Is Amazon Prime worth it?

The MC · 08-30-2012, 09:48 PM

Anybody here an Amazon Prime member? How exactly does it work? Are you allowed to rent as many books as you want? Is any book available for rent or only certain books?

Also, why is there a 'free two-day shipping' when it's just Kindle books? What is it being shipped that requires two days?

How has the experience been for you?

ucfgrad93 · 08-30-2012, 10:05 PM

I don't believe that it is for all books, and you can only get 1 per month.

This page should answer your questions about the Kindle Owners' Lending Library.

FizzyWater · 08-30-2012, 10:07 PM

Amazon Prime was originally rolled out as a way to save on shipping or not to have to "save up" orders to have enough to get the free SuperSaver shipping (for orders > $25).

They've added things TO it since then, like the 1 book per month library or steaming some of their videos.

If you order lots of stuff (physical stuff, not digital stuff), it's worth it, especially since it's 2-day shipping instead of eventually-shipping.

pidgeon92 · 08-30-2012, 10:12 PM

Two day free shipping is just that. In the US, I get two day shipping on any Amazon item that is listed as Prime. For me it is a huge plus. For people not in the US, it isn't a big incentive.

ucfgrad93 · 08-30-2012, 10:15 PM

I made a qualifying purchase using the Free Super Saver Shipping on August 21. The item was in stock, and I just got it today. It takes awhile, but it gets here.

Synergi · 08-30-2012, 10:27 PM

And 3.99 for one day shipping, and it use to be 6.99 for 1 day saturday deliveries, but I think it went up to 8.99.. thats still a bargain to get saturday deliveries. You can borrow one book a month, and you can stream Prime movies and TV shows. The free shipment is what does it for me. No taxes, and I don't have to spend time driving to pick it up, just have Amazon ship it.

Blossom · 08-31-2012, 02:57 AM

Prime is great when you're a student and you got less than 3 days to get a $170 textbook because of lazy professors didn't post the title in time. Amazon is great because they upgraded it to overnight for free.

The Streaming video library has really grown. We own a Roku so we can watch them on our TV. He's never used the Lending library option because he doesn't own a Kindle. I do.

peter12345 · 08-31-2012, 04:20 AM

I ordered something on bank holiday monday, and i go it tues morning.

I do not live in the USA and i do not know about any other benefits but I cannot complain

I do not know about the streaming option as I am non USA

but I am a member of LOVE FILM an Amazon company so I can watch almost anything, but I never use it.

HarryT · 08-31-2012, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

For people not in the US, it isn't a big incentive.

Why do you say that? The free next-day shipping we get with Prime in the UK is well worthwhile for me, given that these days I seem to do virtually all my shopping (except food) on Amazon. Outside the US, the free shipping is all that Prime is - we don't get the book lending, video, etc, but I regard it as worth every penny.

brandon7s · 08-31-2012, 06:54 AM

Amazon Prime is ridiculously awesome, for me. 2 day free shipping is VERY much worth it for me, since I tend to order on average of a package a week, and sometimes as many as 10 a month.

I've not taken advantage of any ebook perks to Prime, but for me the shipping perk is such a no brainer deal.

brandon7s · 08-31-2012, 06:55 AM

Double posted.

tubemonkey · 08-31-2012, 09:41 AM

Prime will cost you $79/ year or $6.58/ month. This is what you get:

Lending Library -- 1 book/ month
Prime Instant Videos -- unlimited viewing / selection smaller than Netflix
"free" 2-day shipping -- for eligible items / no minimum purchase

Which of those services will you use and is it worth $79/ year? Keep in mind that without Prime, free Super Saver Shipping requires a $25 minimum purchase. Otherwise, you'll either have to save up small orders or pay upwards of $5+ for standard shipping (3-5 business days); and even more for expedited shipping. I've had non-Prime free shipping orders take close to two weeks to reach me; and I live in Amazon's hometown.

So it comes down to how often you buy from Amazon, and if the eligible book and video selections are worth it to you.

jswinden · 08-31-2012, 11:06 AM

Amazon Prime is worth the $79 for the shipping discounts alone.

I've rarely used the so-called free video as most of the good stuff is for pay, and Amazon charges way too much compared to Netflix and Hulu. They have very little of interest to me among the free videos. Same with their book deals--not much that interests me. And that one free lent book per month is a joke. if you borrow a book that turns out to be total crap, you still have to wait 30 days to borrow another. IMHO, the free videos and books are a gimmick and not worth much.

TimW · 08-31-2012, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jswinden

Amazon Prime is worth the $79 for the shipping discounts alone.

I've rarely used the so-called free video as most of the good stuff is for pay, and Amazon charges way too much compared to Netflix and Hulu. They have very little of interest to me among the free videos. Same with their book deals--not much that interests me. And that one free lent book per month is a joke. if you borrow a book that turns out to be total crap, you still have to wait 30 days to borrow another. IMHO, the free videos and books are a gimmick and not worth much.

I signed up for Prime when it was still just free two-day shipping. For me, anything extra is just gravy. I would agree with you that KOLL and the free videos aren't worth $79 per year. Two day shipping definitely is. A few months ago, I ordered a dehumidifier one Friday afternoon. I paid an extra $3.99 and received it on Saturday morning...shipping from Arizona to Kentucky. Even if I had to pay the current rate of $8.99 extra for Saturday delivery, that's still pretty nice.

Barbara1955 · 08-31-2012, 11:27 AM

Prime can ONLY be purchsed thru a Credit Card!

08-30-2012, 09:48 PM	#1
The MC Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2012 Device: none	Is Amazon Prime worth it? Anybody here an Amazon Prime member? How exactly does it work? Are you allowed to rent as many books as you want? Is any book available for rent or only certain books? Also, why is there a 'free two-day shipping' when it's just Kindle books? What is it being shipped that requires two days? How has the experience been for you? Last edited by The MC; 08-30-2012 at 09:52 PM.

08-31-2012, 04:20 AM	#8
peter12345 Connoisseur Posts: 93 Karma: 498332 Join Date: Jun 2012 Device: 2 * K3 with 3G, Sony PRS-T1	I ordered something on bank holiday monday, and i go it tues morning. I do not live in the USA and i do not know about any other benefits but I cannot complain I do not know about the streaming option as I am non USA but I am a member of LOVE FILM an Amazon company so I can watch almost anything, but I never use it. Last edited by peter12345; 08-31-2012 at 04:23 AM. Reason: added Love film part - an extra paragraph

08-31-2012, 06:55 AM	#11
brandon7s Member Posts: 17 Karma: 498582 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Kindle 3	Double posted. Last edited by brandon7s; 09-04-2012 at 04:37 AM.

08-31-2012, 09:41 AM	#12
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,852 Karma: 158733736 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	Prime will cost you $79/ year or $6.58/ month. This is what you get: Lending Library -- 1 book/ month Prime Instant Videos -- unlimited viewing / selection smaller than Netflix "free" 2-day shipping -- for eligible items / no minimum purchase Which of those services will you use and is it worth $79/ year? Keep in mind that without Prime, free Super Saver Shipping requires a $25 minimum purchase. Otherwise, you'll either have to save up small orders or pay upwards of $5+ for standard shipping (3-5 business days); and even more for expedited shipping. I've had non-Prime free shipping orders take close to two weeks to reach me; and I live in Amazon's hometown. So it comes down to how often you buy from Amazon, and if the eligible book and video selections are worth it to you.

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08-30-2012, 10:05 PM	#2
ucfgrad93 Wizard Posts: 2,372 Karma: 9026681 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Colorado Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2nd Gen	I don't believe that it is for all books, and you can only get 1 per month. This page should answer your questions about the Kindle Owners' Lending Library.

08-30-2012, 10:07 PM	#3
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	Amazon Prime was originally rolled out as a way to save on shipping or not to have to "save up" orders to have enough to get the free SuperSaver shipping (for orders > $25). They've added things TO it since then, like the 1 book per month library or steaming some of their videos. If you order lots of stuff (physical stuff, not digital stuff), it's worth it, especially since it's 2-day shipping instead of eventually-shipping.

08-30-2012, 10:12 PM	#4
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	Two day free shipping is just that. In the US, I get two day shipping on any Amazon item that is listed as Prime. For me it is a huge plus. For people not in the US, it isn't a big incentive.

08-30-2012, 10:15 PM	#5
ucfgrad93 Wizard Posts: 2,372 Karma: 9026681 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Colorado Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2nd Gen	I made a qualifying purchase using the Free Super Saver Shipping on August 21. The item was in stock, and I just got it today. It takes awhile, but it gets here.

08-30-2012, 10:27 PM	#6
Synergi Addict Posts: 341 Karma: 4683770 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Kindle PW, iPadPro, Galaxy Note 5, 8 (tab) & Galaxy Tab S3	And 3.99 for one day shipping, and it use to be 6.99 for 1 day saturday deliveries, but I think it went up to 8.99.. thats still a bargain to get saturday deliveries. You can borrow one book a month, and you can stream Prime movies and TV shows. The free shipment is what does it for me. No taxes, and I don't have to spend time driving to pick it up, just have Amazon ship it.

08-31-2012, 02:57 AM	#7
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	Prime is great when you're a student and you got less than 3 days to get a $170 textbook because of lazy professors didn't post the title in time. Amazon is great because they upgraded it to overnight for free. The Streaming video library has really grown. We own a Roku so we can watch them on our TV. He's never used the Lending library option because he doesn't own a Kindle. I do.

08-31-2012, 06:54 AM	#10
brandon7s Member Posts: 17 Karma: 498582 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Kindle 3	Amazon Prime is ridiculously awesome, for me. 2 day free shipping is VERY much worth it for me, since I tend to order on average of a package a week, and sometimes as many as 10 a month. I've not taken advantage of any ebook perks to Prime, but for me the shipping perk is such a no brainer deal.

08-31-2012, 11:06 AM	#13
jswinden Nameless Being	Amazon Prime is worth the $79 for the shipping discounts alone. I've rarely used the so-called free video as most of the good stuff is for pay, and Amazon charges way too much compared to Netflix and Hulu. They have very little of interest to me among the free videos. Same with their book deals--not much that interests me. And that one free lent book per month is a joke. if you borrow a book that turns out to be total crap, you still have to wait 30 days to borrow another. IMHO, the free videos and books are a gimmick and not worth much.

08-31-2012, 11:27 AM	#15
Barbara1955 Non-Techy Posts: 4,455 Karma: 15499273 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WV---USA Device: Samsung Cell Phone & Amazon Fires & Kobo eReaders	Prime can ONLY be purchsed thru a Credit Card!

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