OTTO, an alternative to Amazon in Germany works very well
I made my first order on otto.de a few days ago. I even installed their app, as I had Amazon app before, so it is easy to see my orders and invoices. It worked excelent, I found what I needed. What I was pleasantly surprised with, was that I did not need to enter a payment card. I just made my order, things came in 2 batches, different days, and I have about a month to pay them.
When I went to pay them, you have the option to pay each one, or all of them at once. I chose all, I’ve got a QR code, scanned it with my bank app and made the transfer. Painless and not using anything US made. Well, the phone I am on and the iPad…but you know what I mean, no VISA/Mastercard, etc.
And from what I heard, they have stricter rules of who can be a merchant on their website, compared to Amazon.
The comeback of Otto, catalogue giant of the eighties and nineties, now the challenger to Amazon. Full circle ;)
Yeah, I used to love to browse their giant paper catalogue…
We had the same thing in the UK with Argos and the giant book of dreams...
They've managed to remain a pretty good Amazon alternative for random gubbins and game stuff, and they now operate out of some larger supermarkets so you can pick stuff up while you're doing your groceries.
Thank you for your post
I sometimes buy there but until they improve their logistics it’s not really a valid competitor. Prices are always little higher than on Amazon (I can live with that) but real issue is that even with Otto Up there’s just few items with one day delivery. And this really sucks.
One day delivery availability is not an issue for me actually. I used that option on Amazon prime a few times and they never fulfilled their promise. So, I better plan with time, or go to the shops for last minute gifts or whatever I need so urgently. But everyone needs are different. I am glad I have an option for specific things that I cannot just find in small shops in Germany.
For me it’s sometimes important but when it’s not i always check Otto for other reasons. They have nicer UI, i like paying later by bank and I hope they treat their personal better.
Yes, I also hope they treat their people better than amazon…
They could use something like OTTO Prime; I ordered a bike helmet for some 70,-€ a few days ago and paid 6,-€ on top for national shipping. But apart from that, it was a very pleasant experience.
I think they have something similar, but only for products directly from OTTO, not from other sellers there: https://www.otto.de/shoppages/up
Thx, I didn't know that.
I am moving to Portugal later this year, do they ship within Europe or just in Germany?
AT, NL, UK, JP
I think only in Germany, at least for now. Maybe they change their mind with the current Amazon boycotts.
They only ship to Germany though so not really an alternative
Unless you live in Germany :)
I use kaufland.de recently which is also a good alternative in Germany 😊
Yes, I used it also and it works just fine and one can find a lot of things there.
Do they have something like Prime where you pay a flat fee per month/year and then shipping is free?
Not the same, but similar: OTTO UP
10€ per year for free shipping sounds great actually, but I guess it depends on what percentage of stuff is shipped by OTTO and how much from market place people that are not included. Will definitely check it out, thanks!
Going to see if they ship to us now
works very well indeed