Amazon has been my last purchasing option for many years now - brick & mortar, CL/FB market used, eBay and then Amazon if all fails and I really need the thing.
Edit - the added benefit of this approach is that friction introduced in the process allows me a cool down period to evaluate whether something is truly needed.
Reducing the friction is precisely part of Amazon’s business strategy, and why they had a patent on 1-click shopping until a few yrs ago.
Amazon has been my last purchasing option for many years now - brick & mortar, CL/FB market used, eBay and then Amazon if all fails and I really need the thing.
Edit - the added benefit of this approach is that friction introduced in the process allows me a cool down period to evaluate whether something is truly needed. Reducing the friction is precisely part of Amazon’s business strategy, and why they had a patent on 1-click shopping until a few yrs ago.
Even if something you actually need is only on Bezos’ website, I’ve had some luck contacting a seller directly and arranging a sale that way.
An alternative to eBay and PayPal is needed! Thiel is up there too with Musk and Bozo.