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Reputable Places for Online Shopping (that AREN'T Amazon or Ebay)

Arnox

Master
Staff member
Founder
Messages
5,288
I think one of the big reasons why people don't wanna switch from Amazon is that, understandably, they don't wanna go on a shifty site and get scammed. So, the good news is that I think this should be easy to fix, but it probably will require some testing. Specifically, we need to make a list of good online places to shop.

In order to meet the criteria as a "reputable" online marketplace, the site must meet these requirements:
- Must have a good return policy of some kind.
- Must have good customer service.
- Must stock a wide variety of the chosen type of product or products they sell.
- Obviously must ship products on time.
- Obviously must ship products as advertised.
- Products must be reasonably priced.

And finally, before we proceed, a quick rundown on a few terms. Some sites may have more than one term to define it.

Third-party seller - The site merely facilitates anyone or any business selling to a consumer. They host a listing, maybe also hold the items, but they themselves do not actually sell anything.
Second-party seller - The site receives products from some kind of maker or manufacturer and sells them to the consumer.
First-party seller - The site makes their own products and sells them to the consumer.

Current List (Incomplete):

1.
Etsy (etsy.com)
Third-party seller
Description: Focuses mostly on crafted products, but they sell other things too. I actually had a really good personal experience with this one. Ordered custom M1911 grips and the product was reasonably priced and was exactly as advertised. Still kind of impressed with them.

2. Newegg (newegg.com)
Third-party seller
Description: Focuses on electronics. Don't seem to have a lot of deals, but I also don't have a lot of experience with them either.

3. TigerDirect (tigerdirect.com)
Second-party seller
Description: Like Newegg, focuses on electronics. These guys seem to focus more on business though. I have even less experience with them than Newegg.
 

gaijinkaiju

Lord Inquisitor
Sanctuary legend
Sanctuary contributor
Messages
612
are you telling me you don't just buy everything of wish or aliexpress?
 

Arnox

Master
Staff member
Founder
Messages
5,288
are you telling me you don't just buy everything of wish or aliexpress?
I have heard and seen WAY too many stories of wish.com scammers. And even scams aside, it's crazy how much bargain bin shit there is on there. Aliexpress doesn't look any better. lol

Am I the only one still using physical brick and mortar stores?
Not sure how it is over where you live, but in the U.S., a bunch of items are usually only found online now and for cheaper. If you're shopping for something specific, sad to say, local stores probably won't have it.
 

Signa

Libertarian Contrarian
Sanctuary legend
Messages
764
There's an app called Public Square that's been building traction since the owner went on Tim Pool. I haven't bought anything from it, but it's poised to be what we want in a free commercial ecosphere.
 
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