<p>We also got the notice for $99 starting next January. Odds are I’ll renew; we don’t order a lot but do appreciate the free shipping and 2 day delivery. I also watch streaming shows and movies through my Wii, and get the free monthly book on my Kindle. So tough decision!</p>
<p>I need to look into the streaming more to see if there is anything we’d enjoy. Just never consider that option! With one of those Google Chromecast devices we could stream from Amazon right onto our TV, right??</p>
<p>IS the increase to $99 effective next renewal (ours will be in Sept) or next January? Seems like they realize people will tolerate 2 jumps of $20 (assuming they will increase it from 99 to 119 next time) vs a big $40 jump at once.</p>
<p>Twas my lucky day. Mine renewed yesterday at $79, got the email that in a year it will increase to $99. Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket. :)</p>
<p>(Still a good deal for us even at $99.)</p>
<p>jym, the jump occurs when it’s time for your annual renewal. I got the email also, and it will go up in May. arabrab, your timing was great.</p>
<p>Not sure if I will renew. I do like Amazon, but I don’t buy that often. And I’ve read some stories recently that makes me question how much I want to support them. </p>
<p>The email I got says it will go up at my next renewal, which is in October. I’ll keep my membership. Because you can allow up to 4 people to use Prime and the free shipping, it’s paid for itself easily and will continue to be worth it even at $99. I’ll just need to remember to budget for it.</p>
<p>Mine renews in August. I am leaning towards keeping it for $99, but that is irritating me because I didn’t think I would accept $119 and it’s not that much difference, and if I accept $99 I will probably accept $119 after that. Which is probably exactly what they thought I would do. Dammit! Even brilliant to let us know they were thinking $119 so we can be relieved when it’s only $99… </p>
<p>Apparently my fiance got rid of his prime account last year and I have been sharing my membership with him all this time, and I had no idea. So I guess my gift concerns are unfounded, it worked out fine. </p>
<p>So what are those winning lottery numbers, arabrab?</p>
<p>I got my email today too. We use the video and am fine with that as we don’t use netflicks or cable. </p>
<p>Our email says that when my D’s free trial period runs out in June, the renewal will be at the original price of $39 for one year and the increase to $49 will occur in June 2015… That sounds fair… And since her account is my account we are all on it and have used it a lot!</p>
<p>No email yet re: our renewal but my renewal doesn’t occur until next January. I probably will renew at $99 since four of us use it.</p>
<p>The difference between $79 and $99 is negligible. The real test will be to see how much erosion in the services Amazon allows to creep in. I am afraid that over time, Amazon might rely on cheaper delivery groups or keep allowing UPS to play fast and loose with the 2 days rules. They might also increase the number of articles that need to be grouped (add-ons items) or decide to separate the streaming and kindle offers from the straight delivery benefits. Regardless, I still hope that Amazon will use its amazing technology to clamp down on the abusive use of students’ accounts and restrict the use by the non-student family members. It is clear that the abuses end up costing everyone as Amazon needs to increase the full-pay memberships to cover the loss leaders. Pretty basic math! </p>
<p>PS Not to mention that paying for the full membership when several family members use the services (including the streaming) is actually a better deal. </p>
<p>
I think so – you might also look into buying a Roku. I absolutely love my Roku – I think the difference is that with the Chromecast, you would also need to have your computer running-- I may be mistaken, but I think that Chromecast is a little USB device that transmits what is playing on your computer to your t.v. </p>
<p>Roku is a little device that plugs into your t.v. and connects directly to your wireless modem, and streams all sorts of stuff, including Netflix and Amazon directly into your t.v… </p>
<p>I’d note that one really nice thing about the streaming media is the kid shows – when my grandson comes to visit I’ve got a a zillion options for him - pretty much anything he asks for, I’ve got… Thomas the Train? check. Dora the Explorer? check. It really came in handy when he was here in December with a full cast on his broken leg, and had limited mobility. </p>
<p>–
And as to the renewal, I also got the $99 notice today – and my renewal is next month, so I will be hit with it sooner. But it’s pretty much a no-brainer for me - I order from Amazon all the time. $99 equates to $8.25/month. It’s worth it to me just for the convenience of not having to run out to various stores to pick up household items. </p>
<p>^^ Yep, my account will also renew at the $99 in September. If the Prime Fresh did ensure the use of the better delivery companies, I probably would upgrade to the $299 version. In the end, it is a matter of weighing the cost versus the utilization of the service, and then weigh it against all other hidden and common costs. When comparing the cost of maintaining Amazon next to the cell phone, the cable bill, or the simple cost of driving around to stores outside the city, Amazon is a real bargain. The reality is that I probably could find $99 dollars of services I did not even know I am paying for by analyzing my ATT or Comcast bill. And that is for starters! :)</p>
<p>PS Regarding Roku vs Chromecast vs ATV, it should be a matter of weeks for Amazon to release it own unit. This is bound to create waves in the streaming world. </p>
<p>I sent back the roku device, stopped working after a day, and spent 2 hours waiting for their tech support. </p>
<p>So I’m waiting for the new roku streaming plug in- </p>
<p>The Roku Streaming Stick (HDMI Version) is a convenient little stick that streams the most entertainment to your TV. Choose from 1,000+ channels and 31,000+ movies with more added all the time. Cast Netflix, YouTube and personal media from your smartphone or tablet to your TV. Control it with the included remote or from your mobile device.
Free Shipping + 30 Day Money Back Guarantee</p>
<p>$49
Pre-order
Find in store
Mmmmmm didn’t know about amazon entering the market - maybe I’ll wait. Thanks xiggi</p>
<p><a href=“Details emerge on Amazon streaming music service, set-top box - Android Community”>http://androidcommunity.com/details-emerge-on-amazon-streaming-music-service-set-top-box-20140311/</a>
or
<a href=“Amazon Said To Be Looking At March For Streaming TV Box Launch | TechCrunch”>http://techcrunch.com/2014/02/21/amazon-said-to-be-looking-at-march-for-streaming-tv-box-launch/</a></p>
<p>Actually part of the reason I am not using amazon as much is because of the add on thing, a lot of what I’d buy right now are add on items and I dont buy enough to get those. Which I guess is fair because it was highway robbery to have items that cheap shipped for free, but it’s still a bummer. The trouble for me is that in the last year I think we went from spending $500-$600 a month on amazon to $20 or less. If our spending stays this low, I don’t think it makes sense to renew. But I’m not sure what our spending will be like for the next year. It would be nice if there was a discount for people who have had it for a while, an incentive not to just cancel it and re-subscribe if I want to buy something heavy later.</p>
<p>I would guess the intention is to prune customers like I’ve been lately who they aren’t really making enough money from to break even with prime. They just want to keep the people who are spending big bucks for whom the $120 price tag is a no-brainer.</p>
<p>My apologies if this is something that has been discussed here:</p>
<p><a href=“Amazon Accused of Cheating Customers Through Shipping Costs - ABC News”>http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=22882043&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F</a></p>
<p>When I order from Costco, the item description usually says “shipping and handling included” - not “free shipping”. </p>
<p>I like Amazon, but the “two day shipping” is already something that they play fast and loose on. If they fail to meet the two day window, you get nada. They shift the window at their convenience – I’ll get emails advising me to expect something on Thursday, and then on Wednesday if I look at the status it sometimes says Friday or Monday, and the shipped from Amazon time has magically moved a day later than it was in the original “shipped” message. Lots of packages get handed off to USPS, and that rather completely throws off the delivery time – and USPS often scans packages as “delivered” when they’ve left the post office, hours or even a day or more before they are on your doorstep.</p>