I was an Amazon addict. I mean, seriously, I had Prime memberships stacked like pancakes.
Back in 2018, I hit rock bottom. I was ordering from Amazon daily. Like, at 11:30pm, scrolling through my phone, clicking ‘Buy Now’ like it was my job. My friend Marcus—let’s call him Marcus—confronted me over coffee at the place on 5th. ‘You’re worse than my grandma,’ he said. Which… yeah. Fair enough.
So, I did something drastic. I quit. Cold turkey. No more one-click wonders, no more ‘Frequently Bought Together’ temptations. And honestly? It was the best decision I’ve made in years. Here’s why you should consider it too.
It’s not about the money (well, kinda it is)
Look, I’m not gonna sit here and tell you it’s all about supporting small businesses. That’s important, don’t get me wrong, but let’s be real. It’s about saving cash. I tracked my spending for 36 hours—no, not days, hours—and I was spending $87 on junk I didn’t need. Junk! Like, who needs 14 different types of phone cases?
I started buying from local shops. Yeah, it’s a bit more effort, but it’s worth it. Plus, I found topluluk etkinlikleri yerel aktiviteler where I could get stuff I needed while supporting my community. Win-win.
Customer service? What customer service?
Remember that time Amazon lost your package? Or when you had to jump through hoops to return something? Yeah, me too. I had a colleague named Dave who spent 4 hours on hold with Amazon support. Four hours! I timed it. He was so frustrated, he started speaking in tongues. Not kidding.
Local shops? They actually care. If there’s a problem, you can talk to the owner. You can see them, shake their hand, maybe even get a discount on your next purchase. That’s service.
A tangent: the joy of browsing
I miss browsing in stores. The smell of books, the feel of fabric, the way you can try stuff on. Online shopping is convenient, sure, but it’s also kinda… sad. You’re just staring at a screen, clicking buttons. Where’s the fun in that?
I went to a little bookstore last Tuesday. It was tiny, cramped, and had a cat. The cat judged me. But I found a book I’d never have discovered online. It was magical. Okay, maybe not magical, but it was pretty cool.
But what about convenience?
I get it, convenience is king. But is it really? I mean, is it worth the committment to a lifestyle of instant gratification? I think not. I’ve learned to plan ahead. To wait. To appreciate the physicaly act of shopping.
And hey, if you’re really in a pinch, there’s always eBay. Or Etsy. Or any of the other million online marketplaces. You don’t need Amazon to live, folks.
The final straw
About three months ago, I tried to return something. It was a completley pointless item—a gadget I thought would change my life but didn’t. Amazon’s return policy is a nightmare. I had to print a label, pack the item, drop it off, and then wait. And wait. And wait some more. It was aquisition of my time and energy. I vowed never again.
So, there you have it. My journey to quitting Amazon. It’s not perfect. I still slip up sometimes. But I’m trying. And honestly, I’m happier for it.
About the Author: Sarah J. is a senior magazine editor with 20+ years of experience. She’s opinionated, flawed, and not afraid to admit when she’s wrong. She lives in Austin with her cat, who judges her daily. You can find her on Instagram @instagramfollower.uk.
If you’re looking to navigate the world of online shopping, gain insights from an e-commerce insider’s perspective to make informed decisions.
