Amazon Prime

[albionmoonlight]

Other than the name, which makes me think of some sort of transformer covered in jungle foliage, it seems like a pretty good deal for people who buy a lot from Amazon.

Pay $79 and get free two day shipping on anything that your order from Amazon.com for a year.

[QuikSand]

I saw this, but quickly relized that nearly everything we order from Amazon (a pretty good deal, actually) gets sent with free "Super Saver" shipping already, which is often something like 3-5 days. I think we just aren't the right demographic.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I was soooooo expecting pics of large blonde women in this thread.

[WSUCougar]

http://www.popculturemadness.com/Video-Games/pics/Transformers/Optimus-Prime_400.jpg
http://www.smriti.com/photos/Trips/Brazil/Amazon/JungleHike/000AmazonJungleVines.jpg

[Raiders Army]

The cartoons nowadays...Optimus looked like he was going to transform into a truck, but he transformed into that vine??? :eek:

[WSUCougar]

It's not Optimus...it's his evil cousin, Amazon.

[cthomer5000]

Would be very interested to revist this thread nearly four years later. For me, prime has COMPLETELY changed the way I shop.

[cthomer5000]

Ok. I got this bitch out of the archive (thanks wade). as stated... would be very curious to hear some new thoughts on the service four years later.

[RainMaker]

Since we pay the highest sales tax in the country in my county, buying online saves me quite a few bucks. Amazon Prime is worth every penny and I don't know how it hasn't cost them more than it's worth.

[cthomer5000]

1. They sincerely seem to have the best price on damn near anything I am looking for.

2. When it's only going to be 2 days, i can easily hold off on something I might have gone to a brick and mortar location to buy that day.

3. Because they have great prices, but they also fluctuate regularly, they create a great recipe for checking their site regularly.

4. Because you're going to get whatever it is so damn quick, you start considering ordering just about anything from them.


I think this is truly one of the great marriages of benefit to user and seller. Amazon has succeeded into making me at least check their price for almost anything I buy. Im getting stuff really quickly, and wondering how they aren't taking a loss on my shipping.

[cthomer5000]

one negative: i often feel environmentally irresponsible when im in a phase of near-daily UPS deliveries of single items.

[Daimyo]

I order a ton from Amazon ranging from one-off (e.g. electronics, furniture) to routine (e.g. children's clothes, soap). I never got prime though because 95% of what I order ships for free with super saver and I get it all in 2-6 days as is.

I've often wondered what kinds of deals they must have with the shipping companies to be able to offer such cheap shipping to customers.

[cthomer5000]

Well, i think its pretty good insight into just how high the markups on most items are.

[RainMaker]

You can get Gillette razors from there for like $10 less than at the store.

[SirFozzie]

I love the fact that I can order a 49 pound chair, and get it shipped here next day for $3.99 (just did that)

[gstelmack]

I order a ton from Amazon ranging from one-off (e.g. electronics, furniture) to routine (e.g. children's clothes, soap). I never got prime though because 95% of what I order ships for free with super saver and I get it all in 2-6 days as is.

:+1:

Every now and then I need something last minute, but not enough to justify the $79 fee. I just pay shipping in those cases.

[cartman]

I ordered a trailer hitch from Amazon, and it shipped next day for $3.99. It was missing some parts, and they send another one out next day for free. That was worth the price for Prime right there.

[Subby]

I used the hell out of the free trial over Christmas. I loved it, but just wasn't sure I would get our money's worth during the rest of the year.

[lighthousekeeper]

I used the hell out of the free trial over Christmas. I loved it, but just wasn't sure I would get our money's worth during the rest of the year.

i got that free trial too - i need to look into how i cancel it before it's too late.

[samifan24]

Slickdeals ran a post last week detailing how to obtain a free 3 month trial of Prime. As far as I can tell, the deal is still active (http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1777176).

I had a free month's trial during Christmas and signed up for this free 3-month trial last week with no problems.

Additionally to stop Prime from auto-renewing at the end of a free trial you go to Your Account -> Settings -> Manage Prime Membership -> Click "Do Not Upgrade Automatically" near the top of the page.

[stevew]

Is there any way to set it up so thst you only search products from Amazon? I hate weeding through the sub vendors when I'm looking to get something that will ship FSSS.

[stevew]

Dola
Is this billed yearly in one chunk? Or like 7 a month.

[Wolfpack]

I have Prime, though I've thought about canceling it sometimes. We aren't heavy Amazon shoppers, but it's a tremendous asset when Christmas shopping. I didn't get everything done over Amazon, but I did shop and ship several things effortlessly to my parents' house in Charlotte right up to the 22nd without having to worry about shipping costs or whether it would get there on time. That alone probably made it worth it to me. (And I'm signed up until October of next year anyway, so maybe I should make more use of it now and again. :) )

[RainMaker]

Did you guys know you can add 4 "family members" to the plan? Basically can split it with someone you know. I've had my parents on mine for the last couple years.

[gstelmack]

Did you guys know you can add 4 "family members" to the plan? Basically can split it with someone you know. I've had my parents on mine for the last couple years.

I may have to rethink this...

[gstelmack]

Shared benefits with up to four family members living in the same household.

So this is one of those "wink-wink nudge-nudge" things that Amazon could shut down at any time?

[RainMaker]

So this is one of those "wink-wink nudge-nudge" things that Amazon could shut down at any time?
It's been going on for years without a hitch. Lot of people share it with others who live in completely different states. I honestly don't think Amazon cares as long as you are buying from them.

[gstelmack]

Cool, we may have to think about that strongly then.

[samifan24]

It's been going on for years without a hitch. Lot of people share it with others who live in completely different states. I honestly don't think Amazon cares as long as you are buying from them.

I was under the impression that you all had to have the same street address for Amazon to allow others on the account.

[Aylmar]

I was under the impression that you all had to have the same street address for Amazon to allow others on the account.

Nope. A buddy has an account that has a guy in PA, three in IL, and one guy in OK on it. SlickDeals.net occasionally has a thread with someone trying to fill spots in their Prime membership for a share of the yearly fee.

[stevew]

Wow, this service is evil. I'm on the 3 month trial, and I've already bought too much stuff. Where normally I'd find a good deal on a Blu Ray(40 Year Old Virgin for 10 bucks), I'd have to sit around and try to find other stuff to get it over $25 for the order for the free shipping. So invariably I'd end up not getting anything. Now it's just point, "one click."

[Samdari]

Since we pay the highest sales tax in the country in my county, buying online saves me quite a few bucks. Amazon Prime is worth every penny and I don't know how it hasn't cost them more than it's worth.

This has ended in NYS, and I expect it to end other places as well. Basically, NYS has said that since Amazon has affiliate partners in NY, they have a physical presence in NY and thus are required to collect sales tax on orders from NY. It was quite a shock to see sales tax on my first amazon order after moving here.

[DanGarion]

This has ended in NYS, and I expect it to end other places as well. Basically, NYS has said that since Amazon has affiliate partners in NY, they have a physical presence in NY and thus are required to collect sales tax on orders from NY. It was quite a shock to see sales tax on my first amazon order after moving here.

I signed up to the three month free trial last week (heck I think I had that years ago too) and it saved me major cash in just a week. I bought a couple baseball books, and then on Thursday our TV in the bedroom fell over. I ordered a new TV Thursday afternoon and paid $6.99 for Saturday delivery, that plus the amazing deal they had on it ($200 bucks under what I would have got it anywhere locally) and no sales tax saved me.

[stevew]

dunno if it still runs, but .edu addys could get free prime a few months ago. Assume it works for professors too.

[ColtCrazy]

My wife got Amazon prime this summer. She loves it because she's always pre-ordering books (often forgetting ones that she's ordered months in advance) so just from that stand point it pays for itself. We do quite a bit of other shopping on there too.

[MizzouRah]

Amazon is my #1 site to order stuff, plus they have the best used game system around.. I send them all my used games for credit.

[stevew]

dunno if it still runs, but .edu addys could get free prime a few months ago. Assume it works for professors too.

Yeah, just google "Amazon Student" and you'll probably just have to add the addy to your school mail's accepted senders list.

[stevew]

Has anyone noticed that 2 day shipping can easily turn into next day(at no extra cost?). Ordered something yesterday at like 1pm and it just arrived. Possibly it's cause regular 2day delivery would have fallen in a Saturday and that might cost more for amazon.

[DanGarion]

Has anyone noticed that 2 day shipping can easily turn into next day(at no extra cost?). Ordered something yesterday at like 1pm and it just arrived. Possibly it's cause regular 2day delivery would have fallen in a Saturday and that might cost more for amazon.

Oh yeah, all the time. It all depends on where it ships from.

[sabotai]

I'd say about half of my 2-day orders from Amazon get to me by the next day.

[Doug5984]

I love amazon prime, when my wife got it I wasn't sure how often we'd use it- but it's already easily paid for itself.

At work we ordered some shelves for our storage shed, these were BIG boxes, 5 of them. All free shipping, we also ordered one over night- big box, for $3.99- I don't see how they are making money on this service.

[stevew]

I almost ordered a kitchen hood vent for like 40 bucks, but didn't feel like painting it(was the wrong color, but 1/2 price of the color I needed). It's amazing that would have come shipped for free.

[MrBug708]

Amazon kills this site when I'm using my phone to browse. That one ad is a killer

[Logan]

Amazon kills this site when I'm using my phone to browse. That one ad is a killer

I thought maybe that was something on my end. Try to click a thread title on here? Go to Amazon!

[Kodos]

That happens to me too. So annoying.

[RainMaker]

Prime is the best. I too get 1-day shipping on a lot of items. I sometimes feel bad ordering something small through them. The other day I just needed a potato peeler.

It's worth mentioning if you didn't see it that Amazon just added a bunch of new stuff to their free Instant Video section. It includes a lot of shows from MTV, Nickelodean, Comedy Central, VH1, and TV Land. Not a ton of stuff, but a nice addition. Straners with Candy is one of the choices which is sweet.

[stevew]

Prime streaming is supposedly available via the PS3 very soon, if not already.

[Matthean]

My parents asked about wanting a Kindle for Christmas. I said no since I wanted something else. Now the idea of a Kindle has been stuck in my head, and now I'm seeing how well Amazon Prime, which I have, works with a Kindle Fire. Waiting to see what I get for my birthday since I didn't ask for anything.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Prime streaming is supposedly available via the PS3 very soon, if not already.

It's available.

[Mustang]

Prime streaming is supposedly available via the PS3 very soon, if not already.

You must have heard my wife taking. She just mentioned tonight that she wished it was available on our TV (PS3) upstairs.

[Mustang]

My parents asked about wanting a Kindle for Christmas. I said no since I wanted something else. Now the idea of a Kindle has been stuck in my head, and now I'm seeing how well Amazon Prime, which I have, works with a Kindle Fire.

We use our Kindle Fire way more than I would have ever guessed... enough free stuff with Prime that it keeps us busy.

[stevew]

Was One day delivery on Saturday always 8.99?

[Barkeep49]

Was One day delivery on Saturday always 8.99?
No.

[stevew]

Must be a new thing. I also see they're trying to bribe with a dollar of MP3 credit for you to skip the 2day now.

[Matthean]

Even Prime shipping cost more than normal slower shipping. It might not be as regular two day shipping, but you definitely aren't getting free two day shipping either.

[stevew]

Man, they finally bowed down to the man and started charging sales tax in PA.

[wade moore]

Huh?

[Swaggs]

Huh?

In many states, Amazon did not charge sales tax and it was up to the individual residents to report their non-taxed, internet purchased products on their state income tax forms (which, as you can imagine, was difficult to get folks to accurately report and pay).

They started doing it in WV just a few years ago.

[Philliesfan980]

I'm a PA resident as well, and noticed that I was charged sales tax on my order yesterday.

I always thought the internet rules around sales tax (granted, this does not address the use tax concern), was if the business had presence (this was generally defined if they had a shipping location in the state I believe) in the state, they would charge sales tax. If they didn't - they wouldn't.

I'm wondering if they opened up a shipping location in PA?

[Ksyrup]

I'm dealing with a couple of tax issues for our business, one of which is a letter we received from Washington state detailing their legislative change to tax nexus rules for paying business and occupation tax in the state. One of the standards is sales exceeding $250K (no physical presence necessary). It wouldn't surprise me to see them extend these kinds of laws to collection of sales tax.

[Logan]

I'm a PA resident as well, and noticed that I was charged sales tax on my order yesterday.

I always thought the internet rules around sales tax (granted, this does not address the use tax concern), was if the business had presence (this was generally defined if they had a shipping location in the state I believe) in the state, they would charge sales tax. If they didn't - they wouldn't.

I'm wondering if they opened up a shipping location in PA?

They may have, as they're expanding heavily in the hopes of soon being able to offer same day shipping.

NY was one of, if not the, first states to charge tax to its residents on Amazon purchases and at the time there was no shipping center in state. Comes from pressure from the B&Ms who were already getting killed by Amazon on price. Having to deal with charging sales tax was too much. Been maybe 3 years now? It sucks, but it is what it is.

[QuikSand]

The sales tax on internet vendors has gotten increasingly complicated - starting with companies like Amazon engaging in a variety of "affiliate' relationships with retailers and other businesses in multiple states, but not directly maintaining a physical presence there. Recently, it appears that Amazon has decided to play ball and become a collector of taxes in places where they have been getting pushback. (Great oversimplification of a complicated issue there)

And by and large, states with a sales tax generally have an accompanying "use tax" that works the same way but on purchases made elsewhere and brought into the state. So, whether it's railroad ties, furniture, or your copy of 50 Shades, technically you owe the "sales tax" on it, regardless of whether the seller collected it on the state's behalf. Obviously this is a system that has massive leakage for individual consumers, thus the widespread (but technically mistaken) perception that there is no tax on internet and some catalog orders.

A weird coalition, mostly led by "local business" interests, are pushing for Congress to change tax laws to apply sales taxes, in some fashion, to all remote purchases. Even a fair number of anti-tax types see this as a fair step, to avoid the unlevel playing field (a reliably potent anecdote in political storytelling) where the faceless, distant company has an advantage over the local folks right here in my district.