Amazon.com just rolled out this new deal - for $79/year, you get free 2 day shipping on all items, and overnight is $3.99. Check it out: Amazon Prime
I just looked up all our Amazon purchases for last year, and between Mr. Athena and I, we ordered from Amazon 18 times. I’m sure we paid more than $79 for shipping on those items, and that’s not even 2 day service. We’ll be signing up, I’m pretty sure.
Our situation, though, isn’t everyone’s. We order a lot through Amazon because we don’t have a large bookstore within a hundred miles. As much as I like supporting small local bookstores, sometimes I don’t have a choice. Plus, I really like the convenience that Amazon offers. They send books, right to your house! What more could I ask?!?
I love Amazon, but the single biggest reason I shop there is the free shipping. I’ve bought so many kitchen appliances, electronics and other heavy items (e.g. cookware, including a good 50 lbs of cast iron) that I often joke that between the free shipping and my diligent use of their special sales and codes they have probably lost hundreds of dollars from my purchases. In the past few years, I’ve made dozens of Amazon orders, and paid exactly $0 in shipping. (I’ve made 2 (maybe 3) book order from their affiliates, who don’t have free shipping, but the total S/H has been under $10 in the last 5 years)
I guess I’m not in that much of a rush. I always have enough items pending on my wish list to bring the total up to the $25 required for free shipping (or the $100-125 for their $25 off sales) Quite often, I browse Amazon, file my results, and then keep an eye open for a better deal elsewhere until I’m ready to put together an order.
There isn’t a good book store within 50 miles of here. All my books come from amazon but I still won’t be signing up for prime. I have never paid for shipping in the years I have been shopping there. As Bosda said combine or just put books in your wish list until you have enough to qualify for free shipping.
I’m simply not patient enough for free shipping, and at times, I need the books faster than that. I’ve done the free shipping thing, and more often than not I end up pissed off that I chose it. I’ve waited 2+ weeks for books on the free shipping plan.
In all honesty, there’s been times where the free shipping was fast as well. But the uncertainty of it makes me most often just decide to pay extra for the faster option. Besides, $80/year for 2 day shipping of anything is one of those little luxuries that I am more than happy to pay for.
I’m thinking I will. I order a lot from Amazon, although lately I’ve been going to Borders instead. Going to Borders saves me a lot, since I can preview the book before I buy. I haven’t yet decided though.
Firstly, the free shipping is generally fine for me. It usually arrives pretty quickly anyway (i’ve never waited more than a week for a delivery), and when i order from Amazon it’s not usually something i need in a hurry.
Secondly, even if i did want faster shipping, i don’t use Amazon enough to justify the cost. I do most of my internet book shopping at places like Abebooks, Powells, Strand, and Labyrinth.
Nope. I always do free shipping and have never had a problem. In fact, I just placed an order on Thursday night, from a gift certificate for my birthday, and it arrived today (luckily, I’m home sick today, so I got to get it - yay!). I can’t see paying $79 a year when free shipping works out pretty well for me anyway.
Count me in as one of the ‘I get free shipping’ people. I don’t order a lot from Amazon, but when I do, I never need it ‘soon,’ so if it takes a week, I’m oK with that ,cause it saved my five or six bucks.
Nope. I can’t remember the last time I bought something so cheap that it didn’t qualify for free shipping. Also, I’m all of four or five hours’ drive from their mega-gonzo-warehouse and distribution center in Nevada, so free shipping is usually here in two to four days. If I’m really in a panic to get a book, I’ll do the “pick up at Borders” option since there’s a Borders close to both home and office.
And yes, I suspect they’re losing money on me too with the free shipping. Yesterday, I ordered a carpet cleaner from them. Two-day (Wednesday) delivery = $86 but free delivery’s expected to have it to me on Friday.
Nope. I do the free shipping route. If I want it that fast, I’ll go to Barnes & Noble. Of course, being in the boonies makes your priorities different. But I still wouldn’t pay for faster shipping. I can wait.
I’m tempted. It depends on their definition of “other members of your family in the same household.” If they consider the other three unrelated folks in my house “family” then at $20 bucks each the Prime option is a bargain.
It’s especially helpful because I’m a last-minute gift shopper. I end up paying for expedited shipping rather often.
I won’t; I’ve never waiting more than five days for an order from Amazon.com. I just hope Amazon Prime isn’t a precursor to the elimination of the $25 free super saver shipping option. Since that option became available for orders $50 and above, I haven’t paid for shipping at all. It got even better when they dropped it to orders of $25 or above.
Well, my brother and I both have a different mailing address than our mother (I’m not even in the same state), but Amazon let her invite us to share her Prime account. So it seems that their definition is pretty loose.
I wouldn’t have paid for it myself, because I almost always use the Super Saver shipping option, but I couldn’t think of a reason to say “no” to her offer. Moms rock.
When I first saw there announcement of the new Amazon Prime, that was my immediate fear. I guess it’s time to go spend those gift certificates before I have to pay shipping.
If they eliminate free shipping, I’ll join the protest march to Jeff Bezos’ house.
That heavy carpet cleaner I ordered at 6PM on Sunday? Left Fernley at 3:15PM Monday and is on truck for delivery today. So, for me, free shipping is a day faster than “Prime” would have been.
I’ll be *very * unhappy if free shipping goes away.
