Amazon Raises Free Shipping Minimum to $49 - Page 2

AnemicOak · 02-21-2016, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

The timing is odd--what with fuel prices trending down.

Yet UPS, USPS & I believe FedEx all announced shipping cost increases IIRC.

Catlady · 02-22-2016, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Yet UPS, USPS & I believe FedEx all announced shipping cost increases IIRC.

Has anyone else noticed that Amazon seems to be using USPS a lot more? Everything I've ordered lately has come via USPS, even the large packages that used to be delivered by UPS.

AnemicOak · 02-22-2016, 12:27 AM

I get quite a bit that comes UPS to the post office and then is delivered via USPS to my home.

BenG · 02-22-2016, 05:17 AM

Didn't the Amazon stock lose 6 billion dollars on the market when the fourth quarter earnings report came out in January.

Rizla · 02-22-2016, 12:23 PM

Maybe Amazon can increase prices because they dominate the online retail market.

Conan46 · 02-22-2016, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rizla

Maybe Amazon can increase prices because they dominate the online retail market.

That is my concern. Amazon has done their job so well for so long now that they may end up the 'last man standing' then they can dictate whatever prices and policies they want.

DiapDealer · 02-22-2016, 01:05 PM

I'd say the number of people in this very thread who say they'll shop elsewhere (and get many things cheaper) because of Amazon's higher shipping costs makes any claims that Amazon is raising prices because of their dominant market position look a bit silly and paranoid.

Purple Lady · 02-22-2016, 02:04 PM

$49 seems awfully high to me. This past weekend I needed a Prime add on item and it was a pain to find items to total $25 because I already had an order a few days before. I added two items that I didn't need right now but that I use regularly to make up the difference. If I didn't have Prime I would have to find somewhere else to buy.

Gotadimple · 02-22-2016, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

$49 seems awfully high to me.

If you have pets and use internet pet supply stores (Chewy.com, Dr Foster & Smith, Petco, etc.), they all have shipping minimums of $49, and have had these minimums for several years.

But, flat rate shipping is 4.95-6.95 if your order is smaller. I think that Amazon's shipping for non-prime stinks. For $5.95 you wait a week before they send it to be shipped, and then, depending on Amazon or the vendor, it can take another week to arrive. $4.95 from a pet supply store gets you your stuff in 3-5 business days. Period.

delph · 02-22-2016, 03:41 PM

The shipping charges and handling time are what get me. I use Chewy.com's subscription service, and it was easy to just set up my shipments to meet the free shipment minimum. If I hadn't, the flat rate and shipping time are great.

In contrast, the shipping on two USB-C adapters from Amazon was $8, more than the actual adapters. My last order with free shipping was placed Thursday, and hasn't shipped yet. The items I bought on eBay yesterday already shipped.

cromag · 02-22-2016, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catlady

Has anyone else noticed that Amazon seems to be using USPS a lot more? Everything I've ordered lately has come via USPS, even the large packages that used to be delivered by UPS.

I seem to recall that Amazon signed a contract with the USPS a while back. One of the terms was that Amazon packages sent via USPS can get delivered on Sunday, but I don't know what other terms might have been involved.

EDIT: I found a reference: http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2013/11/...ostal-service/

GA Russell · 02-22-2016, 08:57 PM

Nowadays, many new paperback books cost over $25.

So I see readers ordering a book, and then adding various items to the cart since the shipping for the whole package will be free.

jswinden · 02-23-2016, 02:03 PM

I'll stick with Prime and the good service, return policy, error correction policy, et cetera. Every shipper is increasing prices even though fuel is now cheaper than has been in years. And most other internet sales companies charge about the same or more for shipping, and most don't have the customer service I get with Amazon. What I'm reading in this thread seems more from Amazon bashers and people who are of the spoiled child mindset and always throw a fit whenever a company raises their prices by one penny. No big deal to me. EVERYTHING under the Sun is going up in price--get used to it.

As far as eBay goes, well I've been screwed over by sellers there so many times, and eBay has little to no inclination to do much about it. I use eBay only when it is the only option available.

With Best Buy you get stripped down electronics wherein they made a deal with the manufacturer to keep the item model number the same as similar items sold elsewhere, but where the manufacturer lessens the specs on the Best Buy item. Pretty underhanded if you ask me. And Best Buy is notorious for selling returned items as though they are unopened new ones. That is pretty obvious when you turn on that new phone and it already has entries in the contacts list!

ApK · 02-23-2016, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

$49 seems awfully high to me.

I suspect that's only because you're used to Amazon offering for lower.
I'm amazed they kept it as low as they did for as long as they did.

Most places, especially specialty places, only have free shipping with at least that much, oftentimes more.

Remember there is NO SUCH THING as free shipping. The cost is being covered somewhere.
(Though I know it's hard to believe that when you see how much you can get some of that Chinese merchandise for on eBay....)

Purple Lady · 02-23-2016, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApK

I suspect that's only because you're used to Amazon offering for lower.
I'm amazed they kept it as low as they did for as long as they did.

Most places, especially specialty places, only have free shipping with at least that much, oftentimes more.

Remember there is NO SUCH THING as free shipping. The cost is being covered somewhere.
(Though I know it's hard to believe that when you see how much you can get some of that Chinese merchandise for on eBay....)

It's because I'm used to free shipping with Prime, and $25 if you have an add on item.

02-22-2016, 03:41 PM	#25
delph Tabby Posts: 154 Karma: 225372 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Portland, OR, US Device: Kobo Glo HD, Kobo Mini, Lenovo Yoga 2 10"	The shipping charges and handling time are what get me. I use Chewy.com's subscription service, and it was easy to just set up my shipments to meet the free shipment minimum. If I hadn't, the flat rate and shipping time are great. In contrast, the shipping on two USB-C adapters from Amazon was $8, more than the actual adapters. My last order with free shipping was placed Thursday, and hasn't shipped yet. The items I bought on eBay yesterday already shipped. Last edited by delph; 02-22-2016 at 03:44 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Amazon thumbs its nose at French ban on free shipping of books.	TCSimpson	News	54	07-20-2014 10:24 AM
Amazon Raises Free Shipping Minimum to $35	tubemonkey	News	84	11-02-2013 10:55 PM
France approves law stopping Amazon from shipping discounted books for free	JoHunt	News	137	10-12-2013 08:51 AM
Kindle price drop at Amazon, $359.00 free shipping	f00l	News	72	05-30-2008 02:00 PM

02-22-2016, 12:27 AM	#18
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	I get quite a bit that comes UPS to the post office and then is delivered via USPS to my home.

02-22-2016, 05:17 AM	#19
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,730 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	Didn't the Amazon stock lose 6 billion dollars on the market when the fourth quarter earnings report came out in January.

02-22-2016, 12:23 PM	#20
Rizla Member Retired Posts: 3,183 Karma: 11721895 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Nook STR (rooted) & Sony T2	Maybe Amazon can increase prices because they dominate the online retail market.

02-22-2016, 01:05 PM	#22
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,631 Karma: 204624552 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	I'd say the number of people in this very thread who say they'll shop elsewhere (and get many things cheaper) because of Amazon's higher shipping costs makes any claims that Amazon is raising prices because of their dominant market position look a bit silly and paranoid.

02-22-2016, 02:04 PM	#23
Purple Lady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,698 Karma: 16542228 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Device: Huawei MediaPad M5, LG V30, Boyue T80S, Nexus 7 LTE, K3 3G, Fire HD8	$49 seems awfully high to me. This past weekend I needed a Prime add on item and it was a pain to find items to total $25 because I already had an order a few days before. I added two items that I didn't need right now but that I use regularly to make up the difference. If I didn't have Prime I would have to find somewhere else to buy.

02-22-2016, 08:57 PM	#27
GA Russell Ticats win 6th straight. Posts: 7,695 Karma: 31487351 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	Nowadays, many new paperback books cost over $25. So I see readers ordering a book, and then adding various items to the cart since the shipping for the whole package will be free.

02-23-2016, 02:03 PM	#28
jswinden Nameless Being	I'll stick with Prime and the good service, return policy, error correction policy, et cetera. Every shipper is increasing prices even though fuel is now cheaper than has been in years. And most other internet sales companies charge about the same or more for shipping, and most don't have the customer service I get with Amazon. What I'm reading in this thread seems more from Amazon bashers and people who are of the spoiled child mindset and always throw a fit whenever a company raises their prices by one penny. No big deal to me. EVERYTHING under the Sun is going up in price--get used to it. As far as eBay goes, well I've been screwed over by sellers there so many times, and eBay has little to no inclination to do much about it. I use eBay only when it is the only option available. With Best Buy you get stripped down electronics wherein they made a deal with the manufacturer to keep the item model number the same as similar items sold elsewhere, but where the manufacturer lessens the specs on the Best Buy item. Pretty underhanded if you ask me. And Best Buy is notorious for selling returned items as though they are unopened new ones. That is pretty obvious when you turn on that new phone and it already has entries in the contacts list!