I know how you feel, but on the other hand, some retailers do pad their prices quite heavily and Ballard has always had relatively high shipping costs.

Hi fun. Now I feel better. :) Be careful in our fog!

Love-hate is the best way to describe A. So many times what you experienced is true and their returns are so dang easy.

Completely sgree with the love - hate situation. Retailers have to know their products will be googled and image searched for either the same item or lookalikes. If the rug is really identical you are sinply buying the same item at a lower price and saving on shipping and there’s nothing wrong with that. I believe the tops I bought were from the same manufacturer because of the packaging, but it was $40 instead $98.

If the item is a copycat it may be that someone wants the look but cannot or will not pay the price of the original, and unless the design is copyrighted that’s an ethical option. Dupes of designer clothing, pharmaceuticals (dupes on the open market, not FDA sanctioned generics), etc are another kettle of fish entirely IMO.

Please show us a photo of your rug when it arrives, Marti!

I also have that love hate relationship with A. I have bought items at Tjmaxx at half the price that it was selling on A. These items are not clothing items, but table cloths and cloth napkins. Honestly, I do check prices before buying. I just can’t and won’t buy anything full price unless I absolutely need it that day.

I like shopping Ballard Design. They have a nice selection of quality items. I also do a search before I make a purchase. Often an identical item is less expensive elsewhere. I just checked Ballard Designs Clearance and found Sunbrella cushions for $35 ea! That's a deal!

A's goal has been achieved. I don't blame anyone for succumbing to price, convenience or vast choices. Guilty as charged. Even when there is little or no price difference, actually finding the item you want in a brick and mortar can prove challenging and expensive in time and travel. The only way I've found to 'fight back' is a small protest at best; no Prime membership anymore and my purchases have been reduced significantly. Instead of ordering often multiple time/week for an item here and an item there, I spend a bit of time trying to buy local first and if unsuccessful, start a cart. My orders are significantly larger overall but roughly every other month or less.

We live in such a seasonal community with most retailers catering to tourists and second homeowners, it's difficult to find basic things without driving a long way to shop in Hyannis. Health and mobility issues keep me from wandering around stores for much of anything besides groceries. I order a lot from A. But I did cancel my WaPo subscription last November.

There really aren't any local stores here that carry the kind of things I typically buy from Azon. Most everything is more boutique-y rather than practical. If I buy something at a bricks and mortar store it's either Lowes or Target. I don't feel terribly bad buying from Azon instead of those places. I often look for something at Target, they never have it and then I get it online. I sometimes do price comparisons for Azon if the price seems high and will then buy elsewhere. Sometimes I think their prices are higher because they include the "free" shipping.

Your mind and heart are in the right place with trying to avoid A, but sometimes it just doesn't align with the wallet. Don't feel too guilty. Do what you can when you can. The A, big box, and online retail marketplace is too complex to put the burden on us as individuals to try to fix it every time with every purchase.

I do NOT feel guilty at all! if they wanted me to shop at local stores, they would stock the stores. No one carries anything. I have to order basic groceries that everyone carried.

Sometimes the convenience overrides the cringe. I do have my limits with A but sometimes they are the best option.
I recently tried to find a large pretty silk(ish) scarf to wear to a party, I checked a 1/2 dozen local boutique type stores and had no luck.
I found one on A in about five minutes.

If I understand it correctly, some retailers sell through amazon. I just bought my hubby an accessory for his coffee making and, was in a hurry doing 3 things at once, ordered directly from the company's website and didn't notice the very hefty delivery fee. Later was kicking myself, but thought Oh well, I'm supporting this relatively small company. Later, I received an additional duty charge for almost $25. Yikes! Because I wanted to pour salt in my self-inflicted wound, I searched and found this company also sells on Amazon and iirc, there would have been no delivery fee with my prime account. I will not be telling hubby this painful story and will just let him enjoy the gift. In fact, I can't believe I'm even telling you guys.

Daisychain011 your secret is safe with me!

That’s a pretty rug, Marti! And very useful, the size will fit in many rooms and it has enough color to integrate into lots of other color schemes. I would rate your purchase an A+ — no pun intended!

I think it’s pretty too. I appreciate the tip about looking there. I probably need to think about replacing the rug in DH’s man cave and A would be the perfect place to look.

Daisychain, we won’t tell! I can’t tell you how many times I ve kicked myself down that road.

Someone told me recently that Bombas now sells on A! I have not looked and it may be their end of the line stuff, but just so you all know too. I was rather surprised to hear that news. Maybe it will mean I don’t have to put one more pair in my cart just to get free shipping.

I think I mentioned here before that many retailers do have ”stores” on Amazon. If you have Prime, thats free shipping and easy returns.

I understand, if I have to pay shipping it drives me to see if I can find whatever at Amazon with Free Shipping. Most of the time, I check the other way too. Sometimes another site's charge plus shipping are less than Amazon. I will say the larger the item the more I want to make sure I can return easily, Amazon meets that criteria.