So, it’s been 43 days since I bought anything from Amazon, Target or Walmart. Target and Walmart have been easy. I don’t tend to rely on them. But, Amazon. That’s a diffeent story. If you know me, you know for the last lots of years, the Amazon truck came to our house at least once a day delivering things I had ordered. So, saying goodbye to Amazon has been a bit of a lifestyle change.
I decided to boycott Amazon (along with lots of the world) soon after the inauguration. I believe in the collective power of people and I knew that changing my shopping habits was a thing I could and should do.
Not buying books on Amazon has been easy. We are lucky in Columbus to have many, many independent bookstores and I visit those frequently anyway. I have learned that I can wait a few days for a book–who knew? And I enjoy the excuse of a book pick up to visit the local bookstores. We also have a fabulous library system in Columbus and I can get nearly any book I want to read.
But it was the other things that I realized I came to rely on Amazon for that have been a challenge. I think it was a slow process, my Amazon shopping—as it’s been for many of us. I bought some things, then during the pandemic, I started buying all the things. I stopped going to local stores because I could order things late at night and they’d arrive at my doorstep by 7 am the next day. Convenience was the draw.
Yes, it takes a bit more planning to get the things I buy. Like where did we ever get computer ink before we started getting it from Amazon? But over the last 43days, I’ve realized that I’ve missed going out and about, to local stores, on a regular basis. And I don’t really need something coming to the door every day. The number of boxes alone were overwhelming and I don’t miss that. I don’t mind paying a bit more for a book when I am supporting local bookstores that I love. It is almost less stressful to plan ahead than to have so many things at my fingertips. I am not sure how to explain it but it is a bit freeing—the inability to have the convenience that Amazon provides.
Yes, I got rid of Kindle Unlimited and Audible. (I have been an Audible subscriber since 2012…) I unsubscribed to Amazon emails. I moved from Goodreads to Storygraph. I have loved Goodreads over the years but it is a very easy sacrifice to make and I am happy to support Storygraph. Unfortunately, my Prime membership renewed in early January so I couldn’t cancel that–although I will not be using it.
Halting Amazon purchases was my first step to really thinking hard about how I spend my money, who I support and what I can do during these horrible times. Shopping local is great fun and apps like Goods Unite Us have helped me research larger companies so that I can decide which ones I want to support.
And if you need a little more support to say goodbye to Amazon, Emily Amick has a good piece on her Substack.
This is one small part of what I am doing these days. It is easier than I thought it would be. It has actually been a good thing, realizing how capitalism has such a hold on us all. If I can do it, you can do it. Highly recommend.
*I am no longer posting to Twitter but you can find me at Bluesky @frankisibberson.bsky.social–if you haven’t joined Bluesky, now is a good time!
A(nother) Year of Reading 
Good move! I feel a little stuck- living in Cambodia I have fewer options for book buying. I love to support independent book stores, bit I already pay double the cost when you count in shipping, etc. I will wean myself slowly, but it will mean fewer books,
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Oh yes! I think those of us that can, should but definitely not if you need things that you can’t get locally!
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I’ve been trying to gear myself up to say goodbye to Amazon too because I know I have to change my shopping habits. But then I keep putting it off for another day. Your post is just the nudge I think I need. I dislike shopping in person, so I need to think about other stores I can use for delivery and also do a better job planning in advance. It sucks that Amazon also owns so many other stores too!
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There are so many ways to consider changing our buying habits. We, unfortunately, like the convenience of our neighborhood Walmart market. We gave up Amazon Prime, and we have a little independent bookstore. Thanks for nudging me to do my part.
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Wow, you have empowered me to believe that this is do-able! Imagine the statement if we all did it for just one month!
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Empowered…that is what the steps you share here can do for those of us who wonder what we can do. Money matters (seemingly to the exclusion of all else) for far too my.
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Thank you, Franki. I have changed my shopping, buying less overall, shopping locally, and choosing second hand stores for things I need. I don’t use Amazon too often, but now thanks to your challenge, I will rethink before buying anything else from Amazon.
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You make a really compelling case! I quit social media after being heavily into for 20 years — so I can do this! I especially liked how you mentioned the unexpected freeing feeling. I know myself and think I’d feel this, too. Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
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I’m not sure the “Economic Blackout” was the perfect idea, but I do love how it’s made me reconsider my purchasing. Your post does the same thing. I never go to Walmart and visit Target infrequently, but ordering from Amazon has become a habit. I was really intrigued by this statement: “I am not sure how to explain it but it is a bit freeing—the inability to have the convenience that Amazon provides.” Immediate gratification is not necessarily a good thing! Thanks for pushing me to think more about my choices and what they’re supporting.
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I’ve made the move to StoryGraph & I’ve been thinking about letting go of Amazon… this might be just the nudge I need to get over the hump. I’ve been putting off ordering a book from there all week; I think tomorrow I’ll head to the bookstore!
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Thank you for this post. I feel that I have been boycotting the system long time ago since the only stores I go are thrift shops. For books I go to Biblio.com or my public library. My husband usually is the one that goes to the supermarket. We live in the country side and buy in Amazon not regularly but sometimes. I have been using it less and less, though. I didn’t know the Goodreads was owned by Amazon 😳 Just downloaded StoryGraph. Thank you for keeping me in check!
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Thank you for this post! I wanted to give a shout-out to Bookshop https://bookshop.org/ (There aren’t independent bookstores in my town, but I love shopping at them through Bookshop.) I am trying to de-Google myself and that has proven very challenging. Becoming aware of the large companies who we use every day is truly enlightening!
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