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Comment by izzydata | Hacker News Reader

At what point does the poor experience of Amazon outweigh its convenience and cause people to start shopping in physical stores again?

Or would people shift to other online retailers?

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I haven't ordered from amazon in over a year. I to go to physical stores and/or order from a reputable vendor online.

Actually it's nice. If I truly want it, I'll actually go and get it, or spend the time to find a reputable vendor. The added friction ensures I don't buy random things that I thought I wanted but don't.

I've not ordered from Amazon for 3+ years now. You can buy the same products at the same price elsewhere or generally always from ebay.

The only real advantage Amazon have is prime (if you pay for it) and simple returns, but you have to deal with a drone if anything goes wrong aside from that. Most other retailers have actual people that can make decisions answering queries

For anything outdoor related, climbing, hiking, cycling. I'll always go to REI and talk with a sales person there. REI seems to hire people who have actually used the equipment they sell, I don't mind paying a small markup for the experience.

Amazon reached that point for me a number of years ago. Since Amazon reviews are largely worthless, I don't use them to decide whether or not to buy a product. I do read them, though, because they often contain useful information about specific issues and usage tips.

Amazon is fourth in my list of where I buy things from. First is a local physical store. If I can't find what I need there, then I seek out manufacturers websites, or websites of authorized retailers. If I can't find what I need there, then I check out eBay. If that doesn't work, then it's Amazon.

This changed over the last year or so, though -- before, I would go to Amazon before eBay.

I think this parallels really well with the question of how much privacy people are willing to give up for the convenience of digital services. In both cases, it seems like we are increasingly willing to give up privacy and trust in the name of convenience, but I do wonder if there is a breaking point. If there is a breaking point, is it even a system that can be reversed?

Meh, I prefer having some real reviews in an ocean of fake ones than having none at all.

Amazon has been more expensive lately and most other stores have free-shipping now too. I've definitely found myself being much more open to shopping around and purchasing elsewhere than I was 4-5 years ago.

Amazon is probably in excess of 99% perfect service for me. It feels like a step back in time when I order from other retailers.

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