Boycott Amazon: How to navigate around the industry giant
With a history of poor working conditions and worker exploitation, Amazon has a spotty reputation with the public. Because it’s such a convenient resource, many see it as an unavoidable evil, especially during this contactless delivery day and age. But it’s time to boycott Amazon.
A large portion of daily purchases from the internet go through Amazon, so here are some ways around it.
Buy direct
Amazon can be a great guide for finding what you need. When you find what you’re looking for, try buying from its website directly. True, you would be giving Amazon the website traffic, but not nearly as much as if you bought from them.
If you know what you need, you know where to go. Plus sometimes the product’s original website might offer discounts!
Shop IRL
Sorry, all my hermit friends. Most of the time, we go online because it’s hard to find what you need in store. However, this goes to y’all who could get the same drug store products locally, but don’t want to be inconvenienced by going outside.
Conglomerates take over when smaller stores can’t afford to stay in business. With COVID back on the rise, small businesses are likely to suffer again.
Be safe, but buy local if you can.
Avoid Amazon-owned properties
Here’s to the Whole Foodies, Twitch fans, and Zappos lovers. They’re all owned by Amazon.
With over 40 subsidiary companies, avoiding them for everything is near impossible. For what you can dodge, though, I would recommend it. The larger they grow, the more they will buy.
Check out their list of subsidiaries here.
Yes, I realize the irony in putting their website here. Hard to avoid, see what I mean?
Second-hand can be as good as first
Let’s not forget the value of buying things used. It’s much better for the environment, no manufacturing involved, and it’s way cheaper. True, Amazon does feature this option. But some sites specialize in it.
If you’re looking for something in particular online, eBay is the classic. It can be a crapshoot, depending on the seller. However, if their rating is good and the description is upfront, you’ve nothing to fear.
Just as well, thrift stores sell second-hand goods, often with treasures sprinkled about the mix. Want second-hand clothes but eBay’s not for you? The app DePop does just that.
Don’t use the internet
The only surefire way to not support Amazon (digitally). Live under a rock, it’s not that bad, really. Patrick Star digs it. That’ll show them… But let’s be real, we buy things online quite a bit and don’t know exactly where it all goes.
All jokes aside, your dollar has a bigger impact than just you. Spend how you see fit, friends.