Amazon raises free shipping minimum to $35

[rdodolak]

For those that haven't heard yet and don't have Amazon Prime, Amazon's minimum order size for free shipping has changed to $35 as of 22 Oct 13.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/?docId=1001427161

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...deId=201117690

Changes to Amazon Free Shipping

These changes relate specifically to FREE Super Saver Shipping. All other services remain unchanged.

Amazon's minimum order size for free shipping has changed to $35. This is the first time in more than a decade that Amazon has altered the minimum order for free shipping in the US. During that time, we have expanded free shipping selection by millions of items across all 40 product categories. Look for "FREE Shipping" on product pages to discover eligible items.

Millions of Amazon customers have already made the choice of faster shipping by becoming Amazon Prime members. Prime includes unlimited Free Two-Day Shipping, with no minimum order size, on more than 15 million items, as well as unlimited streaming of over 41,000 movies and TV episodes through Prime Instant Video and access to over 350,000 books to borrow through the Kindle Owners' Lending Library. The service is so popular that more than a year ago we began shipping more items with Prime than with free shipping. Click here to start a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime.

Whichever shipping speed you choose, thank you for shopping at Amazon.com.

[Evil]

It's interesting to me that Best Buy changed to a $25 minimum recently and now Amazon raised their minimum. I can't help but wonder if there is connection (one responding to the other).

[chris_sc77]

this is a nightmare for me. I guess I wont be shopping from Amazon much anymore

[wickerjay]

I'm Prime, but still...

[A Sith Lord?]

Welp. I was buying less on Amazon already.

My routine has been buy kindle cards from Best Buy and rack up extra RZ points with the credit card, then buy on Amazon.

Amazon re-upped my Prime without me knowing (I forgot it was almost due) so I'm stuck with it for at least another 10 months I believe.

[Clark Kent]

Amazon has been pushing to move away from casual customers. It's a ballsy move before the Christmas shopping season. If sales drastically drop, expect the minimum to be lowered once again.

[HDMe]

This is not an evil thing... but it is evidence of why people shouldn't wish doom & gloom for the brick and mortar stores... more competition helps keep these things better for consumers.

[MJW]

I know this isn't necessarily a "Movie and TV Deal" but I thought this was the most relevant forum to post this in since many of us who frequently check the "Hot Deals" section also shop on Amazon regularly.

Amazon has raised their free shipping minimum from $25 to $35, effective 10/21/13:

Amazon's minimum order size for free shipping has changed to $35. This is the first time in more than a decade that Amazon has altered the minimum order for free shipping in the US. During that time, we have expanded free shipping selection by millions of items across all 40 product categories. Look for "FREE Shipping" on product pages to discover eligible items.

I'm a little disappointed because half the time I'm barely able to meet the $25 minimum.

[neoz]

So much for Amazon being the "best". Dang this sucks for those without Prime. Like you I spend a lot on Amazon and the $25 was hard enough. $35 is going to be harder.

[West E]

I'm a member of Prime so it doesn't bother me.

[MifuneFan]

They'll get less business from me. I don't spend enough to justify prime so I always use FSSS. It sucks too since BB has a $25 minimum now.

[West E]

Prime works out to $6.58 a month. If you do a lot of shopping on there it's really the smarter choice rather paying the $3 shipping or adding stuff you didn't want to your cart.

[Doctor Jack]

Thankfully I have Prime student. This news doesn't surprise me in the least. Shipping costs are crazy these days that businesses almost have to do this now.

[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.

[BaerGriggs]

I haven't renewed my Prime Student membership yet, but they take a big hit on shipping from me lol. I think I bought like 80 items from Amazon in the last year, including some massive ones like a TV, Harry Potter Wizard's Collection, and Yamaha HTiB.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Amazon be ?

Would have been smarter for them to go to $30 for a year first.

[newginafets]

Prime since long time

[madlost1]

Oh wait I have prime.

Seriously though prime is the best deal out there. If you shop with them regularly the free shipping is worth it alone but when you add in the prime instant streaming it just makes everything so much better.

[Marcus Carr]

And not long after raising their shipping to $3.99.

Might be time to test how long you can hold something in your cart. (Two months would be nice.)

[bsweetness]

Originally Posted by West E

Prime works out to $6.58 a month. If you do a lot of shopping on there it's really the smarter choice rather paying the $3 shipping or adding stuff you didn't want to your cart.

And after you have it for awhile, you'll start buying more things you need/want from Amazon instead of in a physical store, and that can equate to even more overall savings since A) some things are often cheaper on Amazon and B) it can sometimes prevent making trips to different stores, which can save gas and time (aka money x 2). I was uncertain about the value of Prime before signing up, but since I did, I've come out way ahead each year on the annual cost versus the savings I get from it. It also comes in handy with buying last minute gifts - you can have the gift shipped directly to the recipient, which saves you having to pay to mail them something if they live a little bit away (it also comes in handy if you're traveling - particularly flying - and want/need to have gifts at your destination for folks).

Plus, Amazon Prime Instant video is included. While it doesn't have as much stuff as Netflix, it's constantly growing and has quite a bit of content (with some very promising original content coming soon). There's also the Prime Lending Library for those with a Kindle.

So yeah, in the long run, Prime is a heck of a deal. There's a lot more value and utility to it than many people realize.