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How do you find small and large businesses with online storefront that we should support? Is there a directory or list somewhere?

How do you price compare at least on some basic level?

Is there something like a better search engine 'shopping' search?

If I were in a hard spot and had to buy from Amazon, do I go to ebay first since some small businesses post there?

How do you find small and large businesses with online storefront that we should support? Is there a directory or list somewhere? How do you price compare at least on some basic level? Is there something like a better search engine 'shopping' search? If I were in a hard spot and had to buy from Amazon, do I go to ebay first since some small businesses post there?

(post is archived)

[–] • 7 pts (edited )

Just search for the product with "made in America" on the web.

There are multiple "buy american" directories like chinanever.com/ you can shop at too.

I found something on Amazon I wanted, went to the products homepage and bought it there (with free shipping even).

[–] • 2 pts

Also ebay is terrible on sellers. They have no rights and the fees take half of everything they make.

[–] • 0 pt

So, use it just to locate businesses?

Wouldn't it still be better than purchasing from amazon if I search and cant find it elsewhere? Is it acceptable to just 'soft' boycott ebay?

[–] • 1 pt

I was only an eBay seller so can't compare but I got absolutely raped on there. Maybe the business have an upgraded account that isn't as bad. But Amazon, eBay and PayPal are all part of the same machine.

Just remember the internet hasn't been around that long and people got by before without it.

[–] • 3 pts

So far, I am 1) decreasing what I buy 2) trying to buy used stuff locally 3) buying directly from the company or another online seller

We will figure it out eventually.

[–] • 2 pts

Use eBay.

[–] • 1 pt

Yes this, I will often find a product on amazon with the reviews and such, then find it cheaper on ebay, but I also try to buy directly from the manufacturer if I can. Frys electronics is also good, and newegg.com are good places to check too. I have also canceled my subscription to amazon prime.

[–] • 1 pt

many ebay sellers simply are fronts for Amazon. Plus Amazon acts as the warehouse for many sellers. it is a safe bet that multiple sellers of the same item with the same picture and within a few cents of each other then are likely fronts for Amazon. The clever seller will have a different picture but is still an Amazon reseller--and there are times I will send a msg asking if they are Amazon reseller and a no response confirms my suspicions

[–] • 1 pt

Fulfilment by amazon. They will hold your items in there wearhouse and have integration to every major and most minor e-commerce platforms.

[–] • 2 pts

There are small businesses on both ebay and amazon. (Both give part of their gross earnings to the PC satans. What I like to do is find the item I want, then search for the item name, or company name, part number, etc and see where else offers it. Pretty often there are competative sellers elsewhere that beat the big sites' prices.

[–] • 1 pt

Is there a search engine that gives better results than others when searching by part # or item?

[–] • 0 pt

I use Duck but will use startpage, yahoo, and screwgle with a VPN and other anonymising addons. It tales more work but I'd rather spend my money with people who are not (know to be) my enemy. Things like appliance parts are often cheaper from US supply companies than cheap foreign imitations.

[–] • 1 pt

Amazon itself is the best thing to use for that purpose. Nearly every company that sells on Amazon has its own website. So what I do is look up a product I need, then go to the company's website and buy it directly from them instead.

[–] [deleted] • 0 pt

Same. I thought that that was normal procedure. TIL.

[–] • 0 pt

The other day I ordered directly from the person who's book I wanted, and it came from Amazon anyway. 🤦‍♀️

[–] • 0 pt

Was it printed by Amazon's platform as well?

[–] • 0 pt

Not sure. Quarto publishing group, month by month gardening by Walter Reeves.

[–] • 1 pt

Maybe they use Amazon's print on demand services.

[–] • 0 pt

You can usually purchase what you want directly from the manufacturer. Just search for the product (use quotes if needed) in Duckduckgo or your preferred search engine, and it'll be one of the first links.

[–] • 0 pt

What kind of products are you looking for?

Since most products are produced in China these days, it makes sense to buy directly using Aliexpress or Ebay. If we are talking about larger items and quantities, especially for business use, it pays to do some research locally and acquire some contacts.

In many places there are price crawlers that present you price comparisons for a large number of shops. Here we have a couple of them and the largest is notorious for billing the participating shops too much. Not that much different than Amazon in that respect...

[–] • 0 pt (edited )

Most items, really.

As far as current needs, computer parts, electronics kit/components, supplements, spices/non-perishable food items, boots, fishing reel.

I'd looked at aliexpress a time or two, but wasn't sure of the quality or reliability. Hadn't talked to anyone who'd actually used it, so wasn't sure how trustworthy it was.

It seems like I need to approach it one item at a time and start making my own personal list or directory.

Edit: Last time that I used ebay for something directly from china, it was wrong size despite their guide. It wouldve cost me $70 to return a $50 dollar order. I ended up using it on something else, but was pretty pissed. I try and buy from US buyers now even if it's an import but is why Amazon was convenient with their return policies.

[–] • 0 pt

Aliexpress is great for a lot of things, especially cheaper electronics where the exact same item can be found at a much higher price locally. They also carry lots of branded items, but you have to be familiar with Chinese brands, some of them are top quality but unknown here. For food and supplements you would have to find a good seller and that's extra work to check feedback and reviews. Clothes and footwear, again, I would be hesitant, especially with sizes.

If you are looking for computer parts like graphics cards and processors, many local computer shops do have some kind of web presence. If you are adventurous and want to try the items on Aliexpress, you can find some weird deals but it's risky. A friend bought a PC case with all the components and is very happy with it but I don't think I would take the risk myself.

It pays to know the market and understand the risks and even be familiar with each of these sites. You can also check other similar markets like banggood and gearbest. In any case, I would avoid buying something expensive, as returning an item is practically not an option.

[–] • 0 pt

Fuck that aliexpress is CCP shit

[–] • 0 pt

What do you want? American made, or lower prices for inferior products? You are investing in America when you buy American made goods. You are investing in China if you buy China made shit. It all boils down to where you heart is compared to where your pocketbook is. If your pocketbook wins over your heart, what are you?

[–] • 0 pt

If you find a product on amazon that you want, find the seller's website and buy it directly from them. You'll usually get better deals buying direct. The only downside is the shipping which might cost a few bucks more and take a little longer.

[–] • 1 pt

You're paying in taxes for the shipping difference. Free shipping on Amazon means the USPS is providing arranged shipping costs and that means your tax dollars are covering those costs.

[–] • 0 pt

Find what you want on Amazon.

Look up who makes it.

Buy it off their website.

If you can't, find a list of distributers.

[–] • 0 pt

you can find the product number, and enter it into serach engines or price comparing sites. i dont know what its called but every product sold has an official number like a barcode, the number can be found somewhere on the product page.

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