252

I've been trying to avoid shopping on Amazon for several years. For computer parts, I look at Newegg. For pet stuff, Chewy.

But what about all the miscellaneous stuff? What other websites do you trust when it comes to shopping online?

top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] nix@merv.news 92 points 1 year ago

Federated Amazon alternative coming soon?

[-] cccc@lemmy.world 24 points 1 year ago

That’s a brilliant idea.

[-] Ugurcan@lemmy.world 23 points 1 year ago

Until you need to reach out support for a fake 1 tb microsd card

load more comments (2 replies)
[-] sebinspace@lemmy.world 14 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Only if you love long shipping times. I don’t see how warehouses or in-house logistics could be federated when there is no house, so it’d essentially just be private sellers going through traditional shipping avenues like USPS/UPS/FedEx/DHL, etc

If that’s a trade-off you’re willing to make, though, then let’s fucken go

[-] nix@merv.news 8 points 1 year ago

That would be fine since itd take monopoly power away from amazon. Could possibly even leverage things like uber package delivery if someone in your city buys what you sell

[-] sebinspace@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

I can get behind this tbh. Rarely is anything so important that you need it next day. Businesses often need that, but privately, I don’t. I’m patient.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (1 replies)

Fun side story. My first job as a developer, I was working in a small porn company in downtown Chicago. We had just hired a few people, so being the only techy in the company it was on me to order a bunch of hardware from NewEgg.

It was supposed to be delivered days later. But no, they had an employee, just like a regular dude, hop in his car and deliver the order on the same day. This was probably 2006, so same day delivery way NOT a normal thing.

I rarely get to tell this story because I don't want people to know I started off my (somewhat long) software engineering career in porn and because who cares about this in today's world.

However, OP mentioned NewEgg, so it fits here.

[-] ExtraMedicated@lemmy.world 33 points 1 year ago

Porn starts a surprising number of careers.

[-] ExtraMedicated@lemmy.world 15 points 1 year ago

Maybe not that surprising.

[-] Ab_intra@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

It's not really.. Just look at how VHS, DVD and blu-ray became popular..

I despise the porn industry because it's so exploitative. But sometimes there are positive outcomes..

Just to note that the blu-ray was mainly thanks to PS3.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] selib@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

you can just tell this story without mentioning you worked for a porn company?? lol

[-] Porcupine@lemmy.world 55 points 1 year ago

Honestly I just order from Target. I know the products are legit, and I can usually do same day pickup.

(Lately I've preferred to shop in person. The stereotype is true -- once you become a mom, getting a Starbies and walking around Target becomes your self-care.)

[-] GrumpyFortuneCat@lemmy.world 13 points 1 year ago

I'm a 42 y/o dude, not a mom, but I'm right there with you. My friend and I would walk along the aisle by the side of the building to see what kind of junk they have for sale at the endcaps. Then hit up the electronics and nerd stuff, like Funkos and new movie releases. Finally walk down the food section to pick up groceries. All the while with some drinks in hand. We usually avoid the clothing section unless we need something.

[-] jetsetdorito@lemm.ee 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I've been been using Target instead of Amazon Prime. Shipping takes a little longer but 5% off with red card is neat. Where it really lacks is quality control over shipping. With Amazon an item getting damaged during shipping was something like once every few years, if even that. With Target since they don't control that part of the chain it's out of their hands, and it feels like 1 out of every 5 orders had something damaged to some degree. The app make it super easy to get a free replacement though.

idk if it still is since I haven't used Amazons app since, but targets app is so much nicer

Edit: off memory the worst case was some aerosol sunscreen was dented so it was empty on arrival and the the app told me I had to do an exchange in store for it. It's not that bad, but just stuff that doesn't really happen with amazon

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] jeanofthedead@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

I’ve found that Target ships counterfeit items time to time, as well as shoddy returned items. Amazon does the same. I typically buy my electronics from Best Buy because i know they sort those items into Open Box deals instead.

load more comments (4 replies)
[-] OwenEverbinde@lemmy.myserv.one 46 points 1 year ago

This isn't really an answer to the question, but I just saw a Mastodon post about an online store that's opening this October called Artisans.coop

It seems to be a cooperatively owned Etsy alternative, (and I can only assume it's a response to whatever shenanigans went on between Etsy and Silicon Valley Bank.)

[-] UsernameLost@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 year ago

I might check that out. I have a small Etsy shop that used to generate a bit of side income for me, mainly just enough to buy the occasional tool or some materials for personal projects, but Etsy has changed a lot since 2018. It's basically just eBay or Amazon with the veneer of "this is totally handmade." They pushed "free" shipping and decreased lead times, which undermines actual handmade products.

[-] OwenEverbinde@lemmy.myserv.one 6 points 1 year ago

My assumption that this was about SVB sounds totally off the mark now that you've put it this way. From your story, it sounds like this is about an entire culture shift that's been alienating Etsy's original community of artisans for quite some time.

[-] Misconduct@startrek.website 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I'm pretty sure the main issue with etsy these days is that they allow/encourage dropshippers so now it's just filled with cheap crap from AliExpress etc

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] orbital@infosec.pub 33 points 1 year ago

I'm not an Amazon fan either. But you may want to know that Newegg is owned by a Chinese company these days.

[-] rxjamin@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

I have heard this and mostly avoid shopping there as a result. Is there a "new" NewEgg that's like old NewEgg?

[-] Thassodar@lemm.ee 9 points 1 year ago

Closest thing would be MicroCenter. I believe they will ship, but their store locations are rare and spaced out. Closest one to me is almost an hour and a half away, but since the Fry's 10 minutes away closed it's my only other option besides BestBuy (barf).

[-] pmyourtwat@lemmynsfw.com 8 points 1 year ago

RIP Fry’s

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] Thetimefarm@lemm.ee 32 points 1 year ago

B&H Photo Video is a decent place but stock is always iffy. More of a consumer electronics store than newegg in my experience.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] RetroEvolute@lemmy.world 31 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I mean, it's still another pretty big company, but the Shopify "Shop" app is actually pretty great as an alternative to Amazon.

Basically, all the businesses using a Shopify online storefront are amalgamated and searchable in one app, and the UI is pretty solid, too. I really like that a business can have their own website with a storefront, but also be there for convenience and still be in the same system.

[-] Prismo@lemmy.world 12 points 1 year ago

My small shopify business thanks you!

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] GladiusB@lemmy.world 30 points 1 year ago

I go to Amazon to look at what name brands there are. Or Google. Go and order directly from the company. Their customer service is better and they usually have cheaper options. Plus if you need a modification that you didn't know existed, refer back to the the customer service part.

[-] spiffy_spaceman@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago

Plus, if you buy directly from the manufacturer, you know you're getting a legit product with a good warranty. Some brands also have stores that double as service centers. If I order Nikes and they don't fit, I can return them to the local Nike store. Many offer free shipping just like Amazon, easy returns, better color choices and no creepy tracking or crazy knockoffs.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (2 replies)
[-] teuto@lemmy.teuto.icu 28 points 1 year ago

A combination of Micro Center, FS.com, and eBay for computer parts. Anything worth researching I'll try and buy direct from the manufacturer.

Dumb cheap stuff still goes to Amazon because if I need a $2 female USB-B to male USB-C adaptor or something like that I'm not willing to go through more than about 5 mins of searching and I know there's some random blob of letters company on the Amazon marketplace that will give me something that functions. I definitely wait until I have something critical or reach $30+ before actually placing the order though.

[-] Maxaroniandcheese@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

Have you tried Monoprice? It's been a while since I've had to order anything from them but they were always my goto for cables, adaptors, etc.

[-] theangryseal@lemmy.world 21 points 1 year ago

Believe it or not I’ve never used Amazon.

I’m old, I never left eBay. I’ve seen things I want a lot cheaper on there though. I just don’t want to give them my money.

load more comments (3 replies)
[-] Bishma@discuss.tchncs.de 20 points 1 year ago

For a lot of consumer electronics (and of course camera and video) I go with B&H

load more comments (7 replies)
[-] badbrainstorm@lemmy.world 20 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I use Amazon to shop often times, and then just buy directly from the vendor. May take a little longer to mail or cost a tiny bit more, but worth it to me

load more comments (3 replies)
[-] theywilleatthestars@lemmy.world 17 points 1 year ago
load more comments (5 replies)
[-] dannoffs@lemmy.sdf.org 10 points 1 year ago

I know it's not feasible for everyone, or even most people, but I just generally avoid shopping online as much as possible.

[-] Psythik@lemm.ee 9 points 1 year ago

That's fine if you're not a geek nor a tinkerer (or a musician), but unfortunately my hobbies aren't sold in stores anymore.

I miss RadioShack, Fry's Electronics, and music stores that don't charge a 30% markup.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (4 replies)
[-] thedarkfly@feddit.nl 10 points 1 year ago

In Belgium & Netherlands, we have an alternative called Bol. I use it, but I wonder how much more ethical it is in the end.

[-] Dagwood222@lemm.ee 9 points 1 year ago
[-] GabagoolEnjoyer@lemmynsfw.com 24 points 1 year ago

Unsure if you're aware, but Abe Books is a subsidiary of Amazon. Check it out under their "About Us" page.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] Indyjane@lemmy.blahaj.zone 10 points 1 year ago

Abe Books was acquired by Amazon in 2008. Consider Alibris or Thrift books.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (1 replies)
[-] lntl@lemmy.sdf.org 8 points 1 year ago

eBay! Craigslist!

Craigslist is more fun but more limited. eBay for the things I can't find on CL. Both really enable you to shop locally too which is excellent

load more comments (4 replies)
[-] rem26_art@kbin.social 7 points 1 year ago

If it's something I know I want to buy from a specific brand, I'd rather just buy from the vendor directly if that's an option.

[-] Bilbo@hobbit.world 6 points 1 year ago

For painters, dickblick.com sells Liquitex and Golden paint cheaper than Amazon.

[-] Emperor@feddit.uk 6 points 1 year ago

eBay for general stuff, ABE Books for... well books and HMV/Zavvi for films.

[-] jfx@discuss.tchncs.de 5 points 1 year ago

You know that abebooks is a subsidiary of Amazon, right? As is ZVAB in Europe. They really have the market by the reins.

load more comments (2 replies)
[-] Aviandelight@mander.xyz 6 points 1 year ago

I love Chewy! I also like to buy gifts and handmade items on Etsy.

load more comments
view more: next ›
this post was submitted on 05 Aug 2023
252 points (99.2% liked)

Ask Lemmy

26669 readers
1449 users here now

A Fediverse community for open-ended, thought provoking questions


Rules: (interactive)


1) Be nice and; have funDoxxing, trolling, sealioning, racism, and toxicity are not welcomed in AskLemmy. Remember what your mother said: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In addition, the site-wide Lemmy.world terms of service also apply here. Please familiarize yourself with them


2) All posts must end with a '?'This is sort of like Jeopardy. Please phrase all post titles in the form of a proper question ending with ?


3) No spamPlease do not flood the community with nonsense. Actual suspected spammers will be banned on site. No astroturfing.


4) NSFW is okay, within reasonJust remember to tag posts with either a content warning or a [NSFW] tag. Overtly sexual posts are not allowed, please direct them to either !asklemmyafterdark@lemmy.world or !asklemmynsfw@lemmynsfw.com. NSFW comments should be restricted to posts tagged [NSFW].


5) This is not a support community.
It is not a place for 'how do I?', type questions. If you have any questions regarding the site itself or would like to report a community, please direct them to Lemmy.world Support or email info@lemmy.world. For other questions check our partnered communities list, or use the search function.


Reminder: The terms of service apply here too.

Partnered Communities:

Tech Support

No Stupid Questions

You Should Know

Reddit

Jokes

Ask Ouija


Logo design credit goes to: tubbadu


founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS