amazon prime using USPS more lately?

[MoulinBlu]

99% of my prime orders (average 1-2 per week for the past 6 years) have arrived UPS 2-day. But for the past three weeks, every BD or similarly small item I've ordered or preordered has shipped via USPS. Most have taken 4 days to arrive as well. Though that's because they took longer than usual just to process the order for some reason; and the preorders promoting release day delivery, shipped the previous Friday rather than Monday, the day before release. At least that's when I got the shipping notice.

I'm concerned all the "free" movie and book rentals that have been tacked onto the membership are beginning to take their toll on the shipping service, which is the only thing I care about.

I don't have anything against the USPS, aside from their tracking not being updated very well. But our mailbox, despite being the largest size we could find, still won't hold many packages and the driver won't get out of his car due to our dogs. In fact he only pulls in the driveway long enough to blow the horn once and immediately back out. Even when we're home and see him come in we still can't catch him sometimes. He'll then leave a note in our box, which is a quarte-mile from the house, stating he made an attempt. But unless we drive to the post office to pick it up ourselves (1 hour round trip), it'll be two days before they'll make another delivery attempt.

So, I'm wondering if others are getting more USPS prime deliveries as well, or if it might just be an unfortunate fluke.

[jpb07]

This has been new for us over the past month. Actually it's even worse because they use a cutrate method, Fedex Smartpost. Although FEDEX gets it to the Post Office in one day, they refuse to deliver it until the second day. With UPS Ground we'd get our packages in 1 day.

[Clark Kent]

Amazon is always looking to cut costs and have experimented with other shipping options besides UPS for several years.

[MoulinBlu]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

Amazon is always looking to cut costs and have experimented with other shipping options besides UPS for several years.

Maybe for non-prime members using free 25.00 minimum order shipping, but I haven't seen that to be the case with prime until recently. I think I've had USPS deliver 3 packages since 2006 from amazon, and each of those was understandable as they shipped over a weekend or holiday that the USPS worked on Saturdays and UPS didn't. Atypically, I haven't ordered much since starting this thread to figure out if it's indeed a change in our area or just a fluke that we've had a string of packages over the course of about three weeks that all came USPS and took longer than usual to ship.

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by MoulinBlu

Maybe for non-prime members using free 25.00 minimum order shipping, but I haven't seen that to be the case with prime until recently. I think I've had USPS deliver 3 packages since 2006 from amazon, and each of those was understandable as they shipped over a weekend or holiday that the USPS worked on Saturdays and UPS didn't. Atypically, I haven't ordered much since starting this thread to figure out if it's indeed a change in our area or just a fluke that we've had a string of packages over the course of about three weeks that all came USPS and took longer than usual to ship.

It depends on what product category one orders in using Prime. My experience is that certain types like vitamins get sent USPS, even with Prime. If you only order media items, then yes USPS is rarely used.

[MoulinBlu]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

It depends on what product category one orders in using Prime. My experience is that certain types like vitamins get sent USPS, even with Prime. If you only order media items, then yes USPS is rarely used.

It's media items (BDs) that I was referring to, as that's 80% of what I order from them and what I've recently seen them switch to USPS for.

[DetroitSportsFan]

I don't mind them shipping USPS. What I do mind is them not shipping 2-day when that's what customers bought Prime for.

[madlost1]

I've ben getting pretty much all of my pre orders shipped via usps and they all arrive on release day.they still use ups for 2 day shipping when ordered during the week.

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[Snowmaker]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

I don't mind them shipping USPS. What I do mind is them not shipping 2-day when that's what customers bought Prime for.

I also seem to be getting a lot more bubble envelopes instead of cardboard shippers lately, especially when its USPS shipped.

[madlost1]

Originally Posted by Snowmaker

I also seem to be getting a lot more bubble envelopes instead of cardboard shippers lately, especially when its USPS shipped.

I also noticed this quite a bit but I always attribute it to what warehouse they were shipped from since I've also been getting them through ups.

[Sons Of Sparda]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

It depends on what product category one orders in using Prime. My experience is that certain types like vitamins get sent USPS, even with Prime. If you only order media items, then yes USPS is rarely used.

Not completely true being all I order from amazon is blu rays.Most of my items are shipped usps.Some are shipped ups and lasership.I would say 60% of mine are shipped usps.I usually receive them the very next day anyway.Most likely based on how close you are to the warehouse it is being shipped out from.

[Sons Of Sparda]

Originally Posted by Snowmaker

I also seem to be getting a lot more bubble envelopes instead of cardboard shippers lately, especially when its USPS shipped.

I too have been receiving alot more bubble envelopes as well.I have gotten many items damaged because of this.I no longer order one item at a time because it is guaranteed that they will send it in a bubble envelope.Now I have to order 3 items at the same time together to get it shipped in a box the proper way.

[MoulinBlu]

The other downside to them using USPS more is that you have to cancel preorders much sooner. Since they've become a more complacent price follower, their competitiveness has become highly questionable: Rarely do they offer the lowest price on preorders of their own volition and frequently they fail to even match the lowest price of their top competitors. I find myself preordering when a movie hits my goldbox, but then cancelling because even with the goldbox discount and no taxes here, they've still got a higher price. In the past, when shipping UPS, I've been able to wait 'til Sunday for them to adjust their prices. With USPS, if I'm going to cancel, I've got to do it by the previous Friday at the latest, Thursday to play it safe.

A few years ago, I didn't even have to shop around. I could buy anything on amazon and know I was getting the best deal. It's very disappointing, not being able to trust their pricing like I used to. I think they've become the new wal-mart: convince everybody they've got the best prices on the basis that they can get stuff cheaper due to order volume, and hope people won't notice when they no longer do. It's funny how the media (online media that is) talks about people going to stores to windowshop but spending their money on amazon. I was the same way a few years ago, I guess, though I really didn't even window shop that much I sought out reviews online. Now, I find myself going to amazon to read customer reviews and giving more of my money to other stores.

[kryptonite1970]

I have Prime and I've noticed them using USPS on 2 day shipping and I've complained twice already for items being delivered late. Quite disappointing indeed!!!