I never said I objected to the cost of the Prime. I don’t have it because I don’t use it enough to make it worthwhile. I can afford the $99 or the $119, it just isn’t a service I utilize enough to spend the money on. Also, for what it’s worth, I do sometimes treat my friend to coffee or pick up something for her at Costco that I don’t take reimbursement for just because and to say thank you for letting me piggy back on her Prime. I have used it about 4 times in three years, so I don’t think I am taking advantage. I also ask her each time and don’t just log in, even though she gave me her info and said use it any time. I don’t feel comfortable doing that. This particular friend would not accept a contribution towards the Prime, because I think she uses it for her business so the cost might actually be a deduction, so I say thank you in other ways. I also only use my friend’s Prime if I absolutely need it immediately, which is usually something for my MIL. Otherwise, I use regular Amazon and bundle for free shipping, as I said earlier.
“ FedEx, UPS, and USPS all competently put packages by the front door.”
Not where I live. UPS in particular likes to leave packages right in front of the garage door, where they can be backed over if I’m home during the delivery, or run over in the dark if I’m coming home at the end of the day. So, at the suggestion of UPS staff, I signed up for the UPS app and specified that packages should be left at the front door. Now when I get a delivery, they leave it in front of the garage and say that they left it by the door.
I have noticed that with Prime, it’s easy to go straight to Amazon and not comparison shop because of the 2-day delivery. And sometimes you’re paying a multiple of what the same item costs at another store.
I just checked my Amazon account, and it stated that my Prime membership will renew on Jan. 3, 2019 at $99. Is it that Amazon hasn’t updated that info? I doubt it.
The contracted delivery drivers are another reason I’m considering not renewing. I don’t like this gig economy where people are taken advantage of to provide cheap service. They are hired as independent contractors, don’t get a guaranteed wage, eat transportation costs, and receive no benefits. I’d rather support UPS, USPS and Fedex drivers.
(Not to mention that my daughter has anxiety issues caused, in part, by one of those white delivery vans) As others have noted, Walmart now has 2 day delivery. I also have found that Petco will get my dog food to me just as quickly as Amazon, and I feel more comfortable about the freshness and quality of the product. AND, I don’t even have to have a profile account - i can just paypal an order, so it’s just as quick and easy as ordering through Amazon.
I had too many problems with Amazon last year, and I don’t want to see a world where retail stores disappear and drones and UPS drivers are everywhere, but for the rest of you…
Since I quit Amazon, it’s interesting to order occasionally from other places. Quite often the shipping is still free and the item costs less. Amazon is banking on the addiction of their patrons, and that “one click” ordering and all plays right into that since people don’t usually bother to even shop around. Be careful out there!
At our old house, the FedEx dude would notoriously toss my packages into the biggest puddle he could find in our driveway. The Fedex dude at House2 stacks packages on the welcome mat by the front door. USPS and UPS folks at both places do a fine job. Amazon weekend contractors were all nice and courteous, too, so far.
I buy pet supplies from Chewy. They ship lightening fast and free if over $50. With 3 cats, $50 only scrapes the bottom… wet food, dry food, and litter add up!
“I don’t like this gig economy where people are taken advantage of to provide cheap service. They are hired as independent contractors, don’t get a guaranteed wage, eat transportation costs, and receive no benefits. I’d rather support UPS, USPS and Fedex drivers.”
Most local Fedex deliverers work for independent contractors not Fedex. If you are getting a delivery from a truck that says Fedex Ground, it’s like to be someone who isn’t a Fedex employee.
And, yes, it always pays to shop around which is actually easy to do via the internet.
@TiggerDad – the price increase doen’t go into effect for renewals until June 16th – so the info on the site will probably update after that. If you really want to save $20 – you probably could go ahead and renew sooner.
I’ve had Amazon Prime for years. I just looked back through my account and noted that on average, my family has placed 50 orders per year. So far in 2018, 18 orders, but my college student and one of my teenagers use my account with their own debit cards and order things every so often. I’ve gotten much more purposeful in my ordering and find that I will put something in my cart but wait a few days before ordering to ensure it’s something I really do want or to see if I can find it elsewhere for cheaper. I’m also more aware of counterfeit products being sold so some things I have bought in the past, I don’t buy anymore b/c I don’t want to risk it not being the real thing. For example, a physical sunscreen that if counterfeit, obviously might not be safe and upon researching, discovered a local store carries it for the same price, but just means more effort to purchase since I have to drive there.
In terms of shipping, I have a fabulous UPS driver. In fact, we’ve had a couple different drivers over the years and all of them have been awesome. Long story, but previous driver misdelivered a Christmas gift and even tho it turned up at a neighbor’s house, he came to my house to personally apologize. He was very upset at the thought it was one of my kid’s “big” gifts that would have caused heartbreak had it not turned up (it was actually just a pair of lacrosse socks!). He was genuinely upset b/c he’d never had it happen before and I felt so bad b/c I wasn’t even upset it had gone missing! Our current driver is also incredible. He actually stops even when I don’t have a delivery to leave dog treats for my dogs.
My only problem currently with Amazon is that they have partnered with USPS. Our local post office is horrific. I’m not sure where the fault lies b/c it is apparent they are overworked. Not only are there constantly missing packages in my area, but even the post office clerks terrible. At least once a week someone posts on our neighborhood page looking for a “delivered” package. Often the package is marked “delivered to front door” when in fact, they haven’t even delivered the package (it shows up a day or two later). I rarely got packages from USPS so it wasn’t really a problem until amazon started using them
Coincidentally, after reading this thread yesterday day I realized a personalized dog tag I ordered from Amazon had never arrived. I was cleaning out my email and noticed I had an email several days ago from the Amazon seller stating that my package had been returned as “address unknown/undeliverable” by none other than USPS. I was asked to verify the address or correct it so they could resend. Well, the address, the same address I’ve lived at for the last 20 years, was correct but for some reason USPS claimed it was unknown. Bizarre.
I won’t get rid of Amazon Prime with this latest increase but I will be paying attention to how many orders I place and whether it is worth it to keep Prime versus just a regular account.
"Often the package is marked “delivered to front door” when in fact, they haven’t even delivered the package (it shows up a day or two later). "
Yes! That definitely happens. I read that it happens because they want to give the impression they delivered on-time to satisfy their contract with Amazon. So, they basically cheat and lie. USPS is a mess, IMO. The staff working in my local PO are very helpful and friendly. The route people are pretty crappy. We get mail all the time that isn’t ours which I’m sure means other people are getting our mail. Often its mail that isn’t even from our street or neighborhood.
Just a plug for USPS. We are VERY, VERY lucky because our post woman gives us the same delivery service that most of us had 30 years ago. But when she retires, I’m sure the quality of our delivery will deteriorate. When her sub delivers on her day off, we notice a difference. Also, the USPS truck that delivers Amazon packages on Sundays does a very efficient job. But our post office is in a small town that prides itself in serving its customers.
I have had this happen multiple times, and there is pretty much nothing you can do. I’ve called the local postmaster to complain and get “we’ll look into it” and that’s the last you ever hear of it.
Yes there is something you can do about it. Call Amazon. They will credit your account or resend the item or both. But this happening mulriple times is why I quit Prime.
Well last 3 orders are late. 1 sat in their warehouse for 3 days and it was supposed to be here same day. When they were using UPS I had no problems, now the driver with with white truck cannot seem to get my orders to my house. Already got a $10.00 credit…Wonder what I will get when I call to complain today.
So… $10 per month for shipping whether you use it or not. There’s no way that balances out to be worth it for us. We don’t order that much online (preferring to support local stores when we can) and when we do (for things we can’t find locally or shipping to other people), I usually spend enough to not have to pay shipping anyway even if ordering from Amazon.
Of course, we never used Prime even when it was less so Amazon is not losing a customer. It’s just more of a “no way” for our family. I never bought into the “Need it NOW” mentality. Our lifestyle is very laid back.
@Creekland, not everybody uses Prime for the “Need it NOW” mentality, yet rather for convenience. D and SIL are both new Dr.'s in residency and simply don’t have the time to go out and shop. When I told her about the increase she said she would gladly pay, that their time is worth it. They also use stop and shop delivery for groceries, but do go to a brick and mortar for produce. It also helps that they live in an apartment building with concierge service so they never have to deal with stolen packages.
@CottonTales One can still order from Amazon for convenience (for free) without needing to get it immediately, so I’m not sure what your point is… Any online ordering suffices for convenience if one doesn’t want to or can’t to a store (or the store doesn’t carry what one is looking for).
