Amazon Prime - kicking the habit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are some more good alternatives to Amazon? I feel like I read Walmart and Target are just as bad. I looked at my purchases over the last 6 months and would love some advice on good alternatives to think about shopping. I think mainly Costco and the commissary/PX (we are an active duty family) could cover a lot of what I buy on Amazon. I've just fallen out of the habit of shopping on base because it's kind of a long drive for me.

home cleaning supplies and paper products - Costco already covers most of this for me

What about beauty/hygiene items? They are really expensive at drug stores and grocery stores from what I've seen. Costco doesn't have a big selection. I used to buy these things at Target, but that's apparently on the "do not shop" list.

What about random things like a basketball pump, inexpensive house planters, chair cushions, throw pillow covers - I think this is hardest for me to think about replacing amazon for

Which store for clothing basics, like underwear, t shirts, socks, pj pants? Maybe Costco, but, again, not the best selection

I never buy beauty products from Amazon because I’m afraid it’s fake stuff in old bottles. For things like socks and underwear etc we do target or costco. Target works for a lot of the other things you mentioned.

Where I struggle in the little weird things like travel converter plugs, scuba socks, etc. one off stuff that there isn’t a good local store and too niche for target to carry.

[Anonymous]

If you can't delete your Amazon account but are frustrated that your congressman won't vote to put democracy first, you need to realize you and your congressman have the same problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't quit. I order stuff for my elderly parents who cannot order for themselves.

Same. We also use Amazon Pharmacy. No plans to quit.

[Anonymous]

I just wanted to add a voice to say that you can live without Amazon. I haven’t bought anything from them since 2010 or so and we are two ft working parents.

The alternatives:

Generally buying less. Kids don’t need every random thing for every holiday. Making something out of what you have makes memories.

Hippie food & toiletries: Vitacost

Most food is local from our nearby grocery store or the farmers’ market. Things we eat a lot of, like nuts, we get from nuts.com —you can make your own peanut butter for a lot less!

Also, libraries. They are the greatest thing ever. Use them for your reading and even streaming in some systems.

Good luck everyone!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP your original post says that you found some of your subscription items directly through the vendor and where able to set up subscriptions there. Would you mind sharing for those of us who are trying to quit or cutback too?

Dermstore - make-up, shampoo, etc
Chewy’s - pet supplies
Costco - you name it
Best Buy - someone mentioned travel converters

[Anonymous]

I cancelled all my Amazon subscribe and saves. Been using Costco more. But not fully giving up Amazon, sadly. But some steps are better than none.

[Anonymous]

I find it hard to give up Whole Foods, any tips?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I cancelled all my Amazon subscribe and saves. Been using Costco more. But not fully giving up Amazon, sadly. But some steps are better than none.

Every little bit counts.

[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.

It’s $35 for free shipping without Prime, not $50.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

+1
And you can also do curbside pickup for a lot.

My experience with Walmart shipping is that it’s fine if you don’t buy anything fragile. Order a glass jar of pasta sauce (or glass jar of whatever)? They throw it completely loose in a far too large box for it to roll around through the entire trip, shatter and ruin all the other items in the box. Yes, they replace the items if you contact them, but they are completely unconcerned and will not change their shipping policy at all. Never had that happen when buying directly from Amazon.

[Anonymous]

It’s great to not care about the Amazon workers at all when you’re living your values.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it hard to give up Whole Foods, any tips?

What do you find hard to give up from them? Wegmans has a hot bar and a good amount of prepared foods, and most grocery stores have an organic section for produce and meats. WF is the easiest place for me not to shop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s great to not care about the Amazon workers at all when you’re living your values.

The workers who are dying in warehouses? Bezos is the one who doesn't care about them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s great to not care about the Amazon workers at all when you’re living your values.

Amazon is quite literally always hiring for the warehouse, driver, Amazon Flex type of jobs because they turn over so often because the jobs are so tough. If everyone stopped buying from Amazon and their demand tanked, I don’t want to be flip, but any laid off workers could easily find another warehouse, driver, retail etc. type of job. Those jobs are a dime a dozen and anywhere you go, there are Now Hiring signs out.

That is assuming people just switched their shopping from Amazon to any number of other retailers. If they stopped buying altogether, we have far worse economic problems on our hands.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s great to not care about the Amazon workers at all when you’re living your values.

Amazon is quite literally always hiring for the warehouse, driver, Amazon Flex type of jobs because they turn over so often because the jobs are so tough. If everyone stopped buying from Amazon and their demand tanked, I don’t want to be flip, but any laid off workers could easily find another warehouse, driver, retail etc. type of job. Those jobs are a dime a dozen and anywhere you go, there are Now Hiring signs out.

That is assuming people just switched their shopping from Amazon to any number of other retailers. If they stopped buying altogether, we have far worse economic problems on our hands.

Oh. Oh dear.