20 Things South Dakotans Should Never buy on Amazon

South Dakotans love convenience, and Amazon delivers it in spades. But convenience doesn’t always equal value.

Too often, shoppers end up paying more for items that could’ve been cheaper (or better) somewhere else.

And sometimes, you’re not even getting what you paid for.

Think of this article as your wallet’s guide to dodging Amazon fails.

Prescription Glasses

Amazon has great deals on sunglasses, but prescription glasses are a hard pass. Frames may look cute online, but they rarely fit right without an in-person fitting.

Worse, many cheap glasses sellers cut corners on lenses.

You don’t want to mess with blurry vision just to save twenty bucks.

Optometrists also warn that incorrect prescriptions online are more common than you think. Your eyes deserve better.

Stick to Costco Optical, Warby Parker, or your local eye doctor. At least they’ll make sure your lenses aren’t secretly giving you vertigo.

Big Brand Cosmetics

If you’ve ever found a “too good to be true” price on Estée Lauder or MAC lipstick, there’s a reason. Fake beauty products flood Amazon.

Counterfeit makeup isn’t just disappointing; it can be dangerous.

Think expired mascara, shady ingredients, or a foundation that smells like nail polish remover.

Even Amazon itself has admitted to struggles with knockoff sellers in the beauty space.

Sephora, Ulta, or even Target’s cosmetic aisle are safer bets. At least you know the blush you’re buying isn’t chalk dust in fancy packaging.

High-End Electronics

Sure, Amazon is fine for phone chargers. But when it comes to expensive items like iPhones, PlayStations, or MacBooks, tread carefully.

Third-party sellers can sneak in refurbished or counterfeit products labeled as “new.” Some even arrive missing critical pieces, like the power cord.

Big-ticket gadgets are best bought directly from Apple, Best Buy, or another authorized retailer.

Amazon’s return policy won’t save you if your “brand-new” PS5 turns out to be an empty box with a brick inside.

Mattresses

Buying a mattress on Amazon sounds convenient… until you realize you’re stuck with a rock-hard foam slab that feels like sleeping on plywood.

Mattress-in-a-box companies advertise comfort, but testing one out in real life is crucial.

Everyone’s back is different, and shipping a giant foam cube back to Amazon is a nightmare.

Warehouse clubs like Costco or mattress stores often have generous trial periods. And you can actually lie down before handing over your credit card.

Grocery Staples

Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods delivery work in a pinch. But for everyday groceries, the prices are often way higher than your local Aldi, Kroger, or Walmart.

A simple can of Campbell’s soup can cost double online once you factor in shipping and packaging.

Don’t even get us started with perishables, milk, and lettuce, which were never meant to be Prime-shipped.

Stick to your neighborhood store.

Or if you’re into bulk, Sam’s Club and Costco will almost always beat Amazon prices.

Cleaning Supplies

It’s tempting to toss Clorox wipes or Windex into your Amazon cart, but the markup is often ridiculous.

A pack of Lysol spray that costs $5 at Target can jump to $8 online. And you risk it arriving dented or leaking.

Stores like Dollar Tree or Walmart will often give you better bang for your buck when it comes to everyday cleaning supplies.

Save Amazon for the random vacuum filter you can’t find anywhere else.

Furniture

Yes, Amazon sells couches, dining tables, and entire bedroom sets. But unless you enjoy playing furniture roulette, skip it.

Colors often don’t match the pictures, particle board pieces arrive chipped, and you’ll be left with a confusing instruction manual that looks like it was drawn by a toddler.

IKEA may test your patience, but at least you know the quality before you buy. Plus, their meatballs are a reward in themselves.

Furniture is one of those things you need to see, touch, and sometimes sit on before committing.

Jewelry

Cheap costume jewelry? Fine. An “authentic” diamond engagement ring on Amazon for $499?

Please don’t.

Amazon’s jewelry section is notorious for misrepresenting materials. That “14K gold” necklace may turn your neck green in a week.

When it comes to sentimental or high-value purchases, stick to jewelers like Zales, Kay, or even Costco’s jewelry counter.

Your partner deserves better than a ring that might secretly be brass with a fancy shine.

Pet Medications

We love our pets, so you need to know that buying their flea treatments or heartworm meds on Amazon can be risky.

Many vets warn that counterfeit or expired meds slip through third-party sellers.

Even if they’re legit, storage conditions during shipping matter. Heat-sensitive products may be ruined by the time they reach your door.

Buy meds from your vet or Chewy, which has strict vet prescription checks. Fido’s health isn’t worth a sketchy Amazon bargain.

Supplements

That $10 bottle of “miracle” turmeric? Yeah, you might just be swallowing rice powder.

The supplement market on Amazon is full of under-regulated brands. Some even contain hidden fillers or incorrect dosages.

Trusted brands like NOW Foods, Nature Made, or Kirkland Signature are fine, just buy them from Costco, CVS, or Walgreens instead.

Your health isn’t something to gamble on with a suspiciously cheap supplement label.

Baby Formula

This one’s an absolute no. Parents sometimes find “deals” on Enfamil or Similac, but counterfeit formula is a documented problem on Amazon.

Formula can be tampered with, expired, or stored in poor conditions.

Babies need safe nutrition, not something that may have been sitting in a warehouse for two years.

Always stick to verified retailers like Walgreens, Target, or directly from the manufacturer.

Don’t let an attractive Amazon listing feed your child.

Perishable Snacks

Ordering Doritos or Oreos online sounds convenient until you realize you just paid $7 for a bag you could have snagged at 7-Eleven for $5.

Even worse, sometimes snacks arrive stale or crushed to crumbs.

For everyday munchies, stick to your corner store, Costco, or Target runs.

Save Amazon food orders for weird international candies you can’t find anywhere else.

Kitchen Appliances

Amazon has endless listings for “must-have” blenders and air fryers with brand names you’ve never heard of.

Many of these are cheap knockoffs that break after three uses, or worse, start smoking while plugged in.

Reliable brands like Ninja, KitchenAid, or Cuisinart are worth the extra cost at Kohl’s, Target, or Walmart.

Nobody wants to gamble with a bargain toaster that could double as a fire hazard.

Shoes

Buying sneakers or heels on Amazon often ends in disappointment.

Sizing varies wildly, returns can be a headache, and counterfeits are rampant, especially with Nike, Adidas, and designer brands.

Try before you buy. DSW, Zappos, or even Target will always be safer bets for footwear.

Unless you’re into rolling the dice on whether those “Air Jordans” are really just “Air Gordans,” skip it.

Tools

Tools are another category flooded with cheap knockoffs.

That “DeWalt” drill? It could be a flimsy imitation with half the power.

Even if it’s real, returns for defective tools are trickier than walking into Home Depot and swapping them.

Stick to Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, or Harbor Freight for reliable gear. Your DIY project deserves better than a drill that dies after two screws.

Batteries

Amazon’s own AmazonBasics batteries are fine enough. But off-brand batteries from third-party sellers are a gamble.

Some don’t last nearly as long as promised. Others leak acid and destroy your electronics.

Costco, Sam’s Club, and even CVS often have better deals on bulk name-brand batteries like Energizer or Duracell.

Why risk ruining your TV remote just to save two bucks?

Luggage

That suitcase on Amazon might look sleek, but don’t be fooled. Zippers often break after one trip, wheels jam, and handles snap.

Considering how much abuse luggage goes through at airports, quality matters.

Brands like Samsonite, Away, or Travelpro bought directly from the source are far more reliable.

There’s nothing worse than your suitcase exploding open on the baggage carousel while strangers watch your underwear parade by.

Seasonal Décor

Yes, Amazon has a ton of Halloween inflatables and Christmas lights.

But the prices? They’re sometimes higher than places like HomeGoods or Walmart for a poorer quality item.

Half the fun of seasonal décor shopping is wandering aisles and discovering the perfect oversized skeleton.

Amazon décor often looks cheap in person, too. Stick to brick-and-mortar stores for festive finds.

Exercise Equipment

That compact treadmill or $50 set of dumbbells might seem like a steal until shipping costs and assembly nightmares kick in.

Many reviewers complain about flimsy equipment, missing parts, or items breaking after a few workouts.

Fitness stores or secondhand options like Facebook Marketplace are safer bets.

At least you can test the gear before hauling it home.

Perfume and Cologne

Amazon has tons of perfume listings, but knockoffs are everywhere. That “Chanel No. 5” might smell more like “Generic Linen Spray No. 5.”

Fragrance is also sensitive to heat and light, which can ruin its scent during shipping.

Buy your scents at Macy’s, Sephora, or directly from the brand.