Or refuse to buy

  • XeroxCool@lemmy.world
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    7 hours ago

    I just bought some things on ebay to avoid Amazon. They dropshipped Amazon to me, individual packages and all, for nearly 100% markup. I don’t know how to avoid that and find “real” sellers dropshipping non-branded warehoused Chinese goods like the good old days.

    • sandwich@lemmy.zip
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      2 hours ago
      • sponsored posts are usually drop shippers
      • free returns are usually drop shippers
      • check reviews and search for amazon or usps or post office to see if anyone mentions how they ship
      • be wary of sellers with tens of thousands of feedback

      If you get drop shipped, report a problem say it’s damaged or whatever, and don’t let them send you the Amazon return - use the eBay generated label. Then they have to pay for it and returns absolutely destroy drop shippers. Then leave feedback saying they just drop ship from Amazon

    • The Postminimalist@sh.itjust.works
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      5 hours ago

      You went to one giant corporation to avoid another giant corporation. Buy directly from sellers, ideally locally. Find their own actual websites. Ask word of mouth for recommendations.

      • gastroglizzy@piefed.social
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        5 hours ago

        This only works if you don’t live in the middle of fucking nowhere. Buying directly from a local seller for me means Walmart or Dollar General. After a 25-minute one-way drive, I can choose from a few more big chain stores. If I’m lucky, there’s a private business that sells what I need 9a-4p, Mon-Fri for 1.5x the price anywhere else IF it’s in stock.

        Recently, I needed a network switch. Walmart didn’t have any in stock, but I could order ome online and have it in 5-7 business days and pay $15 for shipping. Best Buy said they could order one and have it for me in 7-10 business days, then I could make the 50-minute round trip to pick it up. There are no other stores within a two-hour drive that might even have one in stock. Amazon had it for $10 less than WM and BB and had free shipping in 2-3 days without Prime.

        I needed a switch. I can’t build one. I can’t do my job without it. I can’t afford to wait for one to appear on Craigslist. I don’t want to support any of those companies; they’re all union busters and Trump donors. What’s a person to do in that situation?

        • obviouspornalt@fedinsfw.app
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          2 hours ago

          newegg or something other than Amazon / Walmart. at least that’s what I try to do. find a company whose leadership is furthest away from being oligarchic shitheads (even if that’s what they aspire to be)