Hello, comrades. It is I, JK of Hijinx Mixed Media, coming at you with some food for thought. Here are some reasons why you should try your very hardest to shop Amazon less frequently. Ye hath been warned that this blog post contains some unhinged energy and colorful language that to be honest is well deserved. Here goes.
There is a lot of information out there that digs deeper into all of the topics that I researched and present to you today. I am bringing forth these reasons in an easy to swallow fun-sized fashion. At the bottom of this post will be some extra reading materials for you nerds who want to read more.
As a member of the 99%, I feel guilt for spending money. Especially on things that aren’t “necessities.” So many of us are buried in debt, living paycheck to paycheck, unable to afford the luxury of an emergency. That’s the result of a failed system (or perhaps a successful one, depending on your POV). I personally prefer staying at home with my animal companions, but going outside to find solidarity amongst the people has been endlessly rewarding. Mutual aid is the way forward!
The #1 reason to stop using amazon: Jeffrey Bezos. Jeff Bezos wakes up every morning and says to his robot girlfriend alexa: “hello i am jeff bezos and i am a greedy piece of shit!” Everyone loves to hate an evil villain. We like having a poster child to direct our feelings. Bezos is the perfect scapegoat for many reasons, and it’s not just because he’s a little bit fugly and would look great on a Big Brother poster (if you haven’t read 1984 by George Orwell ever or as an adult, I would recommend it. Go to your local library!)
Like any mega-corporation, amazon has many problems and gets a lot of praise regardless. Amazon sux for small biz, treats their employees like shit, has dumb ads, is definitely hiding something, and harms the environment to name a few of my personal favorite reasons.
Let’s talk a little bit about my reasons.
Amazon sux for small biz
I am an independent artist and small business owner. I have never considered selling on amazon. Most small businesses agree: amazon threatens their existence. Amazon does this really cool thing where they basically force sellers to pay them loads of add-on fees (averaging 30%) in order for the platform to do what it is supposed to do, sell their goods. The algorithm is designed to benefit amazon and amazon alone, suppressing competition and sellers who don’t pay up. (read more at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.)
From the horses mouth himself, “When you are small, someone else that is bigger can always come along and take away what you have."
-jeff bezos, founder and former-CEO of amazon
Amazon treats warehouse employees poorly
Maybe you have heard the horror stories about amazon employees being forced to piss in bottles in order to keep up with their ridiculous schedules. Warehouse employees at amazon have increased injuries because their employers prioritize efficiency over worker safety. Employees with health issues that would require them to use the restrooms for longer periods often get harassed and/or punished for their unaccounted for idle time. Employee breaks are measured using their product scanners starting at the last item scanned before their break until the first one after the break. That’s a hard 15. Amazon drivers have also reported being surveilled by GPS, cameras, and other trackers to ensure they are doing their duties efficiently. (Read more from Time reporting on their OSHA lawsuit.)
Amazon spends a lot of money on public relations
Amazon Prime Day’s last day is today, according to their incessant commercials on my free video streaming services. They spend over $40 billion a year on marketing costs and advertising, spending a significant portion of that money on public relations (PR) which could also be referred to as propaganda. I’ve seen the commercials where they pretend to be good for small businesses. They’re good commercials and I hate them. It reminds me of when you dangle keys in front of a baby to distract them from something. What are you trying to hide, jeff bezos? I won’t fall for your tricks, you sneaky bastard! (Read more at Push Pull Agency.)
With an educational background in graphic design and marketing I know that advertising is always suspicious and amazon did not invent being shady but they are trying way to hard to appear cool.
Now is the time that I will say something nice about the platform to affirm that it has succeeded for a reason.
Amazon is so incredibly affordable and accessible. That’s like its whole thing. With our ever-shortening attention spans, convenience is a priority for many shoppers. My favorite thing to do with amazon is to use it as a search engine then buy directly from the sellers website instead. Fuck you, bezos!
Enough of the niceties. Amazon is bad for our planet.
Have you ever opened a giant box and found 2 miles of plastic air bag void filler surrounding your tiny little purchase? Rumor has it that’s because there is no time for employees to get a box that is more suitably sized & plastic is cheap! Amazon produces over 200 million pounds of plastic packaging waste yearly. While amazon commits to becoming “carbon neutral” which implies that they will continue to produce carbon emissions out the wazoo while hiring a third-party to “offset” their harm with planting trees or some shit, they fail to provide an accurate picture of their plans. (read more at Los Angeles Times.)
OK great. Amazon sucks ass. Now what?
I just want to make it clear that you are not a bad person for buying from amazon. But like, have you tried doing it less? What the fuck ever could I do if not shop online at amazon.com? Before you click that sweet, sweet buy button, consider some alternatives.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Do I need it?
- Do I know someone who already has it (and can borrow it)?
- Can it be thrifted?
- Can it be crafted or made?
- Can I find it elsewhere online?
- Can I find it at a local business?
- What else could I spend my money on?
Friendly reminder: there is no ethical consumption in capitalism.
Before you go and feel guilty for spending your hard earned money anywhere but especially amazon, just remember this. There is no “ethical consumption” under capitalism. Like many forms of injustice on this planet, capitalism and consumerism is extremely nuanced and systematically engrained in our society. The burden of morality being placed on the consumer is victim-blaming. Many of us cannot afford the pricier “ethically made” products that ultimately benefit the very same corporations who are continually Effing us in the A.
There is a lot of green washing out there which is a marketing tactic that attempts to make buyers feel better about their purchases by pretending their products are more eco-friendly than they really are, typically at higher costs to the consumer. Marketing teams are good at their job. Who has the time to research all that noise? (btw they make apps for that).
Advice from an anti-social socialist:
Creating a mutual aid network is not easy but chances are, the structure already exists. I live in the suburbs of Madison so groups definitely exist around here. First you need people. Then you need to help each other out. The core of socialism is people. Neighbors, co-workers, support groups, clubs, etc. Find some people and get organized.
Follow your heart and try your best! Feel free to download share any graphics.
XOX,
J.K.
Some additional reading:
Armbrecht, Arwen. “Richest 10% are causing climate change, study finds.” World Economic Forum. December 3, 2015.
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2015/12/richest-10-percent-causing-climate-change/
“Exploring Annual Global Marketing Costs of Amazon by the Numbers.” Push-Pull. October 1, 2022.
https://pushpullagency.com/blog/annual-global-marketing-costs-of-amazon/
Mitchell, Stacy, & Knox, Ron. “Issue Brief: How Amazon Exploits and Undermines Small Businesses, and Why Breaking It Up Would Revive American Entrepreneurship.” Institute for Local Self Reliance (ILSR). June 16, 2021.
https://ilsr.org/articles/fact-sheet-how-breaking-up-amazon-can-empower-small-business/
Niedty, Bob, & Pomroy, Katheryn. “Should You Cancel Amazon Prime? Here Are 12 Good Reasons.” Kiplinger. April 22, 2025.
Pape, Olive. “Why there is no ‘ethical consumption’ under capitalism.” Communist Revolution. January 23, 2018.
https://www.marxist.ca/article/why-there-is-no-ethical-consumption-under-capitalism
Perrigo, Billy. “Exclusive: ‘I Feel Like I’m Drowning.’ Survey Reveals the Toll of Working For Amazon.” Time. January 19, 2023.
https://time.com/6248340/amazon-injuries-survey-labor-osha/
Shah, Saqib. “US consumer safety regulator sues Amazon over hazardous product sales.” Engadget. July 15, 2021 .
https://www.engadget.com/cpsc-amazon-lawsuit-hazardous-products-091349726.html
Wells, Tom. “Why So Many People Are Boycotting Amazon: 11 Major Complaints Explained.” Marketing Scoop. May 19, 2025.
https://www.marketingscoop.com/consumer/why-do-people-hate-amazon/
“Why Amazon Sucks Now & 8 Better Shopping Alternatives.” Hasty Reader.
https://hastyreader.com/why-amazon-sucks-now/