A Year Without Amazon

What I learned, the Delivery Protection Act, and where I shopped instead

I slipped onto Amazon.com last week and realized that the last thing I’d bought was a pair of flip flops on August 6, 2025—navy blue, recommended from a newsletter I like, something I hesitated to order because I was trying to cut back on Prime, but did anyways because if she likes them…they must be good. The thin plastic strap immediately cut into my foot. It was nudge I needed. “What if I could stop shopping Amazon entirely?” I thought. No Prime, no Video, no Whole Foods.

I’d considered cutting out Amazon before, there are other businesses I’d rather support, but Prime felt especially daunting, more so than other shopping “elimination diets” I’ve done. The retailer had become a catchall for things I don’t buy regularly: kitchen appliances, cleaning supplies, phone cases and electronics. But similar to how I gave up Zara, and later big fashion brands, I approached this challenge like an experiment, a “Let’s see how far I can go,” instead of, “If I mess this up, it’s an absolute fail.” There were a couple of times when I almost caved, me popping onto Amazon last week was an example, but what I discovered from this experiment was that the friction I anticipated was more imagined than real.

It did take me more time to research other options—which was mostly me scrolling past the top three hits on Google, or opening up The Locavore Guide to Shopping New York by Caroline Weaver¹—but once I found a shop and stopped by, I felt so satisfied. I got fresh air, exercise from walking or biking there, chit-chatted with a person who was knowledgeable about what they were selling, kept my dollars in the community, and left with what I needed. I was also less likely to make an impulse purchase, and I didn’t see a signifiant increase in cost, which is something I pay attention to with a budget of $4,000 month (including my rent and health insurance on the marketplace).

This personal shopping milestone coincided with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announcing his support for the Delivery Protection Act, a bill that aims to “Crack down on [the] subcontracting model that allows corporations like Amazon to evade responsibility for dangerous working conditions and unsafe streets.”² Although Amazon has control over its subcontracted workers’ schedules, workload, and uniforms, they’re not considered Amazon employees. This loophole passes the burden of payroll taxes onto the subcontractor or workers,³ gets Amazon off the hook for having to offer them benefits like health insurance, and prevents Amazon from being responsible if one of their subcontractors injures someone on the job.

Proponents against the bill include Amazon—who commissioned a study that found the price of delivery price could increase by $5.20 per package, or $664 annually per household—and subcontractors who worry that the bill will put them out of business.⁴ With people worrying about the cost of food and job instability, I totally get why Amazon’s threats of rising prices and small businesses’ concerns are scary. It’s a fear that reminds me of a scene in the 1946 film It’s a Wonderful Life, where protagonist George Bailey cautions his community against giving all of their business to Mr. Potter, the richest man in town, who owns everything except the Bailey Bros. Building & Loan.

Just as George and his new wife Mary are about to embark on their honeymoon, George notices a crowd gathering outside the Building & Loan. It’s a bank run, people running to withdrawal their money because of fears that they’ll lose it. Against Mary’s pleas, George gets out of the taxi and slowly walks through the crowd of scared, anxious people. They’re his friends, neighbors, people he knows intimately. They want their money. George tries to explain that they can get their money back within the agreed upon terms, but then one of the men goes, “Old man Potter’ll pay 50 cents on the dollar for every share you got.” The sentiment is something is better than nothing, to which George replies,

“I beg of ya not to do this thing. If Potter gets a hold of this Building & Loan, there’ll never be another decent house built in this town. He’s already got charge of the bank. He’s got the bus line. He got the department stores, and now he’s after us. Why? Well, it’s very simple. Because we’re cuttin’ in on his business, that’s why. And because he wants to keep you livin’ in his slums and paying the kind of rent he decides.

He continues,

“Can’t you understand what’s happening here? Don’t you see what’s happening? Potter isn’t selling. Potter’s buying! And why? Because we’re panicky and he’s not. That’s why. He’s pickin’ up some bargain. Now, we can get through this thing all right. We’ve, we’ve got to stick together, though. We’ve got to have faith in each other.”

George ends up using the money for his and Mary’s honeymoon to keep the Building & Loan afloat, and the town is saved from becoming entirely owned—and beholden—to Potter. Later, we see what Bedford Falls would look like if the was no George Bailey, if there was no Building & Loan. The scene is bleak, the charming downtown replaced with seedy-looking entertainment, people eyeing each other suspiciously on the street. While this is a Hollywood movie, I can’t help but see the parallels between Potter’s empire and Jeff Bezo’s. You can buy your groceries from Whole Foods, get your healthcare from One Medical, shop everything else on Amazon Prime. It’s quick, convenient, and sometimes less expensive. But what happens if Amazon.com, Inc. ultimately eats up all the competition?

Now is the time for us to band together in support of our community members who work these delivery jobs. Now is the time to think locally, to support the mom-and-pop shops that make our neighborhoods so vibrant, offering extensive knowledge that’s hard to find at big box retailers. If you live in New York City too, I encourage you to call your council member and tell them you support this bill.⁵

I definitely don’t expect you to give up Amazon like I did. We all have different circumstances. What works for me—a childless adult with access to over 14,000 shops in New York City⁶ (and the time, flexibility, and desire to explore them)—definitely doesn’t mean it’ll work for you. But I do hope that this newsletter inspires you to come up with your own way to support small businesses, whether it’s those in your local community, or maybe one of the speciality retailers listed below. This choice may seem like nothing but a gesture in the grand scheme of things, but I’ve found that by exercising agency over my shopping decisions, from clothes to kitchen appliances, I feel more capable of taking bigger leaps of action around causes I care about.

Below, I share local businesses that I shop in-person that also ship nationwide, a couple nationwide businesses I prefer over Prime, and some hyper-local businesses for readers in Prospect Heights. I welcome you to share your favorites too.

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Local, But You Can Shop Online Too

Duman Home - sheets, towel, linens

One of my first Locavore Guide-inspired purchases. I wanted something other Brooklinen sheets, and walked out with a set of Duman’s 100% organic cotton, ethically-made sheets with a dainty hemstitch detail. They’ve gotten better with time, too. I’ve had them for 2.5 years now, and my friend Heather recently commented on comfortable they were while she was staying with me.

Tarzian West - kitchenwares

A Harry Potter-of-a-store, with kitchen gadgets and appliances piled up the walls. If we do a wedding registry, this will be on the list. Free shipping on orders $50+.

P.C. Richard & Son - home appliances

After two summers without an AC unit—both for aesthetic and science experiment purposes—I decided it was time. Originally I planned to buy direct from the manufacturer, but since they were out of stock of the model we wanted, I went here. Walking into their store on Atlantic, I instantly felt soothed by the presence of their sale associates who seemed like they could—and wanted to—answer any question I had about home appliances. I also like that they “service what we sell.”

Manhattan Wardrobe Supply - so many sticky bras and stain removers

A shop for stylists, costume designers, and makeup artists, I recommend them for their extensive stain removing products and wardrobe solutions. They stock the hard-to-find Carbona Stain Devils, nipple covers and bra tape in shades light to dark, strapless panties, and garment shields to product your clothes from sweating. And so much more. It’s really fun to browse. Great for when you need something in a pinch.

C.O. Bigalow - hair clips, hard-to-find beauty brands, misc. pretty stuff

Emily Sundberg’s newsletter about “Carolyn Bessette’s beauty store” inspired me to make to finally enter this store back in Feb 2024. I’d bought C.O. Bigelow lip balm at Urban Outfitters when I was in high school, but never ventured in to their shop. I thought it was too fancy for me, like a French pharmacy that doesn’t let you touch anything. I was so wrong. The sales associate patiently let me try on a zillion hair clips. I got this handmade one that I wear all the time for a super-quick French twist, and finally tried the Manucurist nail polish I kept getting served on IG. It is indeed as good as advertised. The shop will also gift wrap and ship orders over $50.

Not Local, But I Prefer Over Amazon

Fandago - movies

I thought giving up Prime Video would be hard, but it’s actually just made me much more selective about what I watch. Instead watching whatever the algorithm feeds me, I search with a specific movie in mind, and Fandago usually streams it for $3.99.

ThriftBooks - …books

My mom got me into ThriftBooks. I like my books with a bit of wear because I’m going to add to it. Sentences underlined, pages dogeared. Makes it more exciting to reread something, see what hit me then, how it hits me now. I usually try to stop by my neighborhood bookstore first, but for more niche titles like The Hite Report, The Norton Book of Women’s Lives, or Women in Clothes, I go here.

Hyper-Local (Prospect Heights, Brooklyn)

Vanderbilt Green Market - The guys here are so nice, and they make a killer juice for $6.99. I shop them for bulk pantry items.

Prospect Butcher - I was on a kick where I’d stock by here once a week and order a couple of their handmade sausages. I’d break one up and sauté it with broccoli rabe. Delicious. They folks here seem like they really enjoy their job too, which is a plus in my book when it comes to the preparing meats.

Precycle - I come here for eco-friendly cleaning products. Sponges, reusable clothes.

Thriftway Pharmacy - I ventured into this pharmacy for the first time when I was in desperate need of pain relief—considered Amazon Prime, but couldn’t wait the 1-day delivery. Well-stocked, with some woo-woo health care products too.

Unnamable Books - I stop by here like my friend Rosalee used to stop by Salvation Army: frequently, with a list of authors and titles that I’m looking to acquire. Sometimes I leave with nothing, other times with a fat stack that leaves me wondering where the heck I’ll put them in our apartment. I like their taste in fiction and memoir.

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If you enjoyed this newsletter, please like, comment, and/or share it to help others find it too. Curious about learning how to reimagine your existing wardrobe into new outfits? Schedule a consultation, or shoot me an email at hello@rdaviesstyling.com.

1. You can search online too, at https://thelocavore.com/, but I prefer having a book.

2. https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/08/mayor-mamdani-backs--delivery-protection-act--to-rein-in-amazon-

3. This is the tax your employer automatically deducts from your paycheck, which funds Social Security and Medicare. Your employer pays half, and then you pay the other. If you’re self-employed or an independent contractor, however, you have to pay the full 15.3%. If you’re interested in learning more about taxes, I highly recommend The Second Estate by Ray D. Madoff. Madoff makes opaque subject of the tax system so digestible, I actually read it on the beach.

4. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/nyregion/mamdani-amazon-delivery-workers-nyc.html?eafs_enabled=false

5. Find your council member here: https://council.nyc.gov/districts/

6. According to The Locavore as of September 8, 2024.