Amazon vs. Ebay

Posted by: @daveb722

So now that I have been permanent for a while here, I'm finding that having prime is useless except for music and streaming shows.  I've been having better luck finding items on ebay at or below amazon pricing and free shipping as of late.  So if you haven't tried ebay give it a shot.  The only difference may be the ease of returns but it makes you wonder how ebay sellers can do it, but Amazon cannot set us up for Free shipping.

I believe, and could be wrong, that Amazon has their own shipping company now. You see the Amazon vehicles driving all around our city. They also have their own feet of planes. The sellers on eBay use USPS, which consider the VI domestic. FedEx and UPS consider the VI international and so charge accordingly. 

Posted by: @daveb722

I'm finding that having prime is useless except for music and streaming shows.

That's pretty true. I do watch stuff on Prime frequently and my kids in Canada and Australia use my account too so we get value out of it. Some claim to have luck calling Amazon and getting them to refund the shipping. But, I've never had the time to worry about it. I'm a business owner so shipping costs for my personal stuff is just another line on the P&L and I really don't pay much attention to it. When I want what I want, I just order it.

I find Amazon uses a combination of their own shipping/logistics and common carriers, both in the states and to USVI.  In the states Amazon will deliver some orders to the delivery address with their own trucks, other orders to that same address using common carriers.  I'm not aware Amazon has any of their own logistics in the VI yet.  I received a couple of Amazon orders on STX today delivered by USPS.  One was delivered by Amazon to USPS in Jacksonville FL, the other by Amazon to USPS in PR. 

The Amazon charge for shipping to VI seems to be only a small surcharge as opposed to full USPS rates.  More of an issue is that not all items on Amazon will even ship to VI.  Seems items sold by Amazon will ship but those sold by others and shipped by Amazon or the seller may not ship to VI. 

@daveb722

I've had OK (but not great) luck using the 'Ask a question' button in the seller's profile for items on Amazon not sold by Amazon. It seems like Amazon doesn't include the VI zip codes for sellers by default. About 50-60% have been willing to ship to STX when they find out the USPS shipping cost is the same.

I've also had good luck with eBay - especially for items like stainless steel hardware and yard chemicals (seedranch.com), finding delivered prices much lower than the prices on the island.

I also travel back and forth to the mainland a couple times a year - the home depot heavy duty large size box works as a checked bag of you keep it under 50 lbs - my wife and I are bringing about 190 lbs of household items and supplies down next week.

We've found life on the island to be like a long term scavenger hunt - not always fun, but always an adventure!

I too use eBay very frequently.  I do the sourcing and logistics for our company so I do a lot of shopping.  I’ve found that Amazon business be personal accounts have an impact on what ships. And it usually is the business account with more restrictions.  EBay is my go to when I want something fast.  The sellers are more competitive and fast shipping is one of their best go tos for higher ratings.  You have to do a little more work when buying on eBay, but as long as you check out the sellers before you buy it’s usually a good way to go.