Amazon Raises Free Shipping Minimum to $35

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

So far between 2 day shipping, the steaming service and the occasional use of the lending library Prime's been worth the $6.58 a month for me. If it was just shipping I'm not sure it would be anymore as I order a lot less than I once did.

Same here. Shipping alone wouldn't have me re-upping my Prime Membership, but all the perks combined have been very "worth it" for me.

[simplyparticular]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

Most stores minimum is $50. We have Prime and will keep it. Prime Combined with subscribe and save and Amazon Mom saves us 20% on the items that we buy on a regular basis.

This! I started Amazon Prime when they ran a Christmas discount offer 5 or 6 years ago, but quickly realized it was worth every penny to get diapers auto-shipped. My daughter's skinny little tush only fit Huggies Supreme. Amazon Subscribe and Save saved me a lot of laundry, money and time spent driving around town checking different stores for her size. The Prime meant I could afford to have diapers shipped.

I'm not brand conscious for most things, but there are some hygiene and cleaning products we prefer due to sensitive skin. Local stores do a lousy job keeping certain items in stock, and I can't substitute something else if it's going to give one of us a rash. So anything that I have a brand preference for, I have a subscription, even Kotex. You can also get a 20% discount if you have 5 or more subscriptions that ship in the same month. I'm not a big fan of Amazon's Kindle, but I'm a big evangelist for Prime + Subscribe & Save.

Originally Posted by jswinden

It was no brainer for me to have Prime back when I didn't have to pay state sales tax. But now I have to pay the state sales tax through Amazon, so the prices are more on par with other sites. But I still get a good deal through all the shipping orders.

Yeah, that took a chunk out of the savings, but it's still generally cheaper for me to buy from Amazon, and it's worth it for me in time - I hate shopping, and I REALLY hate shopping for something I know I'll have to check more than one store to get.

I haven't used the lending Library, since I don't own a Kindle, although I buy kids books with the Kindle iOS app. But I have enjoyed watching the PBS and BBC programs at my leisure in the Instant Video app.

So I feel I get a lot for my $79.

I think people will do the math and realize they might as well pay the Prime fee. I wonder if they'll do a Prime discount this holiday season?

[ApK]

Originally Posted by simplyparticular

I wonder if they'll do a Prime discount this holiday season?

That would irritate me, since I just joined.
You know, the way my luck runs, my having just joined almost guarantees there will be a discount coming shortly....

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by simplyparticular

I think people will do the math and realize they might as well pay the Prime fee. I wonder if they'll do a Prime discount this holiday season?

I used to buy a bunch of small items from Amazon when I had Prime. After I cancelled it, those small orders dried up and I bought them elsewhere. Amazon's loss.

Remember last year's $7.99 monthly trial? I would've loved that. Perfect for holiday shopping and videos. I'd get it for Nov and Dec, then I'd cancel. Maybe that's why Amazon thought twice about it and abruptly pulled it.

Originally Posted by afv011

You always had to pay state sales tax. I guess the IRS will be very happy about your public confession of tax evasion.

The IRS could care less about state sales tax.

[library addict]

Well, bummer. While the prime membership may "pay for itself" for many I have managed this long without it. Guess I'll just have to wait and combine more orders.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by library addict

Guess I'll just have to wait and combine more orders.

This is where Amazon loses out. Customers who wait until they've met the higher threshold just might go elsewhere if they can't wait.

[AnemicOak]

Amazon's big on data. At a guess they have lots and lots of numbers on how many people barely met the $25 min threshold and how many would still meet it at $35 based on past numbers. Combined with increasing shipping costs I'd guess they have a pretty good handle on how this change will play out. Doesn't mean they'll be right of course, only time will tell.

[tubemonkey]

I've used friends with Prime accounts to place orders for me, when I was either in a hurry or couldn't wait to meet the $25 minimum.

[frahse]

I have had Prime for years.
Pay no sales tax.
Get extra 3% off because I use Amazon's credit card.

My name is #$@%^# and I live in *^&%$#.

Merry Christmas!

[Connallmac]

Living in the country, I love my Prime subscription. It saves me a bundle of time and gas money, as otherwise I'd have to drive quite a distance to even shop for the things that interest me.

[cfrizz]

Prime has saved me so much time hoofing it from store to store just to NOT find what I'm looking for, so much more money since I can buy in quantity for less money than I would pay in a store with tax on top of it. It has more than paid me back the once a year $79.00.

Whatever I get is put next to my door in two days. It's a bargain!

I spend that every single month just to get a train/bus pass!

[pidgeon92]

I love Prime, have used it for years.

I've been especially happy since I noticed they had several (all?) seasons of Pawn Stars available for streaming.

[Ravensknight]

For those of you who do have Prime, how's the streaming service? I have netflix and really enjoy it. Wondering how Prime stacks up against netflix.

[ProfCrash]

Streaming works better on Amazon, at least for us.