Why the hell is Amazon so expensive?

[Courser]

I hadn’t used Amazon for a while but had watched a YouTube video about Ellumiere garden lighting.
YouTube bloke rabbited on about Amazon so that’s where I looked.

Then I did a quick search and found other suppliers who were literally half the price for the same kit !

Had a look at other gear, bike stuff, fishing stuff, whatever, yup, much more expensive on Amazon

I remember Amazon always being a bit more expensive but bloody hell they are taking the proverbial nowadays.

[Crumpet]

I’ve cancelled my subscription as half the stuff is just Chinese tat and the rest overpriced. And if I want Chinese tat it’s usually cheaper from an eBay supplier.

That being said, I think the new series of Reacher is coming up so might need to reinstate it to watch that…..

[Puzzles]

It’s expensive because Amazon charge big fees to sellers, they increase admin burden, and then theres the astronomical level of returns the seller is almost forced to cover.

It’s all a bit crap.

[Jamescrs]

Crumpet said:

I ve cancelled my subscription as half the stuff is just Chinese tat and the rest overpriced. And if I want Chinese tat it s usually cheaper from an eBay supplier.

I think I’ll be doing the same fairly shortly, one example is yesterday I was searching for birthday presents for my daughter, specifically Lego and I was searching by the brand, most of the top results returned were nasty Chinese copy brands of Lego and I had to scroll well down the list to find anything like what I was looking for.

Prime delivery now doesn’t appear to be what it used to be either, most stuff I was looking for was always either same day or next day delivery but that’s becoming less common on items too.

Amazon was never overly cheap but it was fast and convenient, it’s now losing those points too.

[Mr Pointy]

Jamescrs said:

I think I ll be doing the same fairly shortly, one example is yesterday I was searching for birthday presents for my daughter, specifically Lego and I was searching by the brand, most of the top results returned were nasty Chinese copy brands of Lego and I had to scroll well down the list to find anything like what I was looking for.

There are browser extensions that will grey out or hide items that seem to not be from genuine brands.

[Quattr04.]

Simple

The drew people in with cheaper goods than on the high street, free shipping the next day, now they ve got a massive market share they ve jacked up prices and made service worse and people either don t care or just think Amazon is cheapest without doing any research

Now they do dirty tricks like you add 2 things to the basket but if they aren’t both dispatched by Amazon they still charge you shipping

It s the most American capitalist model going

I refuse to buy anything from there

[ARH]

Temu do next day shipping from the local UK warehouse, at worst it will be 2 days. Even from China it often arrives in 5 days. Why would you buy stuff from Amazon if you have to pay monthly to get free next day delivery.

Aliexpress always comes within 7 days or you get a voucher to buy more tat.

[cliffords]

I am extremely selective on what I buy and price check.
It's not always the most expensive, sometimes the opposite.
I recently started the subscription, monthly, as I injured myself and need a couple of months at home getting better.
I have watched a bit of the TV too and quite enjoyed it .

However as I recover, I think I will end it in about a month as I hate the whole set up.

[Doesitdrive]

Did you really not see what was coming?

The selling of convenience. Destroying the high street. Building a culture of laziness and wanting it now.

The business model is very obvious.

[simon_harris]

you've got to laugh when someone complains about Amazons crappy business model and someone offers temu as an alternative!

[MC Bodge]

I sometimes buy (used) books via Amazon, but little else.

Some people appear to buy everything from them.

[kambites]

We still find that they have the best price to convenience ratio for many things, but certainly not all. Long gone are the days when you could just order major items from Amazon without checking prices elsewhere.

[The Three D Mucketeer]

I buy loads from AMAZON, it's my first port of call ... household stuff (from freezer ally trays , batteries , air fresheners) , clothes (ECCO shoes and Levi jeans) ... Even if it is expensive it saves me time hunting or getting the car out .I am careful choosing the supplier and prefer AMAZON themselves.
I still enjoy my weekly food shopping trips , but that's an excuse to give the TVRs a run .

Edited by The Three D Mucketeer on Wednesday 12th August 09:44

[OutInTheShed]

Goods generally are getting more expensive.

Amazon is often worth a look, not always super cheap, but generally reliably quick delivery.

I've found ebay to be increasingly disappointing on delivery times, too many ship-from-China operators who state 2 day delivery from the UK, then, once you've placed the order, the tracking estimate is 5 days or so.

Sometimes, Amazon's delivery is worth a small premium. More so if they have a late-opening collection point within walking distance.

I've used AliExpress for some fairly low value items, can't complain.

[RotorRambler]

Pretty competitive, but always worth looking around.
I upgraded some of my Apple stuff within the last year, Amazon far far cheaper than even the Apple store etc.
Plus great service here. Press a button, it’s invariably delivered the next day.
Anyone else at the mercy of their random couriers or Royal Mail, anything can happen..
I do buy used books from Ebay for peanuts.
My local High St was dead as a Dodo years ago.
Only really go to a town now as a destination / eateries not planning to buy anything as they rarely have what you want anyway..

[NDA]

I buy pretty much everything from Amazon largely for the convenience - I occasionally check the pricing and very rarely Amazon will be more expensive. But not by much and then delivery charges Vs free Prime delivery needs to be factored in.

Aliexpress is very good for some items - very efficient and a fraction of the cost.

[KobayashiMaru86]

They also have Amazon Haul now which really is chinese tat like Temu or Aliexpress or Shein. I've known first hand Amazon to sell the same products private sellers are at a loss to stop them selling so they can be sole supplier if a new brand becomes popular. It's really not cheap anymore. Delivery is either late or not free unless you spend over £20. If it wasn't for Clarksons Farm I'd have cancelled the sub years ago.

Edited by KobayashiMaru86 on Wednesday 12th August 10:50

[FourWheelDrift]

Don't buy off Amazon without an Ebay, Pricerunner comparison or AliExpress check first. Or if it's a named manufacturer their own website as they could be doing their own deals.

Everything has gone downhill, delivery times, delivery service whilst prices have gone up.

[Renegade Master]

FourWheelDrift said:

Don't buy off Amazon without an Ebay, Pricerunner comparison or AliExpress check first. Or if it's a named manufacturer their own website as they could be doing their own deals.

Everything has gone downhill, delivery times, delivery service whilst prices have gone up.

I do the same.

Most ordinary day to day items like AA batteries, kids books, branded chargers, cables, home/car cleaning products, cosmetics, glue, etc are usually always bought from Amazon as the price is right and the next-day delivery via Prime is great.

But for everything else, as said above, it is always worth checking eBay, AliExpress, or just plain old online shops.

Just one recent example: Kids remote controlled plane - £35 on Amazon. Identical item was £17 on Ali express and it delivered within 4 days.

I wouldn't want to be without Amazon, but it is always worth shopping around the other options.

[Peterpetrole]

Ultra competitive market, and Amazon still by and large winning.

If anyone can make drone delivery feasible then they will be the next winners.