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3471A recent post on Reddit struck a nerve among users who are questioning their shopping habits.
One user admitted they were disturbed by how much they depend on Amazon—and how uncomfortable that realization has become.
The confession opened a floodgate of personal stories, strategies, and warnings about life after Amazon.
“Amazon Is Like an Addiction”
“Amazon has really become a scumbag of a company the past few years,” wrote the person in a post on the subreddit r/fuckamazon.
They described increasingly negative experiences, including unreliable delivery times, inconsistent service, and what they described as “appalling” customer support from outsourced call centers.
But what seemed to bother them the most was how heavily they relied on the platform. “99% of what I order comes from Amazon,” they said. “Amazon is like an addiction and like all addictions it’s expensive.”
The statement resonated deeply with others. “I’ve never used Amazon, but I can imagine it is like an addiction.
At the click of a button you can have something at your house 24 hours later!” one Redditor commented.
Another user simply called it “instantaneous shopping gratification.”
For many, it’s the convenience and speed that hooks them. But that ease of access can result in impulse buying, overspending, and environmental waste.
Moving to eBay, With Caution
In response to their growing discomfort, the original poster decided to quit Amazon.
“I no longer have an Amazon account and any purchases that I do make in the future will be with other retailers,” they wrote.
Their first step? Trying out eBay, which they described as “a great platform” that may help direct money to smaller sellers.
The move was met with encouragement, but also some caution. One user warned, “Be careful with eBay… I have bought something off eBay instead of Amazon and lo and behold it was shipped from and delivered by Amazon with a gift receipt.”
Apparently, this gray-market tactic—where an eBay seller orders from Amazon and ships it to the buyer—is more common than expected.
“It’s against eBay’s rules so I left a negative review and reported to eBay,” the commenter added. OP responded with gratitude and said they’d be more vigilant.
Some suggested refining search habits to avoid this. “Search on eBay with the word ‘USA’ in the search box,” one user advised. “Many times, I can find a USA supplier (of a Chinese-made item) with a price lower than Amazon.”
Cutting Ties and Feeling Better
The post set off a larger conversation about how deeply Amazon has embedded itself in everyday life.
Dozens of commenters said they had canceled Amazon Prime, deleted their accounts, or simply stopped using the platform.
“I was addicted to Amazon—it was so easy. I broke up with them though—and that was far easier than I thought,” one person wrote.
“We’ve saved SO much money because impulse buys now actually take some effort,” another user said.
People also criticized Amazon’s waste. “It is disgusting how much stock and how many things they just straight up throw into landfill,” the OP wrote.
Others echoed that, mentioning how Amazon fails to donate or recycle returned or unsold items.
There was also a sense of personal transformation. “Yesterday, I was folding our linen napkins and noticed that some of the hems were starting to fray. Instead of ordering more, I used a needle and thread to repair all of the napkins,” a commenter said.
“I saved money, kept the old ones out of the landfill, AND I feel very virtuous.”
Still, not everyone has found it easy to walk away. Users in rural areas or on tight budgets said Amazon remains hard to quit.
“I’m poor and Amazon is great if you’re on a budget,” one user admitted, explaining they spent $500 preparing for an upcoming wedding and had few other options.
So, is eBay the Answer?
While eBay is frequently mentioned as a good alternative, especially for second-hand or refurbished items, it isn’t a silver bullet.
Several commenters pointed out the same issue: some eBay sellers are just middlemen using Amazon to fulfill orders.
Despite this, many users reported success using eBay with a bit of extra effort.
Others went further, suggesting shopping directly from manufacturers, using smaller online retailers, or exploring niche marketplaces like Bookshop.org for books, BrickLink for Lego sets, or Poshmark and ThredUp for clothes.
“Look for the item refurbished,” one user advised, listing microwaves and monitors as examples. “All arrived without any signs of use.”
Still others recommended resisting the urge to buy immediately. “Make a digital record of the thing you want—add to Amazon wishlist or screen cap, and then DON’T BUY.”
The main takeaway isn’t that Amazon should be completely abandoned overnight. It’s about being more intentional.
“You don’t depend on them, they’re just convenient. You can find alternatives,” one commenter said.
Breaking the habit has helped people save money, reduce waste, and feel more in control of their spending.
It also, in many cases, redirected money toward smaller or more ethical businesses.
Switching to eBay might be a helpful step, but it requires awareness. You may have to vet sellers more carefully and accept slower delivery times.
Still, for many Redditors, the trade-offs have been worth it.
“Cold turkey, baby. And honestly have not had a problem or missed it,” one user declared.
If you’re rethinking your online shopping habits, you’re far from alone—and eBay might just be one place to start, so long as you double-check where that package is really coming from.
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