Amazon raises free shipping minimum to $35

[quickdraw]

I guess I don't buy enough stuff from Amazon to justify a prime membership, but to each his own. When I do buy from Amazon, it's only out of convenience, because they haven't been pricing leaders like they used to be for some time now. I never really grasped the rational for buying a membership for the privilege of purchasing from a merchant. Costco and Sam's Club have had this model for years, but even with them I've seen diminishing returns over time. I'm thinking of not renewing my Costco membership this year because I don't purchase enough from them to see a substantial savings, plus you usually have to buy large quantities to realize any true discount (at least for food and sundries).

[Servo]

Is it complicated to cancel a Prime trial? Usually the only time I really buy from AMZ is around X-Mas, so maybe I should sign up for the trial (I may even stick around!) but not if cancelling is a hassle.

[JaseT]

Originally Posted by Servo

Is it complicated to cancel a Prime trial? Usually the only time I really buy from AMZ is around X-Mas, so maybe I should sign up for the trial (I may even stick around!) but not if cancelling is a hassle.

Just takes a few clicks.....you just have to remember to do it before the charge date.

[Servo]

Thanks!
Yeah, when I sign up, I just circle the date on my calendar so I don't happen to miss it.

[CReaper210]

Originally Posted by jjdpw50

I don't buy many blus from Amazon anymore. Tax and now this, I never spent enough to justify having Prime. I grabbed a few titles during their Halloween sale but that is it. On BF, I'll favor Best Buy as Amazon matches them anyway.

I'm with you. Guess I'm only gonna shop on Amazon now for the occasional tv/movie collection deal.

[growler]

Hard to believe the "good old days" with Amazon are gone. Free Shipping >$25.00 & 0 tax (in AZ)

I'll be buying much less. No interest in streaming movies or borrowing Kindle books.

I have never paid Shipping on Amazon, patronized them for many years. I always wait till I have >$25.00 in my cart.

Last few years there have been better BD deals from B&M; BBY, Target, Walmart, WB, etc.

For those who say Prime is a good deal, yes, if you normally had paid to stream content or if you had paid shipping on Amazon. But, for those of us who never paid for shipping, it now cost an extra $79 per year. Still, it will probably influence some to buy prime & others to pay shipping & some to buy less often &/or wait till have >$35 of stuff to buy.

[Cahleb]

Originally Posted by Servo

Thanks!
Yeah, when I sign up, I just circle the date on my calendar so I don't happen to miss it.

You can instantly cancel and still keep the trial

[arsenal_fan]

Wow, I just checked my order history on Amazon. The last blu-ray I bought from them was The Godfather Collection in Feb 2012.

[Movie Nut]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

they're adding Vikings now, too.

I'm from Minnesota. Adding the Vikings aint worth a damn this year...if you know what I mean.

[Ashamed Pegasus]

Originally Posted by arsenal_fan

Wow, I just checked my order history on Amazon. The last blu-ray I bought from them was The Godfather Collection in Feb 2012.

Mine was the Muppets Christmas Carol on 10/26/2012. Other than text books and video game hardcover guides I never buy from them anymore.

[skiizim]

Originally Posted by mdm1699

Why don't some of you folks share/split a Prime membership? I do that with a few members here and it is more than worth it. I love Amazon and will forever use them. I absolutely despise going to B&M stores and Amazon is mostly cheaper and more convenient. As for raising the minimum, I usually save items in my cart until they meet the minimum amount. I was already doing this even if the purchase still qualified for Prime. Less pollution from those small dollar delivery attempts.

That's against the TOS unless they are family members, I'm sure it's not tolerated on this site and Amazon will ban you for that.

Originally Posted by wormraper

if Prime goes up I'm out. I'm already considering not renewing since it's becoming less and less worth it with less and less deals on amazon lately so a price hike for prime would put me over the edge

I haven't renewed since Feb of this year, I've been buying less and less and when I do buy something I have several things in my cart in case I need to go over that limit. I haven't missed it and waiting an extra week for items isn't such a big deal.

Originally Posted by HyperRealist

Glad I pay $16 a year for Prime.

If your sharing with a group and Amazon catches on they will ban you and they've done mass banning because of this.

Originally Posted by whiteberry

It's ridiculous but I think most people here stopped buying from Amazon when they stopped having any decent blu-ray deals. These days the only time Amazon has a deal on a blu-ray is when they are price matching a competitor. I honestly can't remember the last time I bought a blu-ray from them.

You pretty much nailed my coffin shut on this one, I got tired of waiting till Saturday/Sunday thinking if Amazon was going to price match other stores. They used to have awesome deals until it became them matching other online stores. It doesn't help since I have to pay tax and I have all the stores I need to go to with in 10 minutes. I understand some people don't have that luxery and PRIME might just be the best investment for them but that's not my case.

[JulieL]

Originally Posted by Race Bannon

Amazon Prime is a great thing for a buyer of blu-rays (and for me, books). The luxury of being able to pre-order without worrying about minimum purchase. The ability to save on all sorts of items. Plus a benefit of some streaming movies and TV. It's a valuable thing if you can convert to a power-user.

I guess it's good if you like paying full price for items that drop fairly quickly.

[Al_The_Strange]

Good thing I signed up for Prime.

Eh, Amazon's had the $25 limit for so long, I always felt that an increase was well overdue. They must lose all kinds of money from free shipping.

[meremortal]

Ouch. And my Prime's about to expire, too. Looks like I only made like 4 purchases the entire year with it. Thankfully I've streamed a decent bit of content from Prime-eligible Amazon Instant Video to somewhat offset the $79.

[Member-260138]

I had Prime at on time. But I found I was spending way too much money. That UPS truck was showing up every other day at my house. My neighbors thought I was running a business. So, I was definitely happy using the $25 minimum after my Prime ran out. But now I'll be buying less because of the increase to $35.

[MikeCL]

I've had prime now for 2 years, it sucks for people without prime.. so far in 4 months I've ordered 56 items from Amazon.

It's worth it but It sucked when prime started going up due to the weight of the item.. nothing like getting a 100+ lb item and only pay $3.99 for shipping.

[TheWalkingDead]

Originally Posted by Servo

Is it complicated to cancel a Prime trial? Usually the only time I really buy from AMZ is around X-Mas, so maybe I should sign up for the trial (I may even stick around!) but not if cancelling is a hassle.

Originally Posted by Servo

Thanks!
Yeah, when I sign up, I just circle the date on my calendar so I don't happen to miss it.

Actually you can cancel right when you sign up for the free trial. No need to worry about forgetting because of an emergency, internet/phone outage, bank/credit card issue or whatever.The free trial will continue.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...deId=201118010

[The_Donster]

Given that we've decided to do a majority of our Christmas shopping on Amazon, I think we'll be renewing our Prime membership. As far as the shipping increase? I think it is understandable. Shipping contests are increasing and they're trying to encourage people to just sign up with Prime. Given the benefits and shipping it is worth it.

[MrHT]

Just discovered this now when trying to place an order. How absurd!! $35 is too much!!

[skiizim]

Originally Posted by MrHT

Just discovered this now when trying to place an order. How absurd!! $35 is too much!!

It wouldn't be so bad if they started shipping your stuff once you order it but it's almost like they put a delay on it before they even start your order.