Amazon Alternative?

[dcrowmik]

While Google’s unofficial slogan may be “Don’t be evil,” the OP’s reason for not wanting to support amazon.com almost certainly applies to google as well.

That is true. However, if one wanted to take this to the Nth degree one could go to the above Google sites, find the item that is wanted, then type in the bookseller or store directly into the browser address bar instead of clicking the link, thus negating Google’s ability to collect a few pennies on a pay-per-click link.

At any rate the OP has had the ability to locate the item and choose a different merchant, which was their original intent.

 

[Cath4life]

For those that care want to promoto life in a more radical way. You need to avoid EBAY as much as possible and Paypal. They are planned parenthood (abortion) supporters. Use your local businesses, walmart (not great alternative, but better).

Blessings,

 

[jediliz]

For those that care want to promoto life in a more radical way. You need to avoid EBAY as much as possible and Paypal. They are planned parenthood (abortion) supporters. Use your local businesses, walmart (not great alternative, but better).

Blessings,

Unfortunately, this is nearly impossible to avoid! There are products I can’t get locally and am forced to purchase online. I buy from eBay less often…but I like to use paypal instead of my credit card sometimes.

 

[AB_Juney]

Why does it seem most of the advice on this thread is how to find Catholic bookstores or books? What about those of us who find Catholic literature dreadful boring and would rather be sinful heathens and read secular fiction? Where’s our alternative, then, if we can’t go to Barnes and Noble, Amazon, or even ebay?

 

[Dale_M]

Why does it seem most of the advice on this thread is how to find Catholic bookstores or books? What about those of us who find Catholic literature dreadful boring and would rather be sinful heathens and read secular fiction?

Yes, sometimes we seem a bit overly focused on Catholic reading. Although, I would point out that the OP did mention that her concern for finding an alternative to Amazon was due to her distance from the nearest Catholic bookstore. So, reasonably, she was looking for a place to buy Catholic literature.

Where’s our alternative, then, if we can’t go to Barnes and Noble, Amazon, or even ebay?

Both Ed and I recommended having a local bookstore place a special order if they don’t have in stock what you are looking for. However, there are some other bookstore chains out there which offer online purchases.

A small, family owned chain which operates in the US Midwest is Book World
bookworldstores.com/about.php

You can order online though them, although their inventory only runs to a million titles. So if you are looking for obscure books, (e.g. The Marine Ornithology of the Cape Verde Islands) they probably can’t help. But perhaps you might want to look at their site?
bookworldstores.mybooksandmore.com/MBM/screens/index.jsp

They offer free shipping if your order is for more than $25

 

[Joe_5859]

In regards to the OP, it was Amazon’s CEO who made a personal donation, not the company. I’m not sure if that makes a difference to you or not.

That’s not entirely accurate. I can often buy books from “amazon sellers” where amazon’s only involvement is processing the transaction. The only thing to watch out for is a message that states “shipped by amazon.” I’m not sure how that works but apparently amazon will handle shipping for some books even though the seller is not amazon.

In these cases, the third-party seller has basically shipped their inventory to an Amazon warehouse so that people who buy from them can take advantage of the “free shipping” options (for Amazon Prime members or for qualifying purchases over $25). Amazon is still more or less the middle man in these cases as the item being bought does not belong to Amazon. But instead of just processing the financial part of the transaction, they also handle boxing it up and shipping it out.

 

[Cath4life]

Unfortunately, this is nearly impossible to avoid! There are products I can’t get locally and am forced to purchase online. I buy from eBay less often…but I like to use paypal instead of my credit card sometimes.

yes… it’s difficult and it can be done. I used to use ebay and paypal before I realized they are on the list of supporters of planned parenthood. I usually will search around for a product locally to help the small business and if it can’t be found, I’ll look on the web and buy with credit card.

Blessings,