I’ve been mentally drafting this post for over 6 months and scared to post it.
But this week I’m sharing a specific support tool for hypermobility and neurodivergence and I need to link to some products… on Amazon.
Why Amazon? Let’s talk about that. But, before we do, I want to be clear…
I completely support anyone who chooses not to shop on Amazon.
But I’d like to see more understanding (and less judgement) toward those of us who sometimes do. Here’s why…
Did you know Amazon makes most of their profit from web hosting?
Remember when the whole Internet broke for a day or so last year?*
That was Amazon Web Services being down. Shop elsewhere if you can, but our household budgets are a drop in the bucket for Amazon. They are raking in money selling cloud computing services to corporate businesses.
If you truly wanted to boycott Amazon you’d have to abstain from a huge swathe of the Internet.
Shopping online is accessible.
I’ve talked to so many chronically ill, disabled, and neurodivergent people who feel guilty about using Amazon.
Here are some of the reasons they may need to shop online.
- They experience sensory overload in busy shops.
- They experience chronic pain.
- They have limited capacity and shopping is too draining.
- They have compromised immune systems.
- They have children who meltdown after shopping.
- They need specific supports that are not available locally.
In cases like these, shopping online can be a necessary support tool.
Why Amazon?
Just because I link to Amazon doesn’t mean you have to shop there.
If you have the capacity and financial privilege to shop elsewhere you can easily take the time to find other places to source the products mentioned.
When I link to Amazon I’m just sharing where I bought the product. (I may also link to Bookshop.org or Libro.fm.) I also know that many disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent people are under or unemployed. And Amazon almost always offers the best savings for a price conscious shopper.
Especially for those with access to Prime shipping.
Free returns & exchanges
Buying a fidget, or a pencil grip, or a sleeping compression pod isn’t like buying a book. You sometimes need to feel the texture, to hold it, or to try it on for size before you know if it will meet your need.
Most sellers on Amazon have very flexible return policies.
When I tested the pencil grips for the video I’m making I was able to return the grips that won’t work for me—even though the packages have been used. Amazon will then sell these grips to someone at a discounted rate.
The Pencil Grip website not only charges the customer for return shipping, but will not accept any packs of grips that have been opened & tested.
As a small business owner, I understand. But as someone trying to find the right support tool without spending over $100 on pencil grips I’m thankful for the option to make easy returns. ***
Reasons NOT shop at Amazon.
One thing I’ve tried to do, as someone who does use Amazon, is to be intentional about where I make certain purchases.
Here are some of the reasons I might choose NOT to shop at Amazon.
- To shop secondhand.
- To buy directly from an artist.
- To buy directly from a small business.
- To buy from good.store which donates 100% of profits to charity.
- To support local bookstores—in person or online through Bookshop.org (for books or ebooks) or Libro.fm (for audiobooks).
There are many ways to resist.
I may not be able to quit Amazon. But, there are other ways I resist.
- All of my books have free versions available to those experiencing financial hardship. (This will continue with How it Feels to Me. We are working on creating a professionally narrated video version free to all.)
- I’m always happy to trade for my books and zines!
- Books sold through my web shop are author copies and Amazon does not get a cut of the profits! (Additionally, How it Feels to Me hardcovers are printed by Mixam and not sold through Amazon at all!)
We should stop expecting everyone to be perfect.
It’s easy to get fixated on where to shop and forget other important ways you can advocate for causes you care about. Instead of judging folks for shopping at Amazon, ask what positive action you can take.
Let’s stop wasting energy bickering with each other.
/ rant
Thanks for listening. I appreciate you.
If you’re also a begrudging Amazon shopper I hope you feel less alone. Guilt and shame are toxic and help no one. We’re all doing our best out here.
Cheers,
FOOTNOTES
* This is hyperbole. AWS is not the WHOLE internet, but is a huge portion of it.
** I left my own position as a university instructor last year for health reasons. I do write & sell books, but currently my creative projects are breaking even and not making a profit.
*** I recognize that making returns can be difficult and is not accessible for everyone. I’m really lucky to have a partner who takes care of most of the returns for our family.
**** Yes. I used an em dash in this post. I never use AI, but I have been picking up some tips from my books’ (incredibly patient) copy editor.