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Reasons To Avoid Amazon

We have probably all used Amazon at one time or another. In fact many of us, if not most of us probably still do. But perhaps it is time to consider our relationship with the retail giant. We present some good reasons to avoid Amazon.

Reasons To Avoid Amazon – it is not always the best value

Many amazon shoppers use the site for its sheer convenience. But they also assume that it is the cheapest for whichever item they desire too. And Amazon usually does offer great value. and for some items it may well be the cheapest. But not always. And in the modern era of the internet and price comparison sites and search engines, you would be foolish not to compare prices before buying anything online. Because sometimes Amazon does not offer the best value, and can even be extremely expensive. 

Also, if you are not a Prime customer, or are not spending over £20, you may have to factor in delivery charges. Other sites may have no limits on free delivery. Also delivery may be hiked up for quicker delivery times and if you buy off a merchant with an Amazon shop. 

Amazon try to commit you to their site

By which I mean by dangling the benefits of Amazon Prime before your eyes. Millions subscribe for £79 a year. With it you get free next-day delivery, access to special deals and sales, TV & film series as you would on Netflix. And in recent years, live football too.  It may seem like excellent value for money, and for many it is, but it is still an extra cost. And it ties you into buying from one specific site. 

Amazon do not just tie you in via Prime either. If you want to read books on a Kindle, then that must go through Amazon. As someone who has self-published multiple books, i understand that i could only have done this via Amazon. They have been good for me as a publisher, but it is clear some of my customers would rather have purchased my tomes via an alternative method. 

Reasons To Avoid Amazon – Prime makes you more likely to spend cash

If you have Prime you’re also more likely to not just shop solely with Amazon, but spend money you would not have otherwise intended to. Free shipping, and next day too. Plus offers throughout the year, including special Black Friday like sales that lure you in. 

Reasons To Avoid Amazon – They hurt the high street

The high street is dying anyway, not helped by the coronavirus, which has simply accelerated the move to online shopping. Amazon has accelerated its decline further.  The pandemic has been very good for the company too, as during the summer it recorded a sales increase of 37%

If you have the time and the money to do so, do try and support the high street, and support local businesses. They have never needed your support more. Amazon can outpower every other business on the planet, and often undercut them too. But you should not just shop based on price. Think about who you wish to hand your money over to. 

Amazon is simply unethical

Finally, the biggest reason to not use Amazon. They do not deserve your money – or its billionaire owner certainly does not. Amazon do plenty of good initiatives for the environment and the like, but the bad far outweighs the good. See the next section for clear evidence of that. They avoid tax, paying barely a cent in the UK despite their colossal size, and treat workers like robots, with long hours, harsh disciplinary procedures and poor wages. Do you really want to make them even richer by using their site to purchase items? 

Reasons To Avoid Amazon – Ecology & Waste

Amazon generated 465 million pounds of plastic packaging waste last year which was “mostly destined, not for recycling, but for the landfill”. According to a new study from ocean conservation advocacy group Oceana, the retailer’s plastic waste generation is “staggering and growing at a frightening rate”. In 2019 air pillows, bubble wrap and other plastic packaging was produced for 7 billion parcels, with waste from the plastic air pillows alone enough to circle the Earth more than 500 times.

Alternatives

Prime For Free

Firstly, instead of Amazon using you, why not use them? Yesterday i wanted to watch football, but was not prepared to shell out extra funds for Amazon Prime. So instead i utilised their 30 day free trial offer instead, which i will cancel in just under a month’s time. 

Reasons To Avoid Amazon – Support the retailers you love

As i have already said, support smaller, local businesses. See what is out there in your community. They too may deliver if you are not mobile, and may have their own website. They are also much more approachable and flexible. The retailer may order an item in for you, or haggle prices if need be. Alternatively, use search engines and the internet to source better prices for items away from Amazon. 

Go to the Amazon sellers direct

Finally, cut out the middle man. Many retailers shop on Amazon – in other words, not everything on Amazon is supplied by amazon itself, direct. So if you find something on there supplied by a small business that lists on Amazon, simply get in touch with them direct. As Amazon won’t get a cut on any potential sale, you might get a better price too.

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