Amazon may raise Prime prices.

[pidgeon92]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I can no longer justify the price of a pound of bacon.

It comes in 12oz packages now.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

It comes in 12oz packages now.

Oh, I'm not falling for THAT clever ruse.

[cfrizz]

Originally Posted by crich70

It hasn't been advertised as a rich customer only section either. But that is what it will quickly become if they raise the price any higher. I grant you that not everyone will want AP and it is an extra. in fact I've never disputed that, but by raising the price up they will be taking the choice of whether or not someone will sign up for it away from some people, because even among those that have it now not everyone will be able to afford it. If something like the perks that AP gives is only accessible to someone because they are at a certain social level financially and they can't have that item simply because they can't afford it isn't that discriminatory? Granted there are some things that most people can't afford even with a higher level of income and some of them (like private planes and sports cars) have always been luxury items, but those same items have always cost more than most people have because of how much it costs to produce them. Things like AP are on a whole different level because they aren't that expensive. Just over the margin of what is affordable by everyone. Right now the cost of AP is more than what I pay each month for electric service but that's only because I qualify for the budget plan. Otherwise it'd be a lot more than it is. And what of those who can afford it now but won't be able to if they raise the price higher? Isn't that discrimination against them?

I'm sorry there is no discrimination here. You have a choice to either pay the fee, or choose not to because it is too expensive. You either have the money or you don't. If you don't that is not Amazon's fault and they aren't putting a gun to your head to buy an Amazon Prime membership. You just can't afford it. No one is at fault.

This is just business. When a business's expenses start to go up they more than likely pass that expense along to the consumer.

Health ins. is a perfect example.

You either pay a very high monthly premium, but when you need medical attn., you are not asked to pay a deductible, or copay or coinsurance.

Or you pay less money each month but when you need medical attn., you are visited by someone who tells you that you have a 500.00 annl. deductible and or a 500.00 copay per admission, and or a 10, 20 % or more coinsurance that you are responsible for.

You either pay it up front, or get hit with it later, but make no mistake you WILL pay it one way or another!

[Jessica Lares]

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

So would your parents!

They aren't paying for it. I pay for my tuition out of my own pocket! I could easily go for a few years more, but I've decided not to because I'm tired of paying for it. I wish I could go the Steve Jobs route and just go and not get credit for it, because I'd totally do it.

It's just a side thing, I was never pursuing a degree.

And yes, bacon is expensive now too. I have to settle for just bacon bits now.

I think the whole discrimination thing is blown out of proportion. Come on now. When does your Prime membership expire? In 5 months? Put away $5-10 to the side every month. Heck, I have that in spare change I've been collecting from shopping over the last 6 months.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by OtterBooks

just about everyone I know has at least the shipping version of Prime membership, either through a friend/family member's account or by way of one of the discounted/free memberships. I suppose if I were paying $80 for it an extra $40 may cause me to cancel, but if their shipping costs jumped 19%, I don't really fault them for not eating it.

What's disconcerting though is that they already raised the minimum for non-Prime customers to get free shipping.

$40 is a 50 percent jump--that's huge.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

No one has any inherent right to be able to afford all the things they WANT to buy. Period.

Monkeys do

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by crich70

It hasn't been advertised as a rich customer only section either. But that is what it will quickly become if they raise the price any higher. I grant you that not everyone will want AP and it is an extra. in fact I've never disputed that, but by raising the price up they will be taking the choice of whether or not someone will sign up for it away from some people, because even among those that have it now not everyone will be able to afford it. If something like the perks that AP gives is only accessible to someone because they are at a certain social level financially and they can't have that item simply because they can't afford it isn't that discriminatory? Granted there are some things that most people can't afford even with a higher level of income and some of them (like private planes and sports cars) have always been luxury items, but those same items have always cost more than most people have because of how much it costs to produce them. Things like AP are on a whole different level because they aren't that expensive. Just over the margin of what is affordable by everyone. Right now the cost of AP is more than what I pay each month for electric service but that's only because I qualify for the budget plan. Otherwise it'd be a lot more than it is. And what of those who can afford it now but won't be able to if they raise the price higher? Isn't that discrimination against them?

$119 a year is about 35 cents a day. Some may not be able to afford this or can afford it but lack the discipline to save up for it. You don't have to be rich to afford 35 cents a day, but I don't think it is any more discriminatory than cable or phone or any other service pricing. It is a luxury/convenience service not something necessary for day to day living. My phone company charges far more as does my power company. Where I live in the summer you have to get water delivered at $30 a tank. Some people actually have to go to a friends house if they want a shower. Go after those guys for discrimination.

Helen

[Rizla]

The thirteen richest people in the world own more than 50% of the world's population. I doubt they bother with Prime.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Rizla

The thirteen richest people in the world own more than 50% of the world's population.

Wow. In the old days, slave owners would own a few dozen people at most.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by Catlady

What's disconcerting though is that they already raised the minimum for non-Prime customers to get free shipping.

$40 is a 50 percent jump--that's huge.

When shipping costs go up a company that works with low margins like Amazon can't be expected to keep prices stable for ever --- as much as they would like to avoid rocking the boat. There is nothing discriminatory about charging more to avoid losing money.

[Fluribus]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I've had it take longer than two business days, once or twice. I was bummed out when it happened, sure. But if I'm honest with myself, there were also a few times that I got things the very next business day (order on Friday; on doorstep Monday). I have no real complaints about the shipping after two-ish years of Prime membership.

Over the holiday season, I was receiving orders with astonishing alacrity. I kept wondering if I had inadvertently signed up for Prime.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Fluribus

Over the holiday season, I was receiving orders with astonishing alacrity. I kept wondering if I had inadvertently signed up for Prime.

Alliteraritive alacrity points awarded.

[Kumabjorn]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

No one has any inherent right to be able to afford all the things they WANT to buy. Period.

The most expensive thing I can think of is an aircraft carrier. This begs the question; Could Bill Gates afford one?

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Monkeys do

I'm so tired of the ruling monkistacracy rubbing their privilege in everyone's faces.

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

The most expensive thing I can think of is an aircraft carrier. This begs the question; Could Bill Gates afford one?

Yes. He could (if they give him 90 days same as cash). But they won't sell him one. Now THAT'S discrimination.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I'm so tired of the ruling monkistacracy rubbing their privilege in everyone's faces.

Oh, that was privilge those monkeys were rubbing? I didn't know it smelled like that.