If someone tells you about a boycott (or consumer action or whatever we are calling them now) and you think "I never go there anyway, I hate 'em." That is great! But, instead of just saying "Easy I already do it by default" consider if you know anyone who might shop who you could convince to stop.

What makes these things effective is when the people who *depend* on companies like Walmart, McDonald's and Meta go to the trouble of giving them up.

I gave up amazon, anything is possible.

I used amazon enough that cutting them out causes me some adjustments every week. But, every week that goes by it's easier and easier. And that's why these actions are scary for big retailers. When people change their habits they may never go back, even if the whole thing is called off.

I hate the notion that the only real power is consumer power, but I think we'd ignore it at our peril.

I used amazon enough that cutting them out causes me some adjustments every week. But, every week that goes by it's easier and easier. And that's why these actions are scary for big retailers. When people change their habits they may never go back, even if the whole thing is called off.

I hate the notion that the only real power is consumer power, but I think we'd ignore it at our peril.

@futurebird I was just about to ask you how you removed Amazon from your life. I have a whole sleep of recurring things I rely on them for that I can't get locally, or find other sources online for. Makes me feel stuck. And they are essential things for me unfortunately. Maybe I will need to see if I can find other companies to order these things from individually...

I've stopped paying for audible but have not stopped using the app. I'm working on that one. It's a little tricky and I am lazy. But, at least they don't get a penny from me anymore.

(Mixed up "kindle" with "audible")

@futurebird I'm not sure, if I understand you: I payed my kindle only once. What I have to pay is when I'm buying books. And this money doesn't go only to Amazon but to the publishers/writers.
Does it mean you don't buy more books?

I used amazon enough that cutting them out causes me some adjustments every week. But, every week that goes by it's easier and easier. And that's why these actions are scary for big retailers. When people change their habits they may never go back, even if the whole thing is called off.

I hate the notion that the only real power is consumer power, but I think we'd ignore it at our peril.

I used amazon enough that cutting them out causes me some adjustments every week. But, every week that goes by it's easier and easier. And that's why these actions are scary for big retailers. When people change their habits they may never go back, even if the whole thing is called off.

I hate the notion that the only real power is consumer power, but I think we'd ignore it at our peril.

@futurebird I quit Amazon entirely in November. I get what I need now from ebay and independent websites. I really don't miss it. Whenever I get an ebay seller that uses Amazon fulfillment, I write a review saying so to warn others.

@TheJen @futurebird Oh, is _that_ what happened? An Ebay order of mine showed up recently in an Amazon box with Amazon tape and I was so confused.

@futurebird My wife and I had been heavy Amazon users for years, but over a period of months we've gradually been shifting our spending elsewhere. I'd rather pay a little more, or wait a little longer for shipping, than to keep giving money to Bezos.

We're not completely off Amazon but every day I'm seeking out new alternatives. Today I discovered Thriftbooks, and ordered a dead tree book from their site.

@futurebird My wife and I had been heavy Amazon users for years, but over a period of months we've gradually been shifting our spending elsewhere. I'd rather pay a little more, or wait a little longer for shipping, than to keep giving money to Bezos.

We're not completely off Amazon but every day I'm seeking out new alternatives. Today I discovered Thriftbooks, and ordered a dead tree book from their site.