<p>After the increase in fees (not that big of a deal) it seems that Amazon’s affection for the abysmal services of UPS might come at a price. FedEx just announced a change in the calculations of parcels (size versus weight) and it is widely expected that the Brownies will seize the opportunity to raise the cost of bulky items that weigh little. In so many words, Amazon is already saddled with the worst shipper (the one that thinks that 2 days means Monday and the … next Monday) but the cost will go up. The expected result is a further erosion on the “free two days” and a probable reduction in items covered by the policy. </p>
<p>All good things come to an end! While I do not plan to cancel the service, I know it will be quite different in the future with the biggest value of Prime being in the instant delivery of entertainment and a lot less in the delivery of goods. Gone are the days of non-taxable items delivered as … promised. </p>
<p>I plan to cancel. Packages come fedex now, which delivers to the POST OFFICE in two days, and then they get it to me in another 2-3 days. If I’m not getting two day shipping there’s no point. </p>
<p>I’m irritated. My prime membership will end in December. I don’t want to pay $99, but I can’t seem to turn off the auto-renew. I have the option of ending now, but then I will lose 7 months of paid membership. </p>
<p>There is a notice that the payment method associated with my Prime membership (an expired credit card) is invalid. But they say that they will use another payment method that they have a record of, to make sure that benefits are not interrupted! How kind of them. </p>
<p>You have another option. Ask to be reminded and you will see something like:</p>
<h2>On September 14, 2014, you will be charged $99 for another year of Prime. </h2>
<p>A reminder will be sent to you on September 11, 2014</p>
<p>This gives you time to cancel before the renewal or decide to keep it. You could also remember to cancel the cards (on Amazon only) that could be used for an unwanted renewal. </p>
<p>Lastly, if renewed, you can obtain a full refund if you did not order anything with Prime after the renewal. </p>
<p>Thanks, xiggi. I did sign up for the 3-day reminder. The problem is that I get tons of email in my “shopping” account and it’s not unlikely that I’ll miss it. I guess I’ll put something in my calendar.</p>
<p>They should really allow us to cancel the auto-renewal.</p>
<p>I use Amazon, a lot. I am a prime member. I will pay the increase because I order enough to make it worth it. But, for those who are not getting their packages in two days, did you know if you call and complain they will tack on a free month of prime? May make it worthwhile for you then. </p>
<p>mamom, that is the screen I kept coming to. You have the option to cancel, but it takes effect immediately, and there is no refund if you’ve already used it that year. So, in my case, canceling now would mean losing 7 months of Prime benefits that I’ve paid for.</p>
<p>@NYmomof2: I called Amazon several weeks ago and asked them to take me off automatic renewal. I still get to use Prime until it runs out in Dec. Happily, an item I ordered Sun. arrived at my sister’s Manhattan apt on Tuesday, so either the Prime is still in effect or the item was drop shipped from Jersey.</p>
<p>I think Amazon is counting on benefits besides shipping items in order to entice their prime membership. I have to admit, the “free” e-books and expanded programs not available on Hulu or Netflix has kept me as a prime member. </p>
<p>Canceled it after having prime for a year. Don’t need the TV, I have Hulu which I like better, and now that I have to think about how much I’m spending before I earn free shipping, I’m wasting a lot less money on Amazon (which does not always have the lowest prices on items anyway). </p>
<p>The increase in shipping rates are for standard rates only. Amazon negotiates its own much more favorable rates which will not be affected. Smaller companies who don’t ship huge numbers of packages and therefore pay standard rates are much more likely to be affected by the increase.</p>
<p>I was ready to accept the increase, too. But I don’t use it for TV or ebooks, I use it solely for free two day shipping. It’s not really good for that anymore, apparently. It’s nice to have if we order bigger items but that’s practically never, it’d be cheaper to eat the expense when that does occur.</p>
<p>Most things that I buy on Amazon are subscribe and save. Those items are shipped free, although not in 2 days, even if you also have Prime. I almost always have at least 5 items coming each month, so that I can get the 15% discount. I buy laundry detergent, supplements, some Bob’s Red Mill items (black beans, chana dal, steel-cut and rolled oats, etc.), quite a few other things. It’s easy to go in each month and delay shipment on things you don’t need yet and move up shipment on things that you do. </p>
<p>Outside of subscribe and save, most items that are Prime-eligible are also eligible for free shipping with a minimum purchase. I’m seldom in a tearing hurry for something. </p>
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