Amazon upping cost of Prime

[esquared]

Didn't they just raise it?

Four years ago.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2018/04/26/amazon-raise-annual-prime-subscription-119/556028002/

 

[Thebobo]

Didn't realize that Amazon lets you separately subscribe to Prime Video for $8.99 per month. I only order about once a month so I will probably still save little with the increase in prime. But it seems like the're being a bit greedy here

 

[Viper GTS]

If you don't order much online Prime is clearly not intended for you. If you're like my household where Amazon or their subsidiaries get nearly all of your retail spending another $20 a year makes essentially zero difference - About 0.1% in my case.

If you've done the math and it doesn't work for you great, but don't for a moment think that that your experience is typical. I'd guess that everyone I know who pays for Prime is not going to blink at another $20 a year. Even the ones I'd consider casual at a few thousand a year.

Another thing - The dollar value threshold where Prime makes sense just for access to the Prime version of Chase's Amazon card is only $5950 a year. If you spend more than $5950 a year on Amazon or Whole Foods the Prime membership literally pays for itself in the 5% cash back vs the regular 3% card.

Viper GTS

 

[highland145]

Check your renewal dates. Last years was 1/2/18 and the notification date was 12/30/17....thanks for the heads up, Jeff.

And my welfare rate is only $72/yr. Like a boss.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

My membership isn't set to renew until Sept 2018. If I were to cancel it now (and get a pro-rated credit back), can I re-sign up at $99 for a full year to try and maximize my prime membership at a lower cost?

No - the best option is to turn off auto-renewal (so you can use your current membership as long as possible) - but buy a Prime membership gift now ($99) and redeem it after your prime membership expires.

 

[luv2liv]

first get people addicted. then slowly raise the price.
classic drug dealing tactic.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

If you don't order much online Prime is clearly not intended for you. If you're like my household where Amazon or their subsidiaries get nearly all of your retail spending another $20 a year makes essentially zero difference - About 0.1% in my case.

If you've done the math and it doesn't work for you great, but don't for a moment think that that your experience is typical. I'd guess that everyone I know who pays for Prime is not going to blink at another $20 a year. Even the ones I'd consider casual at a few thousand a year.

Another thing - The dollar value threshold where Prime makes sense just for access to the Prime version of Chase's Amazon card is only $5950 a year. If you spend more than $5950 a year on Amazon or Whole Foods the Prime membership literally pays for itself in the 5% cash back vs the regular 3% card.

Viper GTS

How do you spend $5,950 a year? Unless you're buying stuff for a business, I don't see how a typical household can do that...

Oh wait, nevermind I spent $4.7k last year

either way I'm going to heavily debate renewing. I just didn't seem to care when I previously just waited to fill my cart to $25. These days thats not hard because everything is getting more expensive.

first get people addicted. then slowly raise the price.
classic drug dealing tactic.

QFT

 

[highland145]

first get people addicted. then slowly raise the price.
classic drug dealing tactic.

Ask netflix how that worked out at my house but I don't disagree in general. Effing cable companies...

 

[TXHokie]

Don't call anything Prime offers as "free" since you paid for it.

Hey look, I just got free gas fill up after I hand over $40.

 

[KB]

I never buy anything under $35 so I never got prime, but always get free shipping. I expect more increases in the future. Amazon must grow every quarter or wall street will abandon them and Bezos won't be the richest anymore.

 

[Anubis]

BTW I'd probably pay $500 just so I dont have to leave the fucking house for Christmas gifts

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Not sure about this grandfathering thing because when I first signed up for Prime it was $79 and currently I'm paying $99 so I have no doubt that come renewel time it will be $119 IF I allowed that. When I would pay about the same for my Costco membership and get MORE back while I am spending more with them then Amazon can GTFO of my home.

 

[Viper GTS]

How do you spend $5,950 a year? Unless you're buying stuff for a business, I don't see how a typical household can do that...

Oh wait, nevermind I spent $4.7k last year

either way I'm going to heavily debate renewing. I just didn't seem to care when I previously just waited to fill my cart to $25. These days thats not hard because everything is getting more expensive.

QFT

If they are getting most of your spending it's easy to do. Living in the NYC metro area I have multiple distribution facilities in range for same-day delivery. Free same day + Amazon selection kills all the 'I need X on my way home from work tonight' because it will be sitting on my porch when I get home. I also have access to Amazon Fresh so it gets a lot of grocery type purchases too. Whole Foods is out of my way so I don't spend a lot there but still a thousand last year probably.

Viper GTS

 

[clamum]

Just read that this morning. Pfffft, buncha crap. The CFO says, "There's all kinds of new features we've continually added to the Prime program...it's a reflection of the cost value of the program," he said. Yeah, they have added a few things in the past several years since the last official price raise but if it's a buncha crap no one uses or cares about, so what? I use Prime Video and that's it (I don't really count my rare use of music for 20 minus via my Echo device). Those food-related things aren't available in my city (metro Detroit) and I'm not sure I'd use them anyway. I have an Amazon Store Card and an Amazon Rewards Visa through Chase but I'm not sure those are Prime-related.

I'll still be a subscriber but it's sure a bunch of shit considering how insanely successful the company has been.

 

[Kaido]

BTW I'd probably pay $500 just so I dont have to leave the house for Christmas gifts

Not gonna lie, I bought gifts on Amazon & had them wrap 'em to send out to my BIL's family this past Christmas. Zero effort on my part outside of picking out the gifts and everything arrived in a couple days in either gift bags or gift-wrapped with personalized messages. I think I'm going to do the exact same thing, but to my house this year

 

[Exterous]

Check your renewal dates. Last years was 1/2/18 and the notification date was 12/30/17....thanks for the heads up, Jeff.

And my welfare rate is only $72/yr. Like a boss.

Student rate is only $49 but will go to $59 it seems. A shame I don't have access to .edu email addresses....

 

[pete6032]

kinda sucks but at least they've been adding stuff to prime to increase the value proposition.

I agree they add media options that make prime more appealing, but at the same time a couple months ago they removed a number of benefits of Amazon Music and made Amazon Music mostly a paid service even though it used to be available 100% free to Prime members.

 

[pcslookout]

Good can't have a free lunch!

 

[highland145]

Student rate is only $49 but will go to $59 it seems. A shame I don't have access to .edu email addresses....

Off to get the kids email...thanks.

 

[pcslookout]

Back to the game of waiting till my cart total gets to 35 or whatever it is for free standard shipping.

Cancelling my membership at renewal unless there is some type of incentive. I almost did it last year, but my amex had an offer that lowered it substantially.

Actually no sign up for the monthly Prime when you need it.

 

[ponyo]

Free prime shipping is the only thing useful to me. It's nice to be able to order a book and not have to worry about the $35 minimum spending requirement and get it in 2-3 days. I just hope my sister renews again so I can keep piggybacking off the old grandfathered account. I pay for $120/yr for Costco executive membership. There's no way I would pay another $120/yr for Amazon Prime. Costco is far more useful to me and if I had to choose which one to pay and keep, it would be Costco.

 

[pcslookout]

Free prime shipping is the only thing useful to me. It's nice to be able to order a book and not have to worry about the $35 minimum spending requirement and get it in 2-3 days. I just hope my sister renews again so I can keep piggybacking off the old grandfathered account. I pay for $120/yr for Costco executive membership. There's no way I would pay another $120/yr for Amazon Prime. Costco is far more useful to me and if I had to choose which one to pay and keep, it would be Costco.

That why you order one thing at a time.

Don't order multiple things together.

 

[repoman0]

Student rate is only $49 but will go to $59 it seems. A shame I don't have access to .edu email addresses....

My GF and I were already going to start sharing one Amazon account next renewal. Think I'll pretend I went back for my PhD and bust out my lifetime .edu e-mail address from my university. $200 annually from us combined back to $60

 

[pcslookout]

My GF and I were already going to start sharing one Amazon account next renewal. Think I'll pretend I went back for my PhD and bust out my lifetime .edu e-mail address from my university. $200 annually from us combined back to $60

Good luck with that.

 

[Viper GTS]

My GF and I were already going to start sharing one Amazon account next renewal. Think I'll pretend I went back for my PhD and bust out my lifetime .edu e-mail address from my university. $200 annually from us combined back to $60

That is a terrible idea. Setup a household and share that way.

Viper GTS