Anti-Hot Deal: Amazon's minimum free shipping now $49 for everything except books!

[DrPizza]

The overhead of running a B&M is huge and the retail markup is huge for that reason. Online places have less overhead and "free" shipping seems like a fair trade off.

They still have some overhead. Maintaining stock, collecting and packing isn't free. As I pointed out above, you think the retail markup on a candy bar is enough to cover the shipping costs of that candy bar for a place with less overhead?? Obviously, no. So, then we're in agreement that there must be some price point where it's not worth it to ship for free. Amazon set theirs at $49.

 

[pcslookout]

Once when I had Amazon Prime I ordered $12, $19, and $14 items all as separate orders.

 

[ponyo]

This. It's because 94% of people were tax cheats who didn't pay the tax owed that both screwed the honest people and made it needed for Amazon to collect the tax.

Amazon initial business model was built around tax collection avoidance. Amazon had 6-10% cost advantage over existing B&M retailers because of sales tax. They used that tax advantage to grow and later when states took Amazon to court to force them to collect the sales tax, the damage was already done and Amazon had grown and weakened/wiped out most of their B&M competition.

 

[Homerboy]

You can have my Prime when you pry it from my cold dead hands.

 

[OutHouse]

The overhead of running a B&M is huge and the retail markup is huge for that reason. Online places have less overhead and "free" shipping seems like a fair trade off.

Im pretty sure that the day to day cost of running a Amazon distro plant is a lot more than a Best Buy.

 

[pcslookout]

Im pretty sure that the day to day cost of running a Amazon distro plant is a lot more than a Best Buy.

Of course.

 

[Strk]

Amazon initial business model was built around tax collection avoidance. Amazon had 6-10% cost advantage over existing B&M retailers because of sales tax. They used that tax advantage to grow and later when states took Amazon to court to force them to collect the sales tax, the damage was already done and Amazon had grown and weakened/wiped out most of their B&M competition.

True, but technically you are supposed to report it on your taxes. There is a line for it.

 

[pcslookout]

Amazon should offer Prime without the streaming video and audio.

 

[Craig234]

im always amazed how online shoppers think they are entitled to have crap they buy mailed to them for free.

can anybody tell me why this silly mentality exist?

Basic sales issue. Customers always want cheaper, and sellers know that they get more sales when customers think they're getting cheaper.

It's sort of a lie told to someone who wants to hear it.

It's like the shopping channel sales pitches - they always have the format, value $500! Our price only $100! But buy today only $50! And order fast and get a second one free!

This sort of thing is a very well researched and established technique to break down buyer defenses.

They also know paying for shipping is an excuse not to order, so they remove it.

 

[Craig234]

Amazon initial business model was built around tax collection avoidance. Amazon had 6-10% cost advantage over existing B&M retailers because of sales tax. They used that tax advantage to grow and later when states took Amazon to court to force them to collect the sales tax, the damage was already done and Amazon had grown and weakened/wiped out most of their B&M competition.

I agree.

 

[Insomniator]

Prime is the way to go. I barely even go to stores anymore, even with getting taxed on amazon now. Even at the same price I would 100000% rather order online than go to some annoying store with a packed parking lot and a million idiots wandering around.

I've averaged 150 orders on Amazon each of the last two years.

 

[isekii]

I'm glad I got 3 years of prime from the Fire phone
Ended up costing me about $30 bucks total for 3 years.

 

[Craig234]

The price hike for Prime to $99 is annoying.

 

[SparkyJJO]

The funny thing about Amazon Prime is you'd think it would be in their best interest to ship things in as few of boxes as possible to minimize shipping costs. We use Amazon at work regularly and it boggles my mind how often they split up orders into multiple shipments despite coming from the same warehouse.

I think what takes the cake is we ordered 20 Logitech bluetooth tablet keyboards and they arrived each in their own separate box that each could have easily fit at least 5 in with decent packaging surrounding them

 

[videogames101]

There are people without Prime?

I had it for awhile, this year I realized I'd rather just go to a store anyway :thumbsup:

 

[XavierMace]

I think what takes the cake is we ordered 20 Logitech bluetooth tablet keyboards and they arrived each in their own separate box that each could have easily fit at least 5 in with decent packaging surrounding them

Yeah, it's not limited to just Amazon but packaging does make me laugh sometimes. Ordered a pair of Sandisk Cruiser Mini thumb drives. Came in a box that was like 12x15x4. You literally could have fit a hundred of those drives in the box.

 

[11thHour]

Amazon video sucks.

 

[Subyman]

I noticed their shipping doesn't seem to be as fast as it used to be. I ordered some protein a few weeks ago on Thursday night with prime two-day. I assumed it would be shipped on Friday and arrive on Monday. Nope. Shipped Monday for Tuesday delivery. I didn't need it ASAP, but I paid a decent chunk of money for the prime service. Seems like they aren't packaging orders as fast as they used to.

 

[dainthomas]

I had it for awhile, this year I realized I'd rather just go to a store anyway :thumbsup:

But then you have to get in your car and deal with idiot drivers. Then walk into the store and talk to idiot people.

Pass.

 

[Jeffg010]

You know what is funny is that you guys complain about the fee for prime but have no problem playing for Costco membership when you can go across the street and by the same crap.

 

[ponyo]

You know what is funny is that you guys complain about the fee for prime but have no problem playing for Costco membership when you can go across the street and by the same crap.

Costco is worth it. Amazon? It's nice but nonessential.

 

[Jeff7]

This should get Amazon's pricing back to where it needs to be. (about 1 minute in, in case that doesn't work.)

 

[ImpulsE69]

Many of you act like you never leave the house. Get out of your moms basements, or better yet, make her get your groceries.

 

[ImpulsE69]

This should get Amazon's pricing back to where it needs to be. (about 1 minute in, in case that doesn't work.)

Kept waiting for that robot to take the stance of dominance and kick that guys ass.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Just bought something off Amazon, figured I'd take advantage of free shipping before they remove it for Canada too. Bought a fish eye camera lens. It was also on sale so I saved $200.

Can't wait to play around with that. 18mm was just not quite wide enough for some of the shots I try to get. Should be fun in summer taking star shots with the fish eye.