Privacy when shopping online

Privacy Questions
1

I use technology in a relatively private manor, and on top of that, I use mostly open source software (I know this isn’t directly beneficial to privacy, but I like the freedom. I use only proprietary banking apps I need for a secure experience, and ofc the websites of banking services, carrier services, government services - the stuff you need to use).

But, what about shopping online? We don’t exactly have an alternative to something like Amazon? And it’s not like other e-commerce sites will respect your privacy to much higher degree?

So, what is the best solution to this? As far as I understand, the only truly private way of using a site like Amazon, would be to use a VPN or Tor, a private payment service, AND, crucially, a PO box?

This is obviously not a very convenient or accessible solution. Are there any other options, or recommendations, that would improve privacy when shopping online?

Thanks

2

Well, there’s no getting around the fact that you have to physically receive your delivery right? I’m assuming the most inconvenient aspect for you is getting a PO box, because a VPN and private payment service aren’t too challenging to use.

Ironically the most accessible private option—at least in the US and a couple other countries—is probably Amazon Lockers. There are other parcel locker solutions from other companies, and of course regular PO boxes are available virtually everywhere.

To be honest, using a PO box or (probably even better) a private/virtual mailbox consistently is probably one of the most beneficial things you can do to protect your physical privacy from people online. It’s worth the inconvenience.