40 Things You Should Never Buy on Amazon
1) Restaurant Gift Cards
You'd think $25 would equal $25 in every corner of the country, but there's a special place where dollar values don't match up—and that place is Costco. At the big box store, you could pay $80 for $100 worth of Peet's Coffee gift cards. On Amazon, you'll be stuck paying dollar for dollar.
3) Large Appliances
Amazon's selection of big machines (like fridges and dishwashers) is—well, how do we put this nicely — weak. Many of the ones that are available are sold through third-party retailers (read: you're going to pay a lot in shipping), or they're cheaper on competitors' sites. May we present you with this GE refrigerator (Amazon) v. GE refrigerator (Lowe's) argument as proof.
4) Anything from Ikea
We know, WE KNOW: The fact that you can buy something from Ikea without setting foot in the blue-and-yellow labyrinth is exhilarating. But you're going to pay a pretty penny for that pleasure. The upcharge on Ikea products sold through Amazon is insane.
5) Kirkland Brand Products
Kirkland is Costco's house brand, and that's exactly where you should buy those products. Yes, Amazon sells them, but you'll pay so much more on the retail giant's site. For example, a 200-count box of Kirkland trash bags at Costco is $19. On Amazon, it's more than $25.
6) Fresh Produce
Shopping for groceries online is convenient; we won't argue that. And since Amazon acquired Whole Foods, you never have to doubt your produce quality through the online retailer. But you're going to pay a pretty penny for that convenience. And need I remind you how much you can score bananas for at Trader Joe's? (19 cents. They're 19 cents each.)
7) Cookbooks
Amazon-sold cookbooks tend to cost around the same that they do from other retailers. The reason you should consider shopping elsewhere, though, is so you can properly fangirl over your copy. Target often scores exclusive signed copies, and the chefs' personal sites tend to have perks like that, too. Or, you know, you could support your local bookstore.
8) At-Home Hair Color
When purchasing hair color, the most important thing is picking the shade. While you could opt for a general "blonde" or "brunette" on Amazon, there are a number of mail-order hair coloring kits that provide the customization that Amazon just can't deliver. Madison Reed is a hair color company that offers color match consultations, however it don't sell its dye on Amazon.
9) New Cosmetics
Unless you're ordering a beauty product you've tried and tested before, stick to in-person shopping for makeup. What Amazon offers in convenience it lacks in being able to physically test a product on your skin—which can make all the difference when selecting a foundation shade.
10) Birkenstocks
Birkenstock is one of the few companies that has decided not to sell its product through the retail giant, so anything found on the e-commerce site is sold through a third-party retailer, AKA the product's quality can't be guaranteed.
11) Nike Products
Just like Birkenstock, Nike pulled its products off of the retail site, because the market was flooded with resellers and counterfeit products. The end of the two company's partnership means that any Nike products found on Amazon are not as reliable when it comes to quality.
12) COVID Supplies
While it's tempting to order a shipment of face masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes on Amazon, many third-party sellers on Amazon have taken advantage of the pandemic for monetary gain. Price gouging has occurred on numerous online retailers, so you'll probably end up paying an inflated price.
13) Mattresses
There are tons of online mattress companies that sell direct-to-consumer or through Amazon, but most people prefer to test their mattress out in-person before making the expensive purchase. Can ya blame them?
14) Charging Accessories
There are a ton of off-brand phone chargers on Amazon. Sure, they may be cheaper, but they could end up costing you much more in the long run. Knock-off phone chargers aren't made with power-surge protection and can lead to internal damage in your phone.
15) Trader Joe's Items
OK, waiting in line at Trader Joe’s sucks, but the inconvenience probably doesn't outweigh the pricey upcharge on Amazon. Example: A 2.3-oz jar of its famous Everything But the Bagel Seasoning sells for $7 on Amazon, but $1.99 in stores.
16) Couches
Amazon has a wide selection of couches for affordable prices, but there are still a lot of benefits to picking out a couch in person, from getting a hands-on test run of the fabric to sitting and experiencing the cushion comfort for yourself. There's no way to test either online.
17) Car Seats
Since there are a lot of third-party sellers on Amazon, it can be difficult to ensure that all brands have passed safety guidelines and regulations. This issue was raised when car seat manufacturer Jon Sumroy began crash testing copycats of his product sold on Amazon and realized there was no way competitors could have passed the same safety regulations as his brand, despite looking almost identical to shoppers.
18) Fine Jewelry
Sorry, but this is not the place to splurge on a #treatyoself necklace or earrings. Not only can you not inspect the quality of the piece in person, but Amazon doesn't offer returns for "some jewelry orders," so you might not be able to get your money back.
19) Luxury or Designer Goods
The Amazon market is flooded with products from designer brands, but the seller is generally not the designer. Shoppers need to be weary that scams and counterfeit products do exist on the site, despite the many counterfeit-detection systems Amazon has in place.
20) Power Tools
There's a reason stores like Lowe's and Home Depot are in the business of home improvement. The speciality stores are able to work with suppliers to provide the best prices for their customers, which is something Amazon just can't compete with.
21) School Supplies
There's also a reason big box stores are packed at the end of the summer. Not only do they have the widest selection on some items, but they aren't subject to price inflation, which can occur on Amazon during peak times for specific items.
22) Google Products
Amazon has been pushing its technology products—from the Echo Dot to the Fire TV Stick—for a while now. Maybe that's why there's a much slimmer selection for similar Google products. You're better off buying these items directly from the retailer.
23) Cameras
For photographers, Amazon is not the place to pick out your gear. While you can certainly find lower prices on the site, the possibility of third-party sellers can make prices vary more than retailers, like B&H.
24) Cookware
When shopping for a new kitchen pan, there are a lot of things to consider, including durability, aesthetic, and price. But if you only care about the price, Amazon doesn't always win among other retailers and Walmart often competes.
25) Bathing Suits
Nobody likes trying on swimsuits in person, but it beats shelling out money for an ill-fitting suit. Sure, you can always return it, and you likely will. A study found that at least 30% of products ordered online are returned vs. 8.9% at brick-and-mortar places. And who wants to deal with the hassle of returns?
26) Party Supplies
For basic party supplies, you can’t go wrong with checking out a dollar store for everything from utensils to tablecloths. Amazon does offer party supply bundles, but at a much higher price.
27) Luxury Skincare
There has been a huge problem with beauty counterfeits on Amazon. Because of this, shoppers should be wary of knock-offs and lookalike brands, as these products may not follow the same health and safety guidelines.
28) Small Appliances
When it comes to small appliances, like microwaves and blenders, a better deal can be found elsewhere. Example: Walmart sells this Hamilton Beach microwave for $65, while Amazon charges more than $90 for the same model.
29) Glossier Products
Glossier is one of the few brands that doesn't wish or need to sell on Amazon. The company prides itself on a direct–consumer relationship, but you may sometimes see Glossier products pop up on Amazon. Take note: It's probably a scam.
30) Underwear
Shopping for basics, like underwear, shouldn’t break the bank. Unfortunately, Amazon doesn't beat other retailers on prices for everyday clothing. At TJ Maxx, a 5-pack of women's underwear costs $15 and the same brand costs $22 on Amazon.
31) Books
Call us old-fashioned, but we love paging through a book to see if it peaks our interest before we buy. Sadly, this is not an option on Amazon. Even more, with Amazon now allowing book purchases to be sold through third-party sellers, it's easier than ever for scammers to sell used books.
32) Scented Candles
While there are discrepancies from brand to brand, Amazon is often beat out in prices for popular candles by other retailers (Amazon vs. DW Home, for instance). But prices aside, scented candles are one item that a customer should buy in person, don't you think?!
33) Perfume
This same rule applies to perfume. Unless you're replenishing your signature scent, it's best to test them out in person where you can, you know, actually smell them. An Amazon review can only describe so much.
34) Small Gadgets
Sometimes cheaper doesn’t always mean better. There's a misconception that scoring a deal on $15 earbuds on Amazon is great, but if they’re made cheaply and break, then that's money poorly spent. When buying from Amazon, always read the reviews and buying guides — and be cautious of third-party sellers!
35) Clothing
While Amazon has a wide selection of clothing options on its website—and even more after the acquisition of Shopbop—the retail giant has a lot of price discrepancies when it comes to size and color, which can cause confusion for the shopper and lead to a bigger price tag.
36) Batteries
For standard batteries, like AAA or AA, it's usually cheaper and safer to buy them at a brick-and-mortar store. This topic was raised when the retail giant was in the news for exploding batteries in 2019.
37) Paper Towels
Amazon is hugely popular with household items, thanks to its Subscribe & Save program. But putting your spending habits on autopilot means you lose out on comparative shopping.
38) Amazon Fresh
Amazon is now part of the grocery game, but there are still some delivery systems that outrank the retail giant. Instacart, for example, has more store partnerships than Amazon, which leads to wider product availability, and it doesn’t charge fees for same-day delivery.
39) Beverages
When loading up your fridge with your favorite drinks, you’re better off heading to a local retailer. A study from 2016 found that Amazon sold identical popular beverages for 97% more than Target and 105% more than Walmart.
40) Glass or Fragile Items
Amazon does a good job packaging its items, but with products traveling across the country, it's inevitable that things will break. While the company will often replace damaged items, it's probably easier to look local first.
Follow this list and you'll save SO much money.
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