That’s where each consumer just needs to decide about their own value proposition. I let my Costco membership lapse because I didn’t want to tie up that many resources (liquid and storage) in keeping a two month supply of salsa or razor blades on hand. To me, getting things when I want them is more important. I am a “what’s for dinner tonight?” person not a freezer full of meat person. I am thinking of @pizzagirl her and our past discussion about exchanging conversation with grocery checkers. For me it works to use the “continental” model of stopping in at the shops on my way home and picking up just what I need based on what looks good today. I am close enough to the shops that I don’t need to have those kinds of things shipped. What I like is to save search time and energy in finding the things that are a bit less ubiquitous.
Costco is the closest grocery store to my house, less than 10 min drive. We eat a lot of certain items, especially fresh fruit, which is always very good quality. Even though there is only 2 of us, our membership pays off for us. We are in and out of Costco 1-2 times a week. Other folks who shop for food daily may not find much value in having a membership. It is a good thing there are choices!
Now, cat feeders. We have 3. Two older models Le Bistro (beige plastic) work just fine, knock on wood, but the third, an updated version of the same (dark grey plastic), malfunctions every time - and has been for a year now. The tortie figured out how to shake her undelivered portion out with her paw, but I thought she deserved a working feeder. The one I just ordered is a CatMate feeder - I will post my reviews after we get to test it.
I see that Amazon has introduced home services. Has anyone used this service yet?
That isnt the Amazon Fresh?
Interesting.
I did just get a name from a friend for a handyguy.
H has always insisted on doing things himself, but I would like him to have free time to do something besides working on the house.
I could use a dump run though.
Last night I ordered a sprinkler and a shower rod from Amazon (Prime). If I had had to go to a store I wouldn’t have gotten there until Saturday earliest. I love Amazon Prime it makes me less grumpy.
I find that that is RARELY the case when factoring ALL the costs.
Different sellers set different pricing structures and there are numerous independent sellers on Amazon who make just as much money from the shipping than from the sales itself. It does not take a Rhodes scholar to understand the full dynamics of Amazon’s business.
Regardless of the price differences, it remains that it is always CLEARLY disclosed and anyone can check prices elsewhere and relying on an automatic price comparison tool.
Frankly, I have a hard time following the logic behind criticizing a recent sale (that worked for millions, including myself) and harping on the packaging or pricing of an item that is pedestrian and costs just a bit more than a Starbucks coffee! As far as I know, if it were that important, why not message them for a full refund?
Would our life be better … without Prime and with 100 dollars more in the bank? In my case, I do not think so!
H is a stalwart fan of Prime, for shipping alone. Lots of merchants have restrictions or extra charges for shipping to HI (sadly even Costco). We haven’t viewed the TV shows we are entitled to with prime, but happy H makes me happy!
I dunno… I’d probably be skinnier if I actually got off my butt and went to the store rather than one-click purchasing 
In all seriousness, as a student, Prime is just as necessary to me as any other school supply. Especially now that I’m making my own courses, being able to have free and quick shipping on books is absolutely essential.
The prime prices are frequently, if not usually about the same as what the non prime plus shipping cost is, and yet one has already paid $100/yr for the “privilege” of prime. And more items now require a minimum purchase, but they call it an “add on” which is a joke. Whatever. We all have our own experiences and opinions. No point beating a dead horse.
You are right about not beating a dead horse, as you are determined to use a set of facts that mystify the customers who have been long term paying Prime members. You are clearly misrepresenting how the price structure works and I am dumbfounded that someone who claim to have used AZ for such a long time is failing to understand the benefits of the … 99 dollars membership. I fail to understand the problem of add-ons … how hard is it to get enough merchandise to justify a shipment? Do we really need to be able to buy a two dollars item with overnight shipping?