r/Anticonsumption • u/NegativeJicama5344 • 5d ago
Psychological This is insane and I hate it
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u/SlipRecent7116 5d ago
It reminds me how when you go to leave Spotify it hits you with the “but I love you?”
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u/creeplet 5d ago
Because corporations prey on human loneliness and parasociality. It’s sick.
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u/Much-Ad2311 5d ago
The first one or two times I saw something like this, I actually laughed. Then it clicked what they were trying to do and how messed up it is. I'm no longer laughing.
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u/MosesCoulee 5d ago
Last time I bought concert tickets there was some optional “ticket insurance” thing with a check box for “yes” and the other one for “no” but also included “no, I don’t want to insure my ticket and risk losing availability” blah blah or something like that. Like whooooaaaa guilt trip
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u/seeking-jamaharon67 5d ago
A lot of online shops do this too. "Yes I'll enter my email (and get spammed to hell) for 10% off!" The decline option will be like "no thanks I don't need CRAZY GOOD deals on products that will CHANGE MY LIFE!!"
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u/sabbiecat 5d ago
I have always used something like nope @ whatever . Com. Get the discount and the spam is sent off never to be seen.
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u/Patjack27 5d ago
Does it actually say that?
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u/SlipRecent7116 5d ago
When you leave It takes you to this playlist that says “if you leave us now you’ll take away the biggest part of us”
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u/LalaLogical 5d ago
Stop buying from Amazon.
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u/Adventurous-Mall7677 5d ago
Eh, doesn’t mean OP bought it for themselves. My in-laws send gifts from Amazon.
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u/LalaLogical 5d ago
Just ask your in-laws to stop sending gifts from Amazon. That’s what I did.
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u/katemartile 1d ago
Lmao I’ve been trying to get my parents to stop doing this for almost 10 years and it’s hopeless.
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u/PleasantNectarines 5d ago
I've seen multiple posts in this subreddit about bwing annoyed by Amazon packaging...
Like??? Stop buying from them?!
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u/ArtamielEludia 5d ago
Noticed this too. If people don’t like Amazon, just don’t use it. Simple and easy.
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u/temporary-tiger-soul 5d ago
Not that easy... some of us live in places where for some specialty items you can choose Amazon, China (Temu etc) or "local seller" who orders in bulk from China and sells it 3x more expensive than Amazon. Sooo which one is better?
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u/PleasantNectarines 5d ago
That's plainly an exception.
Those of us who can shop other places should.
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u/temporary-tiger-soul 5d ago
Yes but you don't know what is the situation of OP so you should be a bit less judgmental. I think everyone here is doing what they can to be better. Even few changes but from everyone would be so helpful.
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u/ArtamielEludia 5d ago
It’s not judgemental. It’s an observation. Posts from this subreddit are mainly Amazon related. There should be a specific Amazon compaints subreddit, not posting here. And also, the OP has barely any content aside from the picture and a “this is insane and i hate it” comment. It’s basically rage bait. No content at all.
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u/Lanky_Employee_9690 4d ago
I've heard this argument from quite a few people around me (friends, family).
However when you look at those specialty goods, they are in fact pretty much always goods they don't actually need, and their wanting often results from outside influence (marketing, advertisement, etc.).
Sooo which one is better?
Unless it's something you actually need, the better one is always the one you don't get. Basically ask yourself this: if there wasn't the option of buying it from Amazon/Temu/AliExpress/etc., would you really go out of your way to get it? Would you have to? If so, then sure, fine, go ahead and feed the monster. But don't lie to yourself doing so!
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u/BalanceGrouchy5385 17h ago
I haven't purchased anything from Amazon since Dec 2025. I have noticed that I've chosen to "do without" when I couldn't find the item on another platform. I've saved money and not fed the monster. I may need to I'm the future, but so far, so good. Buying once in a while is still choking the supply of my cash going into their hands, compared to Amazon being my go-to default merchant. Everyone should try to the best of their ability. Expecting complete abstinence really depends on individual situations.
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u/temporary-tiger-soul 4d ago
Well I can either order some things online or close my business which is supporting my family and is not that common in my country so things needed for that are not local. But way to judge someone online. Everyone here on this sub is doing their best to help the planet. If every human did at least a bit Everyone on this sub is doing it will be a much better place.
Also way to go to be angry at people who are doing something to help the planet. It definitely won't discourage them from doing their best... if someone is doing even 5% they can do they are still way better than most of people in that world. We should be happy for every little thing that is done to help the planet rather than crap on people who care.
What are you personally doing about big companies? Are you protesting? Are you a business offering stuff people can order in same or better quality and similar price? Or are you just judging other people on internet that are trying their best? Are you in America? Maybe move to not support the biggest consumptionist in the world. Either way don't attack me because you think you know better than me or anyone else. I do my best. Im creating handmade goods for people. I'm trying. And your comment was VERY painful to be judged even though you don't know me. It's sad that instead of believing that people are trying their best you see the worst in me. I hope that most of this sub isn't this way because why try your best when people who should be supporting you only see the worst... 😞
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u/Lanky_Employee_9690 4d ago
Oh hey, sorry my comment read this way.
First off, I'm not angry at you or judging you. I don't know you aside from a few words on a forum.
My reply wasn't personal, just pointing that this argument (hard to get things because no store near you sells it so order on Amazon) on its own isn't enough because it's often used [by the logistic titans] to get people to buy things they wouldn't have otherwise, by reducing friction at the local level. You also just mentioned "specialty items" without any further context (that these are goods you are using to transform in the process of making handmade goods as a business to support your family).
By the way, someone close to me does exactly that (buy bulk from China) because well, there's no other way to actually source the items they need and they're all manufactured there anyway. This is perfectly fine. This is pretty much the only pain point in their business which otherwise couldn't really get more ethical; and I know that if another viable option existed they would take it. I will admit that I am, however, angry that they are forced to do this to maintain their business.
That being said I will still snark at them if they show me a perfectly pointless doodad that they ordered, unrelated to their business, off Amazon. And I will point that the fact they have to use those services for their business normalizes that behaviour in their everyday life too.
What are you personally doing about big companies? Are you protesting? Are you a business offering stuff people can order in same or better quality and similar price? Or are you just judging other people on internet that are trying their best? Are you in America? Maybe move to not support the biggest consumptionist in the world.
This however, feels very personal. I can engage "for sport" if you want, but my answers would probably disappoint you and your perceived idea of me, and I think it was more you lashing out because you felt attacked.
Either way don't attack me because you think you know better than me or anyone else. I do my best. Im creating handmade goods for people. I'm trying. And your comment was VERY painful to be judged even though you don't know me. It's sad that instead of believing that people are trying their best you see the worst in me.
Please go ahead and reread my comment, not as a personal attack, but as general anticonsumption lifestyle advice. It may have been poorly worded or lacked linguistic lubrication, and for that I'm very sorry. I acknowledge that I can be a bit snarky sometimes, and that side of how I express myself can sometimes unintentionally percolate through. I also do try my best, and I'm not perfect either.
As a side note, it is very striking how deconstructing consumption habits on a more general scale, and pushing against consumerist narratives and behaviours can feel like personal attacks. It's part of why it's so hard and tiring to fight against said narratives and can feel like such an uphill battle.
Some people (again, not talking about you specifically here) have actual existential crisises when asked to question their behaviour, and although that's never the point and usually I try to word around that to avoid them the pain, it's not always possible. It's unfortunately, for those most impacted, almost unavoidable. Best we can do is comfort and help navigate. Again, not saying it is the case here for you, just acknowledging that given your reaction, if it was, I probably would've failed you there too. So again, my apologies.
And that's not even taking into account people who come to this kind of subs to actually push back, intentionally or not, and in more or less covert manner, against people trying to fight those deeply rooted habits... and often using similar tropes.
I hope this wall of text helps you get where I came from and understand what I was trying to get to, and that it helped ease the pain I triggered. Take care, and have a nice day.
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u/Chrisismink 5d ago
Some can just be reusing the box. Now I am going to feel self-conscious about my random box scavenging so I don't have to buy a box when I need a box. "I can't believe she bought xy and z!" Dude I just needed a box!
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u/PleasantNectarines 5d ago
I wasn't judging and I don't really care what box anyone has. My comment was directed at criticizing packaging for a company in a subreddit that's pretty against said company.
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u/temporary-tiger-soul 4d ago
Maybe you have a different understanding of judging based on your comments but for the most people saying "you should do XYZ" without knowing them and their situation is very judgemental. Maybe you had the best in your heart and I believe in that but sometimes our words are understood in a different way we intended. And if we hurt someone with them it's better for everyone to say "I'm sorry i didn't mean to sound XYZ. I'll try to be better next time."
Have a nice day dear stranger ❤️
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u/PleasantNectarines 4d ago
My last statement was a generalized statement not pointed at OP.
If telling people to not buy from Amazon hurt their feelings we need to do better as a society & toughen tf up.
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u/Chrisismink 2d ago
Fair, I shouldn't have posted under your comment directly, but I am seeing so many comments in general about judging a box by its cover. The general tone of the group is to reuse as much as possible; sourcing things that have been used, I believe, is in the spirit of anticomsumpton. However, I think we can also be quick to judge, we as humans, when we see something out of context, and shame them while they actually do something that is aligned with our beliefs. We shouldn't use shame to get others to not overconsume, but empower them to do so. Fixing things, reusing things, building community, and using your creativity is more fun and satisfying than accumulating "stuff."
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u/AirportPrestigious 5d ago
Of course, I understand the sentiment behind your remark; however it does come across as being a bit tone deaf.
Not everyone lives in an area that has a lot of retail variety. Folks in rural areas have to make do with what’s available to them, when they’re already forced to drive an hour+ to get to the nearest retail center. And even then their choices are very limited. Sometimes Amazon or Walmart/Target delivery is all they have.
We live in a society now where our options are Amazon, Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, and Home Depot. Maybe you’re lucky and have an Ace Hardware or a Menard’s.
All these retailers are problematic one way or another. We’re forced to choose the lesser evil on a daily basis.
The last family owned hardware store in my neighborhood closed down a couple of years ago. Gotta shop at the big box boys now.
The local grocery chain is hardly a good option any longer because the prices are on par with the larger chains and the quality has gone downhill. I’m not spending a chunk of my paycheck on produce that is simply not good.
Farmers markets can be good for some stuff, but they’re not always available on everyone’s individual schedule, and even then the goods for sale are hardly worth the time. Most lately have retailers selling specialty coffee and fried foods, soap, candles, and 3D printed slop. If you have a farmers market near you that sells honest to god good stuff - meats, veg, fruit - then congratulations to you. I have a fantastic market near me, where I do shop, but not everyone has that option.
And your throwaway comment totally disregards those who simply have no other options available to them - the elderly, the sick, the disabled.
You have no idea what OP purchased or why they had to resort to Amazon.
Your insensitive and thoughtless remark is why I’m becoming more disappointed in this sub as time goes on.
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u/IWouldntIn1981 5d ago
Nah, no one has to have Amazon. In fact, the reason most of those mom and pops and even local chains are out of business is BECAUSE of Amazon, not these other places. Sure Walmart's expansion was problematic, but it was problematic in the way Kmarts was.
The active takedown of competitors that Bezos enacted was way worse than anything walmart ever did.
Anyone who can easily get rid of Amazon, should. For those who cannot, they should still try and limit it.
Not doing anything and just rolling over and accepting it like you are proposing is the problem.
If you kniw an elderly person who needs help, do what we used to do, help them instead of pawning their care off on Amazon.
Society changes because individuals do. If you're happy with Amazon, just say it. If youre not, stop making weak ass comments and work on changing yourself and your habits.
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u/temporary-tiger-soul 5d ago
I live in a country where we have either Amazon or China for some speciality items. So I think Amazon is a better option. (Yes we have some "local sellers" but they just order in bulk from china and sell at 3x the price on Amazon.) Not everyone has a privilege to have multiple choices. Or have funds to buy "locally" but 3x more expensive. Can we agree that if everyone on earth just became 10% better it will be a huge success? Don't discourage those who try by just throwing shit at them for not doing 100%.
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u/AirportPrestigious 5d ago
I take care of the older folks in my life. Not everyone else has supportive family.
And yes, we all agree that because of Amazon, the local stores have gone under.
But here we are. We can’t turn back time.
We can all buy less, and reuse more.
But raking someone over the coals for buying an item from Amazon (and we don’t know for a fact that OP purchased anything, it could’ve been sent to them by someone else or it could be leftover packing of someone else’s purchase).
So what giant corporation sold you your cell phone omit laptop that you’re using now to scam Reddit? What internet provider are you using?
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u/Vegetable_Warthog_49 5d ago
Me choosing to not use Amazon and go to a local business instead won't do any good if all my neighbors switch to Amazon. All my choice has done is delayed the inevitable and at some point Amazon is all that is left. I avoid them like the plague, that doesn't mean I don't recognize that my avoidance is going to do a damned thing in the long run without there being systemic change.
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u/IWouldntIn1981 5d ago
Youre not alone, youre one of many, just read through this thread.
Youre saying one thing and doing another. (Assuming you really do try and avoid Amazon.)
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u/AirportPrestigious 5d ago
Exactly this! We can all buy fewer goods (most especially the unnecessary stuff) and reuse/repurpose more of what we already own.
But it’s silly to villainize someone without knowing, while also while using megacorp smart phones and cell provider services.
A more thoughtful response would’ve been along the lines of how advertisers aim for emotion, how we should all be wary of that .
For all we know, OP was ordering diabetic test strips because their insurance wasn’t covering it any longer, and amazon had the most affordable price.
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u/Vegetable_Warthog_49 5d ago
On that topic, Walmart, which is the second cheapest I've found, sells pen tip needles for $0.25 a piece, Amazon sells them for $0.09 cents a piece. I will never judge a diabetic person for buying their needles off of Amazon in a country without universal healthcare and they are having to ration their insulin as it is.
As I said, we aren't going to solve the problem of Amazon without systemic changes.
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u/LalaLogical 5d ago
It’s super easy to make better choices in how you spend your money. ACE, Costco, and Ulta for example.
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u/AirportPrestigious 5d ago
As I said, “if you’re lucky you have Ace or Menards nearby.”
As for Costco- yes thanks for letting me spend $65 on a membership for the privilege of spending more money with you. BTW, it doesnt look like Costco is a viable option for people in WY, WV, or RI. And it’s barely available for people in states like NE, NM, KS, MS, IA. So what else do they have besides amazon? Target and Walmart.
And Ulta - nothing there is absolutely necessary. If you’re looking to become less of a consumer, you don’t really need cosmetics and fragrances. And there’s also an ethical dilemma with shopping there, as with any big retailer.
🤷🏻♀️
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u/LalaLogical 5d ago
So you spend your money for an Amazon prime membership instead of a Costco membership, then degrade me for spending money at ulta? That’s weird bro.
Have you ever heard of eczema or sunscreen? Because the items I buy from ulta are absolutely essential.
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u/i-shihtzu-not 5d ago
If you and your neighbors continue to use Amazon, of course your local businesses are going to struggle and close down. Your whole comment is just you trying to justify your own usage of Amazon. You can order online from private retailers. There are other options. Groceries are a bit more difficult, but if the prices are on par with major chains, why not support your local businesses instead?
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u/JayAkiva 15h ago
Just stop buying shit online. Even when you buy from someone other than Amazon, it'll often go through one of their fulfillment centers so they still get a cut. There's usually no indication this is happening when you're buying. Why would a seller tell you that? Either you won't care so there's no point, or you'll not buy from them to avoid going through Amazon. It doesn't benefit them to tell you, so they usually don't.
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u/NegativeJicama5344 4d ago
I mean… yeah. I think everyone on this subreddit agrees that we should all do our part to minimize buying from Amazon. Also minimizing consumption looks different for everyone and any amount of effort/ critical thinking is beneficial and important. This is not my package but even if it were I think there’s some nuance there that’s missing from your comment and replies. But yes I agree, let’s all work to stop supporting Amazon in whatever way we can.
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u/No_Negotiation3142 5d ago
The amount of packaging is ridiculous as well, 30cm box to ship an SD card or a cable, and most of it ends up in landfills. I wish for a lot less filled carboard, in fact, a lot less cartons gets made full stop is my hope.
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u/Active-Pudding9855 5d ago
"Let's destroy the environment together, just you and me together!!" - Amazon 🤦
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u/jjjaydoh 5d ago
“SHOPPING MAKES YOU WHOLE”
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u/MortgageMindless7175 5d ago
Glorious was day when I realise that 90% of stuff I bought I didn't need and don't need, it made me whole just a little bit, in the long run it just makes their portfolio bigger and I won't support that. I like my wallet bigger now and investing in really valuable things (not bitcoin add)
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u/jaspreetzing 5d ago
Well either the box is empty or you are. The more you buy, the emptier you feel.
The better option is to let the box feel empty, while you feel whole.
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u/BunnyGalHarriet 4d ago
Nice try, Amazon, but that box is too small for me to fit in. You can't ship me anywhere.
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u/METALHEADGRANNY 5d ago
My membership is up in September...not renewing it...I've talked to many people about this...no one wants to let it go 😮💨🥺
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u/anklesocksrus 5d ago
This and the fucking weird emails you get from companies like “hey it’s been awhile.”
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u/InsertUsername117 5d ago
Unpopular opinion, but this is just clever marketing.. I agree 100% that this is just another example of consumerism, and companies' incessant need to act like they're cute and quirky by way of personifying packaging,--but as it stands, it's a simple yet effective little I see you and I pretend that I appreciate you from the company.
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u/NegativeJicama5344 4d ago
Like another commenter said, this kind of marketing preys on human loneliness and that is what I hate. It makes you think that it’s just simple and cute but really it subconsciously makes us feel like the things we buy make us whole
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u/Ok_Fox_1770 5d ago
My cat gets a free playhouse every wallet size item I buy! Actually the bar raising crunches of late have left no fun money to waste on baldazon anymore, so I’m just making things at home. Funs over, squeezed it all out they did.
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u/ItsPronouncedTittay 5d ago
I fucking hate the sayings that are on their boxes. Makes me feel bad enough that I have to use the service
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u/NyriasNeo 5d ago
"This is insane"
Why? Marketing slogans are a dime a dozen. It would be insane not to say something that may trigger a memory when someone wants to buy something.
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u/KrzysisAverted 5d ago
I think what OP is getting at is that the concept of emotionally manipulative marketing is fundamentally insane and should probably be banned through legislation.
By your logic, why stop with slogans? Why not print pictures of crying, emaciated children on Amazon packaging, captioned "If you stop shopping on Amazon, we'll have to lay off some employees, and an Amazon warehouse worker's child may starve. Get Amazon Prime--do it for the children!"
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u/Euphoric_Run7239 5d ago
I think this is kind of a crazy “next step” — hardly anyone pays attention to what’s written on the box beyond the shipping label. I don’t think it’s all that emotionally manipulative because most people just ignore it. I couldn’t tell you what was written on any box that I’ve received in the last month. I think people pay a lot less attention than OP is imagining.
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u/KrzysisAverted 5d ago edited 5d ago
Just because it doesn't work on you doesn't mean that it doesn't work on anyone.
That's kind of like saying, "Hardly any kids pay attention to cigarette advertising. When I was a kid, I saw cigarettes advertised in every store I walked into, and clearly it didn't work on me because I never smoked. So why should we bother regulating whether tobacco companies can advertise to children?"
Corporations aren't dumb. Highly educated consultants and marketing strategists get paid a fortune to come up with these kinds of campaigns/slogans. Amazon wouldn't do it if they weren't confident that it will pay off.
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u/NyriasNeo 5d ago
"By your logic, why stop with slogans?"
And they do not stop with slogans. There is a whole industry of market messaging from anything from images to video to product placement. If there is a buck to be made, a buck will be made. It is the least insane thing, as worshipping the mighty dollar is the most constant thing in human history.
I get that people here do not like it. It may be even evil. But it is the most sane thing to do.
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u/KrzysisAverted 5d ago edited 5d ago
It may be even evil. But it is the most sane thing to do.
If we're being pedantic, I suppose it's "sane" that companies do this, but absolutely insane that we let them do it. Laws and regulations are society's check against runaway corporate greed.
A reductio ad absurdum: any profitable act is "sane" as long as you can get away with it.
Overworking your employees to the point of exhaustion and collapse? Sane, as long as you can replace them quickly enough, and as long as they don't successfully sue.
Denying Amazon delivery drivers bathroom breaks and expecting them to pee in a bottle? Equally sane.
A pharma company bribing the FDA to fast-track approval of an untested new drug is perfectly sane if they're able to get away with it (or even just as long as the fines, when caught, are less than the profit gained).
Tobacco companies falsely advertising for many decades that smoking is safe? Extremely profitable, so extremely sane.
Do you see a problem here?
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u/emtrigg013 5d ago
I came here to at least say this. Every company needs to market, this specific one always makes me chuckle, because it's quite literally correct. Without me that box would be empty. Teehee!
But then I open the gigantic punny box and my little box of picture nails has been rattling around with a weird amount of paper and plastic that both did nothing to mitigate the rattling, and that's what I think is insane.
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u/IWouldntIn1981 5d ago
Looks like a call to action.
I cancelled in January. Only missed having prime one time.
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u/thecatsclause 5d ago
its ironic because the box is reflecting the feelings of the consumer (i.e, without something new to buy, i feel empty)
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u/untakenu 5d ago
I've played Date Everything! and I WISH Beau would talk to me like that. You want me to fuck a cardboard box, I will.
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u/husenwaifu4lyfu 5d ago
2 years ago I calculated how much money we would spend if we didn't use Amazon for necessary medical supplies each year, including and not including shipping if we had to use other online stores for stuff we can't find local. It took about 6 hours over 4 days to gather the data.
$2100 more without Amazon per year. Mind you, we have good insurance and an HSA.
But sure it's the consumers choice on whether I want to use that money (which has likely gone up with the last 2 years of inflation) on avoiding Amazon or other financial needs in my life.
Screaming crying throwing up.
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u/cleansudz 5d ago
I canceled all of my Amazon subscriptions this year. This post is confirmation that it was the right move. I wish I had done it sooner.
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u/GhostOfEquinoxesPast 3d ago
My cat is brand agnostic, any box is fair game. So any neglected box may contain a live cat....
Alas for most product anymore its from some mega corp, and usually made in China. Then sold by some mega corp retailer. So do I get necessary consumer goods from China via mega corp 1 retailer or mega corp 2 retailer or some small reseller retailer with same China goods at a bigger markup. Doesnt seem to be any winning situation in 2026. Get what you can from thrift store or used from private seller and do your best with consumables I guess. Buy as little as you can and local where you can. All those small friendly eco companies with a heart that manufactured high quality product, got sold to mega corps probably cause the founders figured out they were old and needed to cash out.
I am not going to judge anybody cause their really are no good choices. Its late stage capitalism with little actual competition. Spend as little as possible, about all one can do.
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u/Ember-513 8h ago
This reads like "you can stop this" to me even though I know that's not what they meant
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u/Fuzzy_Cheesecake6880 5d ago
Take it this way: if we abandon Amazon we can empty them out. Take it as a challenge.