meant to have access to all the garbage in the world delivered to our doorstep in 48 hours with the click of a button. And before you say it- yes we both work full time, two kids in activities , busy lives and weekends. You can still live without Amazon.

[Anonymous]

I do not have a Prime account. When I need to purchase from Amazon, I make sure I spend $50 (or whatever the minimum is) to get free shipping.

[Anonymous]

Going to the store is really unpleasant. It stinks of air freshener, the music is terrible, there's no light. It's not conducive to shopping. I prefer shopping from my couch and having the world delivered to my door. What I resent about Amazon Prime is that they don't pick up returns. I don't want to go to the store to return things -- avoiding the store is the whole point. With all the trucks driving around nonstop they should be able to schedule pickups as well as deliveries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not have a Prime account. When I need to purchase from Amazon, I make sure I spend $50 (or whatever the minimum is) to get free shipping.

And should you need it, they will always offer you a free month. I don't have it and never pay for shipping. Yes I wait a few extra days (sometimes it comes in 2 any ways)

[Anonymous]

You don't need it. I don't miss mine. Delete it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/04/20/how-amazons-ai-algorithms-raise-the-prices-you-pay/

Has the recent news on Amazon’s price inflation tactics made you cancel Prime?

Nope. With gas prices up I’ll gladly take free overnight shipping of everything I need.

What's there to 'need' all the time?

This is the mental shift Amazon hopes we don't make.

[Anonymous]

FYI everyone you can live without amazon prime AND netflix with no issue. I promise. Save yourself the money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FYI everyone you can live without amazon prime AND netflix with no issue. I promise. Save yourself the money.

Why though? I don't feel the need to get rid of either and they enhance my life. I'm someone who doesn't do a lot of things others do (food and takeout delivery, alcohol, fast food, eating out much) It's not up to me to decide what matters to other people and how they want to consume.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I get your point -- but it's public record Jeff Bezos is a top investor/owner of Rivian electric car maker, so much of the Amazon delivery fleet has moved over to Rivian EV trucks. I also notice a lot of their fleet is now General Motors EV trucks, I assume because Rivian couldn't keep up with demand -- and/or maybe they just got a great deal on them from General Motors.

[Anonymous]

I was just in Whole Foods for a lunch and the number of WF workers doing delivery/pickup orders in the aisles outnumbered shoppers probably 10 to 1. It's crazy.

Reminds me of Starbucks, with mobile and delivery orders seeming to outnumber in-store customers in line 10 to 1.