Amazon Prime -- Anyone use it?

Enough · Post by **Enough** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 8:47 pm

How about no drone delivery research programs and we keep it the same price?

msteelers · Post by **msteelers** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 8:48 pm

I'm probably in the minority. I don't have netflix, so I watch amazon almost every day.

msteelers · Post by **msteelers** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 8:49 pm

Enough wrote:How about no drone delivery research programs and we keep it the same price?

Crazy talk.

Teggy · Post by **Teggy** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 10:49 pm

Honestly, I probably wouldn't bat an eye at that increase. I'm too addicted. $2-$3 more per month isn't going to bother me.

I haven't even taken advantage of the lending library yet.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 11:16 pm

I've been a Prime member for years, never watched a movie on it, the one time I thought I was getting a free Prime Kindle book I was charged $3. I have Netflix for DVDs only, as they (nor Amazon I'm sure) stream anything I'm interested in watching.

gilraen · Post by **gilraen** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 11:21 pm

I read a few Kindle books from their lending library but I'm now so far behind on my reading, I haven't looked at it in a while. I only watch videos on Prime occasionally - if it's not available on Netflix or if I'm really bored at work (I work graveyard shifts, and the web filter blocks Netflix).
I do love the free 2-day shipping but if they raise the annual fee above $100, I'll probably ditch it.

Freezer-TPF- · Post by **Freezer-TPF-** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 11:59 am

Going above $99 would probably be a mistake. Perhaps they are floating the $40 increase potential to make the inevitable $20 increase easier to take.

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 12:01 pm

Freezer-TPF- wrote:Going above $99 would probably be a mistake. Perhaps they are floating the $40 increase potential to make the inevitable $20 increase easier to take.

That's my guess--it's more of a 'what if we did this' sort of thing so they can gauge reaction. Based on the responses I've seen, moving to $99 would not phase a lot of people.

Scraper · Post by **Scraper** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 12:03 pm

Jeff V wrote:I've been a Prime member for years, never watched a movie on it, the one time I thought I was getting a free Prime Kindle book I was charged $3. I have Netflix for DVDs only, as they (nor Amazon I'm sure) stream anything I'm interested in watching.

Here's the complete list of things Netflix and Amazon don't stream when combined:

1. HBO programming.
2. Live Sports.
3. Porn.

So witch one of those are you wanting them to add?

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 12:05 pm

Scraper wrote:Here's the complete list of things Netflix and Amazon don't stream when combined:

1. HBO programming.
2. Live Sports.
3. Porn.
4. 95% of television shows released in the past 365 days.
5. 90% of television shows released in the past 3 years.
6. 98% of movies released in the past 365 days.
7. 90% of movies released in the past 3 years.

So witch one of those are you wanting them to add?

FTFY.

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 12:08 pm

I order from amazon 58 times in 2013. I am not giving up Prime.

Well I suppose there is a point where I would go back to free shipping. I'm not paying $300 for prime, but I am not sure where the line is.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 12:09 pm

That might be one area they could leverage a bit better. Amazon has been doing a great job (IMHO) of making sure more current movies and TV shows are available for viewing -- but as part of a paid rental or ownership package. I understand they have license agreements to deal with, but above and beyond letting me watch every episode of Team Umizoomi S2 for free, maybe giving me a bit of a discount on renting or purchasing more current titles as a Prime member. Alternative, give me a monthly $5 credit towards rentals or purchases. Maybe the same for Kindle.

Carpet_pissr · Post by **Carpet_pissr** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 1:24 pm

Smoove_B wrote:That might be one area they could leverage a bit better. Amazon has been doing a great job (IMHO) of making sure more current movies and TV shows are available for viewing -- but as part of a paid rental or ownership package. I understand they have license agreements to deal with, but above and beyond letting me watch every episode of Team Umizoomi S2 for free, maybe giving me a bit of a discount on renting or purchasing more current titles as a Prime member. Alternative, give me a monthly $5 credit towards rentals or purchases. Maybe the same for Kindle.

+1
There is so much overlap with Netflix, I never use the streaming part of the Prime deal. Other incentives you listed would be much more interesting for me personally.

I am already at the point to where I barely agree to continue to renew Prime, even at current rates. If they go up even a bit, I will cancel. It's just too rarely that I need something in 2 days, vs. 3-5.

naednek · Post by **naednek** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 2:11 pm

coopasonic wrote:I order from amazon 58 times in 2013. I am not giving up Prime.

Well I suppose there is a point where I would go back to free shipping. I'm not paying $300 for prime, but I am not sure where the line is.

Rookie

I'm at 118 for 2013

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 2:16 pm

This is fun...

1/2014 - 4
2013 - 91
2012 - 84 - Prime membership began 1/2012
2011 - 43
2010 - 28
2009 - 21
2008 - 20
2007 - 16
2006 - 11
2005 - 9
2004 - 16
2003 - 8
2002 - 9
2001 - 7
2000 - 4
1999 - 15
1998 - 3

First order - 11/30/98 - '50 Great College Drinking Games' book, 'Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery' DVD, 'Uncle John's Indispensable Guide to the Year 2000' book, 'Brass Attitude' CD by Maynard Ferguson.
Total orders - 389

Good times.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 2:41 pm

Did you actually count all those, or is there a handy summary somewhere?

Personally, as I've mentioned before, Prime is a money saver for me, and likely would be, even at $100.

As I live in such a small town, specialty shops mean a 60+ mile round trip (and by 'speciality shop', I mean anything you can't get at the grocery store.) If it saves me just one trip a month, I save more than the current fee in gas money (and time.) It currently saves me more than that, and gives me access to all sorts of things that just aren't available around here even if I do drive - unless I want to go to Indy, which is more a 200 mile round trip.

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 2:43 pm

Blackhawk wrote:Did you actually count all those, or is there a handy summary somewhere?

Your Account --> Your Orders --> # is next to the drop-down time-frame selector.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 2:49 pm

Zaxxon wrote:
Scraper wrote:Here's the complete list of things Netflix and Amazon don't stream when combined:

1. HBO programming.
2. Live Sports.
3. Porn.
4. 95% of television shows released in the past 365 days.
5. 90% of television shows released in the past 3 years.
6. 98% of movies released in the past 365 days.
7. 90% of movies released in the past 3 years.

So witch one of those are you wanting them to add?
FTFY.

I would be surprised if they were anywhere close to 10% of movies released in the last 30 years. In any case, Hollywood blockbusters comprise a trivial fraction of my viewing habits (which are mostly foreign movies).

The Meal · Post by **The Meal** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 2:55 pm

Fun indeed...

Year - Orders
2001 - 1
2002 - 29
2003 - 13
2004 - 21
2005 - 17
2006 - 46 Prime Enabled (to current)
2007 - 25
2008 - 26
2009 - 108
2010 - 86
2011 - 20
2012 - 27
2013 - 46
2014 - 6
TOT - 471

It's funny to watch the numbers shrink and swell considering whether I was employed at the time...

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 2:59 pm

1998 - 6
1999 - 17
2000 - 17
2001 - 35
2002 - 9
2003 - 7
2004 - 5
2005 - 5
2006 - 3
2007 - 15
2008 - 18 -- Started Prime in August
2009 - 26
2010 - 30
2011 - 27
2012 - 23
2013 - 25
2014 - 0

I guess I'm not quite Bezos' bitch like Zax, but things have ramped up a lot since Prime.

Carpet_pissr · Post by **Carpet_pissr** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 3:02 pm

Blackhawk wrote:Did you actually count all those, or is there a handy summary somewhere?

Personally, as I've mentioned before, Prime is a money saver for me, and likely would be, even at $100.

As I live in such a small town, specialty shops mean a 60+ mile round trip (and by 'speciality shop', I mean anything you can't get at the grocery store.) If it saves me just one trip a month, I save more than the current fee in gas money (and time.) It currently saves me more than that, and gives me access to all sorts of things that just aren't available around here even if I do drive - unless I want to go to Indy, which is more a 200 mile round trip.

I don't get it. How does having Prime save you money. Your paragraph makes more sense (to me) if you had said "ordering on Amazon is a money saver for me".
But paying just to get those things faster....?

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 3:08 pm

Carpet_pissr wrote:
Blackhawk wrote:Did you actually count all those, or is there a handy summary somewhere?

Personally, as I've mentioned before, Prime is a money saver for me, and likely would be, even at $100.

As I live in such a small town, specialty shops mean a 60+ mile round trip (and by 'speciality shop', I mean anything you can't get at the grocery store.) If it saves me just one trip a month, I save more than the current fee in gas money (and time.) It currently saves me more than that, and gives me access to all sorts of things that just aren't available around here even if I do drive - unless I want to go to Indy, which is more a 200 mile round trip.
I don't get it. How does having Prime save you money. Your paragraph makes more sense (to me) if you had said "ordering on Amazon is a money saver for me".
But paying just to get those things faster....?

If the average shipping charge for orders was $10, then I spent $75 last year, received $250 worth of shipping, for a net savings of $175. That the stuff also comes fast (second day) is a bonus. If you figure the cost of always ordering 2nd day, the savings would be several times that amount.

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 3:10 pm

but 2 day is a luxury. As long your order meets the minimum, free is there any time prime is (I am not sure if that is true for amazon fulfillment).

Chaz · Post by **Chaz** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 3:13 pm

Wow, going through my order history is like being on "this is your life".

I can't believe how much I used to be willing to pay for HD-DVDs and blurays. And all the launch day games. SO MANY FULL PRICE GAMES! What was I thinking?

Carpet_pissr · Post by **Carpet_pissr** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 3:13 pm

coopasonic wrote:but 2 day is a luxury. As long your order meets the minimum, free is there any time prime is (I am not sure if that is true for amazon fulfillment).

this

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 3:14 pm

coopasonic wrote:but 2 day is a luxury. As long your order meets the minimum, free is there any time prime is (I am not sure if that is true for amazon fulfillment).

I'd say that only about half my orders meet the $25 minimum threshold for free shipping.

Reliable 2-day delivery is a decision maker for me a lot of the time too, not merely a luxury.

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 3:20 pm

LawBeefaroni wrote:
coopasonic wrote:but 2 day is a luxury. As long your order meets the minimum, free is there any time prime is (I am not sure if that is true for amazon fulfillment).
I'd say that only about half my orders meet the $25 minimum threshold for free shipping.

Reliable 2-day delivery is a decision maker for me a lot of the time too, not merely a luxury.

The line is $35 now.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 3:22 pm

coopasonic wrote:
LawBeefaroni wrote:
coopasonic wrote:but 2 day is a luxury. As long your order meets the minimum, free is there any time prime is (I am not sure if that is true for amazon fulfillment).
I'd say that only about half my orders meet the $25 minimum threshold for free shipping.

Reliable 2-day delivery is a decision maker for me a lot of the time too, not merely a luxury.
The line is $35 now.

Ah, so even less.

wonderpug · Post by **wonderpug** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 3:26 pm

The free 2-day shipping does more than just make it quick and easy to get a particular shipment, though. It makes it so you can just buy freely buy things on Amazon without shipping cost or shipping speed even entering the equation. "Huh. I'm kind of low on keurig coffee." A few clicks and less than 30 seconds and now I'm going to have keurig coffee in 2 days.

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 3:35 pm

wonderpug wrote:The free 2-day shipping does more than just make it quick and easy to get a particular shipment, though. It makes it so you can just buy freely buy things on Amazon without shipping cost or shipping speed even entering the equation. "Huh. I'm kind of low on keurig coffee." A few clicks and less than 30 seconds and now I'm going to have keurig coffee in 2 days.

Exactly. The 2-day timeframe is a bonus. The real value is in being able to order nearly anything you need with no order limits or shipping charges.

Jeff V wrote:I guess I'm not quite Bezos' bitch like Zax, but things have ramped up a lot since Prime.

Hey, our local edible arrangement has the 'Bezos bitch' title over me by a fair margin.

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 3:44 pm

I am not checking but I would guess 90% or more of my amazon orders are $35 or more.

===

OK I just glanced over the last couple dozen orders of 2013... I'm wrong. I place lots of smaller orders. Prime makes you blind!

Carpet_pissr · Post by **Carpet_pissr** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 3:51 pm

Zaxxon wrote:
wonderpug wrote:The free 2-day shipping does more than just make it quick and easy to get a particular shipment, though. It makes it so you can just buy freely buy things on Amazon without shipping cost or shipping speed even entering the equation. "Huh. I'm kind of low on keurig coffee." A few clicks and less than 30 seconds and now I'm going to have keurig coffee in 2 days.
Exactly. The 2-day timeframe is a bonus. The real value is in being able to order nearly anything you need with no order limits or shipping charges.

I guess I have so much in my "saved for later" area of the cart (and I buy so much from Amazon, and so frequently), that I never had a problem getting to the min. for free shipping (but I will admit, that new, higher $35 minimum makes a big difference).

Before I had Prime (currently in my second year), if I was close to the minimum, I would just add a low value item in my "saved for later' list that would put me over the top. Or a staple that I know I would use (paper towels, TP, Kleenex, toothpaste, etc). I think that's also a lot easier for me to do with a youngish family of five. There is ALWAYS something I can add (diapers, wipes, etc.) that is needed, and will be used (as opposed to some filler I don't really need just to hit the minimum)

wonderpug · Post by **wonderpug** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 3:53 pm

How long does the non-Prime free shipping usually take to get to you?

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 4:01 pm

It was usually about a week to 9 days for me, mostly because they wouldn't ship for 3-4 days after the roder was placed... then TX decided to fight over taxes and lost their warehouses... then we started paying taxes anyway.

Before they started holdings orders to ship I would get free shipping packages next day or the day after.

Carpet_pissr · Post by **Carpet_pissr** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 4:06 pm

wonderpug wrote:How long does the non-Prime free shipping usually take to get to you?

I don't know now, but I do remember right before I signed up for Prime, that things were NOTICEABLY slower than they had been in getting to me. Dunno if that was by design (to "urge" people to sign up for Prime) or not though.

naednek · Post by **naednek** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 4:26 pm

2003 1 order placed
2004 7 orders placed
2005 5 orders placed
2006 11 orders placed
2007 4 orders placed
2008 6 orders placed
2009 8 orders placed
2010 36 orders placed
2011 98 orders placed
2012 65 orders placed
2013 118 orders placed

Had 1 kid in 2010.
2 starting at the end of 2012.

Ya that's a lot of diapers in 2013

wonderpug · Post by **wonderpug** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 4:32 pm

Carpet_pissr wrote:
wonderpug wrote:How long does the non-Prime free shipping usually take to get to you?
I don't know now, but I do remember right before I signed up for Prime, that things were NOTICEABLY slower than they had been in getting to me. Dunno if that was by design (to "urge" people to sign up for Prime) or not though.

If the free shipping wasn't too slow, I could see myself potentially being ok with going Primeless again. Despite my keurig coffee example above, I find myself trying to group my shipments anyhow because it feels so wasteful to do a bunch of little ones, despite not costing me any extra.

But then again, when I'm comparing costs I need to factor in gas costs for visiting brick & mortar stores. If I want a release-day game from a local store instead of Amazon, my nearest Best Buy is about a 25 mile round trip. A gallon of gas as a 'shipping' cost, plus the time out of my day it takes?

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 4:42 pm

Yeah, people tend to glaze over the cost to go out and get something 'manually'. Aside from the hard-to-quantify cost of your time (annoyance, if you prefer not to view your time as a cost), it's not cheap. I generally use $0.50/mile. Have to drive a mile each way to the hardware store for a gromit? Add two bucks to the cost of the gromit. Make one extra trip to the grocery store a mile away each week? Toss $50 down the drain each year.

Efficiency adds up.

Z-Corn · Post by **Z-Corn** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 4:45 pm

I wouldn't mind if they raised the annual Prime price IF they got rid of that new "Add-on Item" designation. THAT has been pissing me off lately...

naednek · Post by **naednek** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 4:53 pm

Z-Corn wrote:I wouldn't mind if they raised the annual Prime price IF they got rid of that new "Add-on Item" designation. THAT has been pissing me off lately...

ya, that's horrible.