I've also decided, screw it, I'm taking an Amazon break as well (because they enable the above behavior, the world is worse because Amazon retail exists, CMV) -- boy, shopping for a particular thing is hard without them. Like, I decided to just order more Eneloop batteries, which stores local to me carry them? Goooooood luck finding that out (and I'm in the bay area). I'd love to shift my Amazon spend locally, but ended up ordering from B&H.
Rechargable batteries seemed to me to be a complete commodity at this point that they really aren't even worth researching. Anker is my go to for anything USB chargeable related and regular batteries have been totally fine using generic brands in my remotes. I've actually had more problems with brand-name no rechargeable batteries corroding in my remotes.
Eneloops seem to be the longest-lasting brand, I just pulled out an old eneloop that's been sitting for at least 8 years and it still had it's charge (!!). What I've been looking for is tests like Mooch does for 18650s but for AA/AAA: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/blog/links-to-all-21700-26...
I am fine ending my mindless scrolling, but I have realized how much I depend on niche reddit communities for good answers to specific questions now that I can't get to them and am struggling to find good results elsewhere.
aside from financial factors like shipping costs; there are some extremely niche products or small parts of products that would be basically impossible to find without Amazon or eBay.
e.g. I had a lint trap broken on my washing machine and I could search up the product by its serial number. No store (even the manufacturer itself) had the part a la carte, but I found some eBay listing and grabbed a replacement for some $15. Maybe I was ripped off, but I wager I could have browsed through every hobby store in town and not have found that part, or had have to try and compromise with a non-perfect substitute. Maybe some would offer to order it themselves but it'd be a week just to get an estimate. $15 is worth avoiding that hassle.
Outside IT it's still prob my main method to research opinions and advice while filtering out all the Google crap.
I think people underestimate the amount of curated info/answers are in reddit subs.
This blackout led me to click on r/popular and .... the horror! i remembered how juvenile reddit is, it s not good
Reddit was clearly not designed as a website that would last for more than 5 years. Now it's all coming to bite them, stagnant communities, powertrippy moderators, impossible to contain etc etc. I m going to need some popcorn going forward
As others have said, the real alternative to Reddit isn't a 1:1 replacement, it's other social media, it's Discord. It's doing anything else with your time.