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Blind and Visually Impaired Community

r/blind

Full History - 2018 - 11 - 14 - ID#9x30yj

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Online shopping (self.Blind)

submitted by chere_

Hi!

On a marketing point of view, does anyone that is visually impaired prefer to shop online than on site? What is easier? What kind of merchandise do you normally buy online? Which eCommerce sites are nice to shop/visit? Do you have any bad examples of web accessibility?

I'm not visually impaired and I really prefer to buy online. I mostly browse, and sometimes buy. It's more of an entertainement, while I'm riding the bus, etc. But I do hate crowded shops, or when I went to the store and they don't have my size, or walking for too long. So I think that I would still prefer to shop online if something happens and I become blind/disabled...

What is your experience? Also, have you ever filled a lawsuit against an online shop?

fastfinge 2 points 4y ago

If it isn't available via amazon, I don't buy it.

OK, that might be a small overstatement. But...only a small one. I have prime, so free next day shipping on most things. And Amazon is mostly accessible and easy to use. And the reviews are generally pretty OK. Unfortunately, Amazon treats its employees like garbage. I'd be happy to pay more for prime if they'd just treat the warehouse guys better. It's worth it for the use I get out of it. But not buying from Amazon at all is not a realistic option for me.

possiblenecessary7 2 points 4y ago

I briefly worked at an Amazon warehouse. If you meet the standards to work there (lift weights easily) then it's actually a good job, for what you're asked to do. You're given breaks, safety training (which is repeated ad nauseum), health insurance, and a liveable wage. I was absolutely horrified before starting the job (based on reviews), but it really wasn't that bad! I quit because I had too much body pain, but I'm a 120-pound female and I didn't meet the weight lifting requirement to begin with.

fastfinge 1 points 4y ago

Thanks, that makes me feel at least a little better about how much I depend on Amazon for daily life.

chere_ [OP] 1 points 4y ago

Yeah, I'm super active on Amazon too. I do not by clothing on the site though... The women sizing chart is a lie haha. What about clothing? Toiletterie? furniture? Food?

fastfinge 1 points 4y ago

I find that the sizes for men's clothing (shirts and pants at least) are pretty accurate. I wind up getting most of my clothes via Amazon. Same for most non perishable food items. I don't have Amazon Fresh here yet, so still have to go to the grocery store for fresh food. As for toiletries, most of that stuff is available via Amazon Subscribe and Save. So not only do I no longer have to go to the store for it, I don't even have to remember to order it when I'm running low. It just shows up monthly. You're right about furniture though. I usually need to go to a store to try it out (in the case of chairs/sofas/etc) or get a good experience of what it's like, because I can't see the pictures and the descriptions never give me quite enough information.

chere_ [OP] 1 points 4y ago

Ok! Quick question: do you normally pre-shop? Like, go on a furniture store, check the mesurements, so that you don't go to the store and don't find anything? haha I hate it when it happens. I do use wish lists a lot.

fastfinge 1 points 4y ago

I try. What I usually do is research items as much as I can online, and make up a list of things I want to look at, and check stock levels at local stores when I can. Then when I have a friend/family member who can spend some time shopping with me, I know exactly where we're going and what I'm interested in. I hate wasting other people's time browsing.

RosyShine 2 points 4y ago

i only buy things online now. mostly through amazon, or some clothes companies like old navy. I just prefer to get the details of what i'm buying on my own rather than relying on someone else to tell me what i'm asking for. The only really bad accessability thing i can think of is wish.

chere_ [OP] 1 points 4y ago

Do you even buy grocery on Amazon? Or furniture? I mostly stick with Amazon for electronics or books.

RosyShine 1 points 4y ago

I've used it for furniture, yes, and for groceries, prime pantry for what i can get through there.

chere_ [OP] 1 points 4y ago

Thanks for sharing your insights with me!

PolariChat 1 points 4y ago

I'm in Scotland I do nearly all my shopping n Amazon. Groceries I buy online I buy from an online store. Anything extra I go to my local supermarket that is fairly small and all the workers know me.

chere_ [OP] 1 points 4y ago

I'm from Canada and the clerk at my local corner store waved at me on my way to work and it truly made my morning, so I get your point!

What about big purchases like a mattress or a sofa? Or a big appliances?

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