Alternatives to Amazon etc

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  • Deleted user 5 August 2015 21:59:55
    I've grown lazy and routinely order everything from Amazon. Someone just described them as 'the new Tesco' to me and they're kinda of right, in terms of them being so easy to buy from, while thinking 'why do I buy from these cunts? They're horrid'.

    So, what do you think's a nice alternative to Amazon?
  • Carlo 5 Aug 2015 22:01:29 21,801 posts
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    Here, lazy cunt

    http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/the-uk-s-top-100-shopping-websites-603428
  • Tomo 5 Aug 2015 22:02:08 19,565 posts
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    Err... Don't think there is?

    Argoose? Someone once told about that. They even have magazines while you wait with a softcore porno section.
  • Deleted user 5 August 2015 22:03:14
    Another ubiquitous web-based company that sells just about everything, you mean?
  • Deleted user 5 August 2015 22:05:29
    Because they're like Tesco, and That's Bad, classic Purpleski
  • hillbilly66 5 Aug 2015 22:05:42 3,502 posts
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    I buy from Amazon, I hear they treat their staff like scum, bag searches and such.
  • mal 5 Aug 2015 22:06:01 29,326 posts
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    What stuff? Books, music, games, hardware?

    Music I mostly buy digital from the label these days. Cheaper, and more of the profits go direct, I assume.

    Hardware I google, usually hit a couple of random comparison sites that way. Recently, buying stuff from Germany usually works out better, what with the state of the euro and that.

    Books and games I still use amazon in the main, though it's fair to say I don't buy nearly as many of either as I once did.
  • Kostabi 5 Aug 2015 22:06:58 5,926 posts
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    But Amazon customer service is so good. Their prices aren't massively different to elsewhere and if something does go wrong with your delivery they'll usually have it sorted within a couple of hours, a day at the most. No other online retailer I've used even comes close to that.
  • sickpuppysoftware 5 Aug 2015 22:12:25 1,486 posts
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    Kostabi wrote:
    But Amazon customer service is so good.
    I recently wrote in anther thread
    I accidentally clicked on the Prime trial yesterday. You know the button they are making easier to accidentally click on the each passing second.

    No problem I thought, I'll just cancel it right away so it doesn't renew.
    I did that, then I noticed my emails.

    I was on Prime instant video for £5.99 a month and LoveFilm by Post for another £2 which is what it became when Amazon ate LoveFilm.

    The Prime "trial" cancelled instant video (as you might expect) but also switched LoveFilm by post onto some £7.99 a month deal.

    When I requested it be put back as it was before, which I had to do over the phone because email numpty didn't get it, I was told it wasn't possible.

    Apparently there is no way to go back once the trial has fucked with your subscriptions. I was told the best I could do was go back to £5.99 instant video and the £7.99 LoveFilm subscription. I'm usually very calm and polite on the phone but I'm ashamed to admit I went absolutely ape-shit at that point.

    So now I'm toying with either NowTV or Netflix.

    Absolute shady bunch of fucknuggets.
    I went with Netflix and am so far happy. I'm also looking at avoiding Amazon when I can get things for roughly the same price.
  • Not-a-reviewer 5 Aug 2015 22:16:10 7,686 posts
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    People still use lovefilm?
  • hillbilly66 5 Aug 2015 22:16:53 3,502 posts
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    I don't like, if you select free delivery, they manufacture a weeks worth of time before putting a fucking dvd into a postal system.
  • mal 5 Aug 2015 22:19:04 29,326 posts
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    So much stuff I buy through Amazon still is through their marketplace, and then returns get handled by whatever two-bit marketplace operative you're dealing with. In practice, the marketplace orders I've done have all ended up good though - there's more likely to be an issue, but mostly they just send out another unit if the first one's broken - no faffing about with labels and post offices.
  • chopsen 5 Aug 2015 22:19:40 21,958 posts
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    mal wrote:
    Music I mostly buy digital from the label these days. Cheaper, and more of the profits go direct, I assume..
    That's a thing you can do?
  • mal 5 Aug 2015 22:22:57 29,326 posts
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    chopsen wrote:
    mal wrote:
    Music I mostly buy digital from the label these days. Cheaper, and more of the profits go direct, I assume..
    That's a thing you can do?
    Well in practice most of it goes through third parties like Ninja Tune, Bleep or Bandcamp, I suppose. But a few labels handle their own sales.

    I guess with mainstream stuff you're likely to be stuck with DRM-based services I guess like iTunes, but I don't buy much mainstream these days.
  • Kostabi 5 Aug 2015 22:23:48 5,926 posts
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    chopsen wrote:
    mal wrote:
    Music I mostly buy digital from the label these days. Cheaper, and more of the profits go direct, I assume..
    That's a thing you can do?
    Bandcamp has a pretty good selection these days.
  • Deleted user 5 August 2015 22:24:21
    Lol, why would labels give more to the artist?
  • Deleted user 5 August 2015 22:28:52
    ZuluHero wrote:
    Besides, wouldn't you just think the same of any alternative you find?
    Maybe. Maybe not.

    It just occurred to me earlier that I went straight to Amazon to buy some music to download without giving any alternatives a single thought.

    They do offer a very good service, but I've also read/watched plenty about how awful they are to employees. Also, the tax-dodging, which you can view as us paying them to offer us good service, if you like.

    Sooooo, half-motivated by a desire to try alternatives; half lefty nonsense.
  • mal 5 Aug 2015 22:32:24 29,326 posts
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    Oh yeah, I'm not considering how much if any of the profits get to the artist, but I tend to only buy stuff from the likes of Sony or Warner by artists who are long dead. Current music I buy from smaller labels, who I reckon deserve some support.
  • mrpon 5 Aug 2015 22:34:59 37,366 posts
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    So basically Brem, you're after an alternative where the employees are sucked off everyday by Tracey from Accounts?
  • chopsen 5 Aug 2015 22:39:08 21,958 posts
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    PES_Fanboy wrote:
    Lol, why would labels give more to the artist?
    Depends really. Some bands are running their own "labels" for this very reason. From obscure acts like Public Service Broadcasting to established old timers like Prodigy. It's one thing that the internet has actually made easier for record labels, despite what propaganda the major labels whinge about. You don't need lots of money and levarage with radio/TV any more to get exposure. Fight the sheeple, wake up the system etc.
  • Deleted user 5 August 2015 22:46:29
    Yes, exactly! Self publishing is the way forwards, but those artists also benefit more from iTunes and even (spit!) Spotify.

    The best thing aspiring artists can do IMO. Then mobilise your network of friends to spread the word via social media. Cos that's all the marketing team does for you on label anyway nowadays
  • Deleted user 5 August 2015 23:37:31
    .

    Edited by Bremenacht at 23:37:56 05-08-2015
  • Deleted user 7 August 2015 02:13:41
    I hear Alibaba sells some sweet, legit gear fo' sure.
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