Email
RSS Reader
Mobile Version
Amazon Prime Just Got Even Better
Saturday, October 17, 2009 OK, so I know I’m doing two Amazon-related posts in a row (the Kindle price drop was just before this one). But I just got an email from Amazon that made me happy – they are improving their already-awesome Amazon Prime shipping features. In case you weren’t already aware, Amazon Prime is an annual, fee-based program that gives you automatic upgrades to free 2nd-Day Air shipping for any Prime-eligible item.
The big news is that they have improved Prime so that items ordered on Thursday will be delivered on Saturday now, instead of Monday. Gotta love it – here is the blurb I got:
Why is Prime handy?
Other than just wanting things ASAP, I like Prime for a couple of key reasons:
- I often order presents for friends and relatives in other states. I love being able to order something knowing it will show up 2 days after I place the order – it makes the gift seem even more special or important, and it gives me the freedom to wait until almost the last minute before ordering.
- This is especially valuable around Christmas, when I can order things until December 22nd and they’ll still arrive on Christmas Eve. Note that this even helps if you’re going to your relatives’ house – you can ship the gift (pre-wrapped by Amazon, if you wish) and not have to worry about trying to carry it on or putting it in your checked luggage.
- Sometimes I ‘need’ a gadget before a trip, and I only realize it at the last minute. Because of Prime, I can order a couple of days before I leave and still get it in time (in some of these cases, I’ll buck up for Overnight shipping for an extra $3.99 – very handy when you need it.
Amazon Prime costs $79 per year (averaging to a bit more than 6 bucks a month), and I know it saves me much more than that every year. Not sure if it's for you? Give it a try - they'll let you take a test drive for 30 days - just click here if you want to take an Amazon Prime free trial.
Reader Comments (3)
Dwayne it seems to calculate out as a savings if (1) you order frequently and (2) need everything ordered right away. A low cost option is to not pay the $79 and use the low cost combined items shipping items. It requires more planning but can save more money in the long run.
Best thing about Amazon, they do provide great options for there good service!
Good analysis, Steve. That is true - if you don't order that often, you may not want to go the Prime route.
I order enough books and other things (and gift enough books) that it is definitely worth it for me, since there is no minimum order size, I get faster shipping than the standard free shipping method, and I don't have to do as much planning.
Another nuance - if I want to order 5 things but ship them to 3 different addresses (common around the holidays), I can do that under the Prime program without having to worry about extra costs or how to "bulk up" the orders to get free shipping.
You're right about the options - they are giving us lots of choices.
We do Prime - and it's actually pretty good for us.
We use Amazon a lot - and the 2nd day delivery is a life saver.
In response to Steve Sherlock - I wish I was organised enough to plan and get the savings.