JW Rawles: Why I’m Leaving Amazon — And How You Can Help Starve The Beast

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bblhd672
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SurvivalBlog's James Wesley, Rawles: Why I’m Leaving Amazon — And How You Can Help Starve The Beast
https://survivalblog.com/2021/01/26/im- ... ent-282981
I’ll feel clean, once I’ve left the brown-tinged waters of the Amazon behind.

Let me begin by explaining that I joined the Amazon Associates program in 2007. At that time, Amazon’s corporate management was already liberal, but their politics didn’t influence the way that Amazon was operated to any great extent. And Amazon was not yet a provider of web/cloud computing services. I found Amazon to be a handy place to shop for books, DVDs, and various merchandise. They offered commission-earning links that never expired. By becoming an Amazon Associate, I earned an average of about 7% on any items that SurvivalBlog readers ordered, by clicking through from any of our links. Because I have so many readers, that equated to about $60,000 in income for the blog, in the first few years.

Then, in March of 2017, Amazon reduced their commissions by an average of 40%. And then, in April of 2020, they made a further reduction. That brought my Amazon Associates income down to about $30,000 per year. But it was still worth the time and trouble to create Amazon product links.
I'm not renewing my Amazon Prime Account when it expires in March. I've been buying more directly from manufacturers and locally.
srothstein
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I am not leaving Amazon yet. I don't have a prime account there so it does not cost me anything to shop with them. In general, I prefer to do my shopping in person at local stores. Not that I keep track of where the dollars are going because the local store is quite possibly a national chain anyway. In a real store, i get to see what I want before I buy it in most cases. I also get advice that I cannot get from on-line stores. I find that beneficial and am willing to pay for it in slightly higher prices. I also prefer local physical stores if there turns out to be a problem with the merchandise.

I do agree that going to the manufacturer directly or even to a specialist in the area, like a hobby store selling what I want on-line, is generally better than Amazon for similar reasons as local stores (except the seeing it before I buy part).

But I cannot leave Amazon completely. They sometimes are the only place to get what I want. This is especially true for things that are regional in nature and not in my region. Amazon is also good if you are looking for used things sometimes too. And they are the only place to get what I want in some cases. So I cannot say I am leaving Amazon completely, but they are not the first place I go for anything, even when they are the cheapest.
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Jusme
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bblhd672 wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 10:52 am SurvivalBlog's James Wesley, Rawles: Why I’m Leaving Amazon — And How You Can Help Starve The Beast
https://survivalblog.com/2021/01/26/im- ... ent-282981
I’ll feel clean, once I’ve left the brown-tinged waters of the Amazon behind.

Let me begin by explaining that I joined the Amazon Associates program in 2007. At that time, Amazon’s corporate management was already liberal, but their politics didn’t influence the way that Amazon was operated to any great extent. And Amazon was not yet a provider of web/cloud computing services. I found Amazon to be a handy place to shop for books, DVDs, and various merchandise. They offered commission-earning links that never expired. By becoming an Amazon Associate, I earned an average of about 7% on any items that SurvivalBlog readers ordered, by clicking through from any of our links. Because I have so many readers, that equated to about $60,000 in income for the blog, in the first few years.

Then, in March of 2017, Amazon reduced their commissions by an average of 40%. And then, in April of 2020, they made a further reduction. That brought my Amazon Associates income down to about $30,000 per year. But it was still worth the time and trouble to create Amazon product links.
I'm not renewing my Amazon Prime Account when it expires in March. I've been buying more directly from manufacturers and locally.

I have begun doing the same thing. I have found that most manufacturer's prices, are no more expensive than Amazon. I never had a prime account, they tried to "slam" one on me once, and since then, I don't think I have bought anything through them.
There is also a lot of knock off products sold as the real thing. And reviews are becoming more suspect.

While I know, that my shopping habits won't ever effect anyone's bottom line, I have been on a "made in America" crusade for products I buy. It is almost impossible to find that on Amazon.

While I know that any boycott. I might participate in, won't cause Amazon to file bankruptcy, I still feel better. :D
Take Away The Second First, And The First is Gone in a Second!!

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Tex1961
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I'm in a no win on this one... My main source of income is Amazon.. I'm what they call a 3rd party seller... I work out of my house with my laser engraver / cutter and I make lots of firearm accessories such as grips, baseplates, etc.. I also make decorative wall plates for the Nest Thermostat... Amazon comprises 80 to 90 percent of my yearly income. While personally I don't support Amazons practices, at least I'm getting firearms accessories out there... You would be amazed at the number of sales I do in California, New York, etc.. Lots of gun owners in those states...
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www.ltsfirearms.com
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bblhd672
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Tex1961 wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 1:43 pm I'm in a no win on this one... My main source of income is Amazon.. I'm what they call a 3rd party seller... I work out of my house with my laser engraver / cutter and I make lots of firearm accessories such as grips, baseplates, etc.. I also make decorative wall plates for the Nest Thermostat... Amazon comprises 80 to 90 percent of my yearly income. While personally I don't support Amazons practices, at least I'm getting firearms accessories out there... You would be amazed at the number of sales I do in California, New York, etc.. Lots of gun owners in those states...
So, if Amazon pulls the plug on all firearm related sales you're screwed?
Tex1961
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bblhd672 wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 3:26 pm
Tex1961 wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 1:43 pm I'm in a no win on this one... My main source of income is Amazon.. I'm what they call a 3rd party seller... I work out of my house with my laser engraver / cutter and I make lots of firearm accessories such as grips, baseplates, etc.. I also make decorative wall plates for the Nest Thermostat... Amazon comprises 80 to 90 percent of my yearly income. While personally I don't support Amazons practices, at least I'm getting firearms accessories out there... You would be amazed at the number of sales I do in California, New York, etc.. Lots of gun owners in those states...
So, if Amazon pulls the plug on all firearm related sales you're screwed?
Not really. I have a lot of other products that I make and sell. If people can’t find firearm accessories on Amazon they will just go to other sites. I sell on Amazon, Etsy, eBay and my own website. I have very unique items so not a lot of competition.
Texas LTC instructor
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www.tejasproducts.com
www.ltsfirearms.com
slowpoke13
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We left amazon when they put a banner across their home page,stating they support black lives matter. I dont. I canceled my account.
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