Amazon to raise Prime membership in US to $119 from $99 effective May 11, 2018

[ecstatic]

The annual price of an Amazon Prime membership in the US is going up by 20 percent.

Amazon finance chief Brian Olsavsky said during an earnings call with analysts Thursday night that his company will hike Prime's fee to $119 a year, from $99, on May 11. The new price will apply to existing Prime members' renewals starting June 16. If your regular renewal is after June 16, you won't be allowed to prepay for another year at the currently lower rate, an Amazon spokeswoman said.

That increase is only the second time Amazon has increased the annual Prime membership since it was first introduced in 2005, with the company in 2014 raising the price to $99 from $79.

Despite those few increases, the boost to Prime's fee -- particularly above the psychologically significant $100 level -- could threaten future renewals and new Prime customers. Prime is one of Amazon's most important businesses, helping build loyal, repeat customers who tend to spend about twice as much with Amazon than non-Prime shoppers.

https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-to-raise-prime-membership-in-us-to-119-from-99/

I think I'm done. The handling of this increase feels like a slap in the face. I get that dump45 cost them billions, but that's not my fault. Besides, didn't they also get a huge tax cut???? I don't really order much these days due to concerns about package theft or other hassles. The shipping is often more than 2 days. I am not really entangled in their other "benefits." How about you?

57 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	I will keep membership
	40 (70%)
	I'm ending membership
	7 (12%)
	I've never been a member, and never will
	5 (9%)
	I was thinking about joining, but not anymore
	2 (4%)
	Other
	3 (5%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[manor321]

1. Dropped it at $99

I dropped it when they raised it to $99. I don't need it.

[quartz007]

2. A sucker is born every day!

Amazon Prime delivery sucks. I live in a 24 condo 3 floor building. UPS & FEDEX & USPS will leave the item at my door on 3rd floor. Amazon Prime just drops them off at building entrance!

[Ferrets are Cool]

9. Please explain your post. UPS, FedEx and USPS are the carriers

that deliver Amazon Prime to my door. How does yours get there if not by one of those 3?

[quartz007]

24. I wondered exactly that

and am looking at the box delivered just today, and there is no label showing either Fedex, UPS or USPS had anything to do with it. It just says shipped by "Amazon Prime".

As I said before, those 3 carriers bring it to the 3rd floor and leave it right by my main entrance door.

[ecstatic]

37. Go to Amazon's website and view your Order's tracking info.

Even if the package has already arrived, you can click Track Package and then "See All Updates," which will show exactly how it was delivered.

[quartz007]

42. I will do that

but first the bitch (my female dog) needs to go out to pee.

[Submariner]

105. Amazon fulfillment centers deliver in their own trucks

UPS, FedEx and USPS deliver when my ordered item comes from out of state, but items like a coffee maker I just ordered came on the local Boston Amazon fulfillment were delivered in the Amazon truck with same day delivery.

[Iggo]

13. But you still use it, eh?

[quartz007]

25. Negative...

I bought the item on eBay. Had no control over which delivery service they would use.

[Iggo]

58. You ordered something from eBay and Amazon delivered it?

Not the weirdest thing I've heard.

[Captain Stern]

62. No offense, but I think you're confused as to what Amazon Prime is. n/t

[quartz007]

70. No offense taken since...

I have never bought anything using Amazon Prime in my entire life of 78 years.

This item was bought on eBay and arrived in a large cardboard box and only name on the labels is "Amazon Prime". No labels present showing UPS or Fedex or USPS had anything to do with it. May be Amazon Prime uses some other delivery service, unknown to me.

My main complain is the delivery person left the package on 1st floor near the main entrance, and I live in a condo on 3rd floor. I would never have found that package since nothing was ever delivered to me near the building entrance.

The 3 services I use (UPS, Fedex or USPS) ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS leave packages at my front door on 3rd floor.

I am filing a complain with the vendor on eBay for arranging delivery through Amazon Prime.

[Blue_Adept]

72. Uh, you realize that people re-use Amazon packaging to reship things?

All my Amazon Prime boxes get stacked in a pile and when I sell stuff on ebay or send things to friends, I use those boxes.

If you're 78, you're just not aware of what's going on here and are likely going to have someone trying to explain it to you because what you're saying is simply not what happened.

[quartz007]

74. In this case, there are only 2 labels on the box

and both show Amazon Prime Tracking numbers.

I used that tracking number to inquire with UPS, Fedex & USPS and all 3 said the tracking number is not recognizable in their system. The first 3 letters in the tracking number are TBAxxxx... which none of the above use. I googled the tracking number and even Google has no data on it.

I buy and sell on eBay regularly, and am quite familiar with all
3 above delivery services.

It is great to be 78, and finally be able to break my age on the 18 hole golf course, occasionally. I am in perfect health, require zero medications, have zero pain anywhere in my body! Just had a comprehensive physical, my EKG was very good, PSA was normal, blood sugar was normal. My secret is walking 6 miles during each round of golf 3 times a week pushing the golf cart on a fairly hilly course.

Note to all seniors: Exercise is the best medicine!

[Blue_Adept]

75. Again, if it was something you purchase on ebay, the vendor re-used an amazon prime box to ship it

That's ALL it is.

I've got a big stack of Amazon Prime boxes. I reused them regularly. Some vendors/people are better about removing labels than others.

[quartz007]

90. I can easily agree it could be a re-used box

Because I have done that myself over 100 times for shipping my sold items on eBay. I have sold my used golf clubs on eBay every year because I buy new clubs every year. Golf is my main hobby. When I get new clubs shipped to me, I save those boxes and then use them to ship my used clubs.

But here is the difference. When I ship my clubs, I ALWAYS BUY A SHIPPING LABEL from either UPS or FEDEX or USPS.
And that label is pasted on the shipping box.

For any item to get shipped, IT MUST HAVE A VALID shipping label preferably with a valid tracking number. In the current situation, there is no such label from those 3 services. Since the seller is located hundreds of miles away, I am certain they did not drive here themselves to drop off the package using a previously used box from Amazon Prime.

Anyway, to end this discussion, I did stumble onto my package, so no harm done, but I will give a very bad feedback to the seller on eBay for using careless delivery system.

[quartz007]

92. Please read post #84

It vindicates my thinking.

[tammywammy]

93. You orders from eBay and the seller there ordered it off Amazon.

That's how your package was delivered by Amazon. The eBay seller purchased whatever they sold you off Amazon and put in your delivery address. The eBay seller was just a middleman for a purchase from Amazon.

[quartz007]

94. Yap, the seller drop shipped using Amazon

But I had a long discussion above with someone who thought I was delusional about Amazon shipping directly. Post #84 clears up the fog, since I now know Amazon is experimenting with Uber style delivery system by individual private drivers. And it indeed sucks based on how they delivered my item. I may be 78, but not yet senile.

[Bluesaph]

99. It's probably a drop shipper

People make a career out of drop shipping. What you do is find an item on Amazon. You post the item on eBay for a higher price. When someone buys it off of you on eBay you go to your amazon prime and order it drop shipped to the purchaser’s address.

Local amazon warehouses have their own delivery service. Mine here in CA is only about a 20 minute drive to the main Amazon warehouses.

Hope this clears up everyone’s Confusion.

EXAMPLE: Find toaster oven on Amazon for $12. List it on eBay for $15. Somone bids on it and pays you $15. Go into your Amazon and purchase it drop shipped to eBay customer’s home for free. You just made $3 and never left your house.

People do this all day long and make thousands of $$$ per month.

[torius]

115. That's more arbitrage, not drop shipping.

Drop shippers actually purchase items, usually in bulk, and pay to store them at Amazon's warehouses and use Amazon fulfillment. Drop shippers have to spend money up front. You are the seller of it though you do not do the fulfillment. Some people have their own products manufactured. Some people manage to use other boxes so that people will not think it came from Amazon. Arbitrage is simpler--that's when you post an item on one site, such as Ebay or Craigslist, for a higher price then send it through Amazon or another site.

[Tavarious Jackson]

55. $12.00 a month is still worth it

I spend about $600.00 a month on groceries and household supplies so $12 a month is nothing for free shipping, free movies, free reading, audio books etc.. Absolutely worth it to me.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

19. Amazon Prime doesnt deliver packages.

They come via USPS mostly, UPS as well. So, cool story.

[Ferrets are Cool]

27. ...

[quartz007]

95. Wrong! Please read post #84 before

premature celebration.

[quartz007]

28. I had several packages come through UPS & Fedex

which deliver the package to local USPS and then USPS actually delivers it to my address. But in those instances, UPS or FEDEX has a label on the box identifying the origin. In this case there is no identifier except "Amazon Prime".

SO my best guess is Amazon delivered it to local USPS. But like I explained in my previous post, the package is always left at my front door on 3rd floor, not on 1st floor main building entrance, as was the case today. Actually my neighbor picked it up from 1st floor and knocked on my door and handed me the package. His package was also left on 1st floor with mine, and his condo unit is on 3rd floor like mine.

[ecstatic]

34. I would complain. That's not cool!

And like you, it's the shipping companies that have kind of ruined the experience for me lately. UPS is the worst. I'm having a lot better luck with the US Post office.

[displacedtexan]

65. You didn't fill in the delivery instructions box?

Not only can you give delivery instructions on where exactly to deliver your oackages, but you can also request that they take a picture of the delivered package that shows your door or porch clearly.

As for Amazon Prime being printed on the box, track your package through the email confirmation link and you'll see exactly which company will be delivering your items, where they are on the route, and what time they've been delivered to your door.

Do a little research on the Amazon site. There's a ton of information on deliveries there.

[quartz007]

73. I buy mostly on eBay (375+ items so far)

and eBay already has my delivery address, so I never need to include delivery instructions. In the past, either UPS or Fedex drops off at my front door on 3rd floor. If it comes via USPS, they will leave it in my locked mail-box (with a key to open the large mail box if package will not fit in my regular mail-box).

In this case, it was also my neighbor's packages dropped off with mine in a location near main entrance to our building. I would have never thought to look there for packages. My neighbor was nice enough to knock on my door and hand me the package.

The eBay seller is getting a bad feedback from me for using Amazon Prime, which are the only labels plastered on package box.

[displacedtexan]

100. I think your issue is with ebay sellers using Amazon Fulfillment shipping

The delivery instructions would have to be requested by your ebay seller. By the way, if your ebay seller is using amazon to drop ship, it's against amazon's rules and can get them banned.

[eleny]

84. We get a number of Amazon packages delivered in mini vans with an Amazon logo on the side

They also deliver on Sundays. Occasionally the deliveries are by people driving private vehicles.

I have a partial Prime membership through family. They have Prime and can gift four partial memberships to others. No books or videos but free shipping which I greatly appreciate.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

85. You are one of few...

Very few cities is Amazon testing it's own delivery service in.

[eleny]

86. We're just west of Denver

[Dr Hobbitstein]

87. Here in Central Florida, it's mostly USPS and UPS delivering Amazon packages...

I know we have a distro center in Orlando, but they don't seem to be doing their own courier service as of now.

[eleny]

89. We're often given the option to pick up our items ourselves

They call them "Lockers" where Amazon will deliver the item(s) instead of to our home address. That option is offered during checkout. I've never done that. But I can see if we were out of town on vacation it would be convenient if Lockers are located all around the country.

[quartz007]

96. UPS & Fedex offer the same option as well

You can request them to hold package at their store of your choice. I do that when I will not be home all day and expecting an expensive item delivery.

[eleny]

97. I didn't know this, thx!

[crazycatlady]

103. Lockers are located throughout the country

I've seen then at (now Amazon owned) Whole Foods as well as outside several convenience stores.

I use these for returning stuff to Amazon so I don't have to pay return shipping.

[eleny]

109. I never thought about using Lockers to return items

Usually when I have to return something it's because of damage so they send me an email with a label or a link to one. But I've seen people mention returning things in their reviews when they were disappointed with an item. I'm going to remember this and locate the nearest Locker. Thanks for mentioning this!

[crazycatlady]

114. I've returned things for various reasons

As long as you package it accordingly (Amazon might have been mad that I packed something in a slightly larger box but it was what it came in) you can return with a Locker free of charge.

Other Amazon returns (before I discovered Locker), you have to pay the postage on.

[eleny]

116. I found one nearby

It's in a Safeway grocery store. I'll have to go over there to see where and what it is. I don't know if it's a dropbox or how you go about the return. I suppose you start at the Amazon web site to set up the return and follow the instructions. Thanks again! It's so good to learn about this!

[crazycatlady]

118. It's like a PO box system

It has various sized locked boxes.

You are given a code to unlock a box and it opens. If you return something through there it has to be in a box/package with a return label on it (as if you're going to mail it). When the locker opens, you put your package in there (or pick it up) and off you go. About a 30 second process.

[eleny]

119. There aren't any lockers here at our Post Office station

But if I read you right all the Lockers are like what you describe. Somewhere at the Safeway there are a bank of lockers and I'd just need to get the locker number and it's code for opening it.

Safeway is smart to do this. They're in competition with King Soopers where I do most of my shopping. The competition is fierce. If I have to go to Safeway to access an Amazon locker I'd definitely do some grocery shopping there. We avoid driving to reduce emissions in any small way that we can. Safeway becomes the beneficiary.

[crazycatlady]

120. I doubt they have a contract with the PO for lockers

And your locker is a one-time use thing (of course you can use it again). Think of it like the one time use coin lockers at places like amusement parks.

Once you enter/scan the code, the box opens. You place/remove your package and then you're on your way. Around me, the lockers are mostly located at Speedway (gas/convenience store) and placed outside the store. Near my parents, there are a few at 7-11 locations.

[tammywammy]

88. We have Amazon delivery in the DFW area too.

Some items I buy from Amazon are shipped & delivered by them or they come via UPS.

[eleny]

112. I just got notified that a purchase will be delivered here tomorrow, Sunday

So that'll probably be an Amazon delivery. Although we once got something delivered from Amazon by USPS on a Sunday. I hadn't requested any special type delivery, either. But it was a USPS truck. Maybe that was someone who was on contract with the post office. We had a neighbor who bought an old USPS vehicle to deliver mail on a nearby mountain postal route when he worked on contract with the USPS. There's so many ways to get mail these days!

[tammywammy]

123. You can tell by the tracking number.

If it starts TBA it's amazon delivery. USPS also delivers for amazon on sundays.

[quartz007]

91. Thank you..Thank YOU SO MUCH for

clearing up the mystery of why my package was delivered the way it was! It must have been delivered by a private service using their own van, and they just threw the packages inside our condo building which has 24 units on 3 floors.

[eleny]

110. Maybe you can do a phone call with Amazon service about this

Figure out how you can make sure they use the delivery company that give the safest service. I worry about theft from our doorstep these days. But we're retired and can use the detailed tracking that's available to pin down when we'll receive something. Or I should probably request that packages be left by our side door where they won't be visible from the street.

Fyi, I noticed something new in the tracking for the Amazon or private deliveries. Last week I tracked an item and saw that it was out for delivery. I walked away from the pc but left the screen up. When I came back the screen changed to a map. Onscreen there was a notice that the delivery person was only three deliveries away. Then it changed to two and then one. I don't want to sit and watch the countdown every time. But I was watching tv and organizing some craft supplies in here so I left the screen up out of curiosity.

UPS also has a more precise tracking service and it's a free sign up. I haven't signed up yet but they'll tell you about when the package should be delivered.

I'm glad you feel that you've got this figured out!

[Kirk Lover]

124. What? You can gift memberships if you yourself have a prime account? This would be a great

way to defray the cost of the membership since I'm not even really utilizing it..yet I like that it's there.

[ooky]

39. I don't live on a third floor but the stuff I order from Amazon Prime

is always left at my door or mailbox and is generally delivered in the two day promise. They are my most reliable internet company meeting their delivery promises.

That said I'm not sure I'll renew, but for now I'm getting my $99 worth from their video service alone.

[quartz007]

43. Indeed it was delivered in 2 days..speed surprised me

[IronLionZion]

63. I've gotten Amazon deliveries same day

ordered in the morning and it came that evening. Amazon uses USPS, UPS, Lazership, or other services. They also have other delivery methods like Amazon lockers.

[Adrahil]

68. Ummm... all my Amazon Prime orders come UPS or USPS....

arrives like any other package.

[quartz007]

71. I don't know which service delivered it!

Only labels on outside of the box have "Amazon Prime" plastered in many places. The item was ordered on eBay, and the vendor did not stipulate delivery service.

I am filing a complain with vendor for using Amazon Prime and receive horrible delivery execution.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. I order enough stuff from them that I'd still save money on shipping

and I like and use some of the other benefits, like the video. I'll be keeping my membership.

[smirkymonkey]

21. Same here. I use video a lot and I live in a doorman building so it's very convenient for me.

I don't have a car, and it's not convenient for me to run all over the city to look for things I need when I probably won't be able to find them anyway. Amazon just suits my needs. I wish they would be better to their employees, but they have everything I need when I need it at a good price.

[ecstatic]

40. So it doesn't bother you how abruptly they're increasing

the price? It's not so much the price that bothers me--I just feel disrespected. With the last increase, there was an announcement and people were made aware for months that it was coming. With this latest increase, it's like they're trying to sneak it on us and hoping we don't notice because, apparently, there's no way to turn off auto-renew.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

41. I'd prefer they hadn't done it that way, but they offer a service that is useful to me

so I'll keep using it.

[dalton99a]

4. So Prime will cost $142.80/yr in 2022

Because people get a 20% pay raise every 4 years

[elocs]

5. Since I'm on food stamps I only pay $5.99/now for Prime so it's a no-brainer for me to keep it.

My stuff nearly always comes in 2 days and even when I order on a Friday if it comes by USPS they will deliver it on Sunday.

[uppityperson]

49. How do you get out for that cheap? Is it through food stamps/snap or Amazon?

[Exotica]

51. Millions of people are now eligible to get Amazon Prime for $5.99 per month

https://moneyish.com/ish/millions-of-people-are-now-eligible-to-get-amazon-prime-for-5-99-per-month/

[uppityperson]

59. Thank you

[elocs]

67. "Amazon offers discounts on Amazon Prime fees to recipients of EBT funds and, now, Medicaid."

[link:http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-amazon-prime-discount-2018-3|

[Amishman]

6. will try without, getting too expensive

I can afford it if I want it, but I think the cost / benefit argument isn't there at over a benjamin

[crazycatlady]

7. I'll keep my membership

It is so much more than free shipping. I like using the streaming video, streaming music, and free book once a month.

[Ferrets are Cool]

8. I don't know what our cut-off price will be.

I hate that they are going up, but I use it constantly for free 2nd day shipping and for Prime Video. Not sure when it will become too expensive to justify.

[LenaBaby61]

10. I've spoken with several people who are elderly ...

And who live on tight budgets, and it is NOT going over well with them. They either haven't got a car or they have a cash flow issue. A few are contemplating dropping their Amazon Prime membership. One of my friends is lucky, telling me that her grand-niece who does all of her Amazon Fresh ordering will chip in money for the increase so that she can keep her Amazon Prime (How sweet of her).

[trueblue2007]

11. i am Senior and get 800 a month SS. I can't afford increase but NEED prime. Shipping

and ebooks.

i AM REALLY PISSED OFF. Amazon makes enough $$$ and doesn't need to raise membership !!!

[elocs]

32. I also am a retired senior getting $800/month SS and pay just $5.99/month for Prime

so even if it increases by $20/year for me I'll still be paying under $99/year.

[trueblue2007]

47. hubby's SS is more than mine. we don't qualify for a lower price Prime.

[hlthe2b]

12. they are right about the psychological impact of raising it above $100

I don't renew until November, but I'm going to have to give that some thought.

[Blue_true]

14. I read some of the comments, the price increase is significant for some.

I have prime, but honestly, I only use Amazon for things that I can't get locally and for hyper specialty items that only Amazon will have.

I wish that Amazon find a way to help people that are on the borderline with the price increase, or who are home bound keep their memberships, it is the right thing to do and long term, Amazon also benefit.

[badhair77]

15. Im debating if I will renew the membership.

Mine just renewed and tax was added to the $99. So the new amount would be $119 plus tax. I’m not sure the extras are worth that price.

[rurallib]

16. 100,000,000 million Prime members by $20 bucks

is a lot of money.

Only use Amazon as a last resort, so have only used it like 3 times.
I still try to keep purchases as local as possible, but it is getting really hard.

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

17. Easy way..

to determine if it's worth it. Count your purchases for the last two years...divide by two. Multiply that number by 4. If it's a lot higher than 119.00, buy it. Otherwise it's just another way to get you to consume. At some point, we have to evaluate how much is enough imho.

[tavernier]

23. Free shipping, two day delivery,

Movies, shows, books, music, products I nail down in a sec that otherwise I’d be walking all over town to find...
Worth it and then some!

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

29. I get it.

I'm an Amazon fan. Best believe it. Just worried it makes it too easy to burn through your wages. That's all I'm saying. For me it's the books delivered. Literally any book.

[milestogo]

18. My renewal is May 17 so I guess I'll keep it another year.

[ecstatic]

30. You might be in the clear for this year. I think

the June and later renewals are screwed. That's what is annoying me. They could have at least waited until January. It's the principle that's irritating me the most.

[mvd]

20. I was a member but didn't buy enough to justify continuing it

I don't watch a lot of video and like to choose music to own.

[tavernier]

22. Love my Prime Bennies.

Rarely use them all but the ones I do use are worth it.

[TeamPooka]

26. I'm a Prime member for the Amazon TV shows.The Marvelous Mrs Maisel is worth it alone

The music and movies too! the free shipping is just a bonus.
And we buy a lot of out household supplies there so a lot is shipped here weekly/monthly
Saves from having to go to the store a lot

[sarcasmo]

33. They sell the Kirkland brand OTC medication, so it's saved us from buying a Costco card.

[sarcasmo]

31. I use Amazon streaming site on my Roku, so the price is still a good value.

[Sampan]

35. As it is, they jack up the prices of Prime products. I wont renew.

[Codeine]

36. Ill still be saving a ton in shipping

and I use Amazon Prime Video as well, so it’s not an issue for me.

[elocs]

38. Amazon is offering a discount on Prime for people on government assistance

[link:https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/6/15745668/amazon-discounted-prime-subscription-government-assistance|

"Today (June 6, 2017), Amazon announced that it’s offering a discount on Prime membership for US customers participating in a number of government assistance programs. Anyone with a valid Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which disburses funds for programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or food stamps), is eligible for Prime’s discounted monthly price of $5.99. Prime’s normal price is a $99 a year, or a monthly fee of $10.99.

“We designed this membership option for customers receiving government assistance to make our everyday selection and savings more accessible,” says Greg Greeley, vice president of Amazon Prime. Customers will need to have a current EBT card to enroll and the card cannot be used to pay the monthly membership fee. Those who qualify for the discount can apply once a year, up to four times."

How many people receiving SNAP benefits know this? It doesn't matter how much you get, just that you qualify? I pay $5.99 each month for my Prime benefits.

[KPN]

44. Why? Bezos and shareholders aren't making enough?

[NatBurner]

45. i'm good with that

that's two six packs a year i'll just have to do without

[Saboburns]

46. I will gladly pay the exrta 20 to keep my Amazon Prime

Amazon will find some way of getting that $20 back to me, they're very good at that. I'm continually getting special offers thru Amazon Prime, some of it for free. Just this week Amazon sent me 9 free Kindle ebooks, FOR FREE. Because it was National Book Day. And these were good books, Best Sellers. Average $9-$14 each.

And every month I get to download a free Kindle ebook. I get a choice of 3 about to be published books and I get to choose the one I want and download it for free. A month before these titles are released to the general public.

And there are many, many similar deals for free, or for a piddling amount, like 99 cents.

And the free 2 day shipping is worth the money just by itself. Plus the free TV, movies, and documentaries, I watch a HELLUVA lot of their free documentaries.

Anyway I'll just say I am a very, very happy Amazon Prime customer.

[Ginger Snapped]

48. Its really worth it for me.

I buy almost everything from Amazon. I am older, and retired, I live on fixed income, I save on my tv bill. I save on my gas for auto, since I don't have to drive all over for shopping .I save on my reading. I ve been doing business with them for a few years and only had one problem and It was taken care of the minute I reported it. Amazon for me is an amazing value.

[gopiscrap]

125. welcome to DU

[yortsed snacilbuper]

50. Worth every penny,

[Historic NY]

52. I renewed at the low rate...

I use it mainly for my Firestick

[womanofthehills]

53. I live way out in the country - so I will definitely keep my membership

and packages don't even come to my door. Out here in rural NM, UPS and Fed Ex deliver to the hardware store where we all pick up our packages - over 10 miles away. PO is also 10 miles away.

I love knowing that I can get something I need in 2 days.

[democratisphere]

54. drumpf's whining about USPS shipping costs just gave Amazon a

20% revenue increase. I just renewed so I have time to think about my next renewal. Almost doesn't seem worth the increase.

[Sherman A1]

56. That is a large percentage increase

I have never had a prime membership and an less likely to do so now. I have used amazon along the way, but I try to window shop there gain what information I can and look elsewhere for the items when shopping online. It takes a little longer, but doing so often saves me money.

[Atman]

57. Still worth it, especially if you take advantage.

We don’t have cable, so Prime is a great for tv; I use Prime Music regularly, that have a ridiculous number of albums and good playlists. And of course, the shipping which I use pretty often. Prime has more than paid for itsel in shipping charges alone. Another $20 a year isn’t a dealbreaker for me.

[Bengus81]

60. First year when I bought that option it was $75 bucks maybe 3-4 years ago.

Then it was raised the next year $24 bucks and most of the stuff I bought didn't have the option because it was from 3rd party sellers,paid for it two years and dropped it,don't even miss it.

It's BS unless your just dying for something in two days or sometimes three. It's a MYTH that everything carries two day shipping and most people probably think so when signing up. Hell,my daughter lives in Chicago and gets stuff in ONE or two days without it.

[Bengus81]

61. Think about an option on your poll for those who had it but dumped it with the first increase?

[IronLionZion]

64. Prime is one of the best values out there

it's perfect for urban people where it's not convenient to drive out to the burbs just to go to the store. I can get the same things I would get from Target or Walmart delivered right to my condo.

Plus prime video and all the other perks of the service like Washington Post online access. They have some great shows on there.

I'm also a shareholder so some of that money comes back into my pocket. I like investing in companies I use often.

[LAGC]

66. Amazon Prime Student is still only $49/year.

All the great benefits, half the price.

Great option if you are still in (or thinking about going back to) school.

Combine with Amazon Prime Store Card and get 5% off everything -- pretty much cancels out sales tax.

[DrDan]

69. love Amazon Prime - will be keeping it

[underpants]

76. My wife uses it a lot

Mostly for the staple household type stuff. We'll pay it.

[Blue_Adept]

78. Staples plus bulk; and subscriptions. It's eliminated my BJ's Wholesale need.

Plus all the other stuff you get as well.

The important thing is that I know I'll always have kitty treats on hand as they ship me some every month. I'm looking forward to the cat realizing that and waiting in the doorway like a puppy for them to show up.

[underpants]

80. Our poor UPS guy

The funny thing is the Amazon boxes that say "handles inside" - the UPS guy must think "the hell thats helping ME!" I know I do when I'm just taking it in from the porch.

[X_Digger]

81. Subscribe and Save for the win.

All our bulk consumables come from amazon subscribe and save. Makes taking in the groceries so much easier when the TP, paper towels, laundry detergent, etc aren't included.

[underpants]

82. Most of ours too

It's really cool

[KG]

77. streaming music, streaming video, free shipping - still a bargain.

[ginnyinWI]

107. there are better options.

Apple Music or Spotify for music is better and the latter can be free if you listen to ads. Also I Heart Radio and others are out there.

Netflix is far better than Amazon video, and we always use free shipping when we order from Amazon because we order more than $25 at a time.

[Blue_Adept]

117. When there are specific shows you want

It's not a matter of being "better"

I can only see certain series on Netflix. And certain series on Amazon. And the same for Hulu and so forth.

[matt819]

79. Do the math

Sure, you have to estimate a bit, but think about it.

Assumption: You're an Amazon customer.

Let's say the average cost of your average Amazon order is $5. If the order is sent via first class mail, you'll receive it in up to three days, depending on location. If sent via USPS Priority mail, you'll get your order in 2-3 days (3 if you're in a remote rural area). If sent via UPS or FedEx ground, then you're looking at 1 to 5 business days depending on location. And you won't receive anything on a Sunday. If you place 20 order a year or under and are in no hurry to receive your order, then give up or skip Prime.

If you need or want to count on getting your order reliably in 2 days, the Prime is the way to go, regardless of the cost. If you then factor in the number of orders you make - more than 20 based on my assumption above - then Prime will save you money. And you'll get stuff on Sunday.

I'm in a rural area, and I have no problem receiving deliveries from USPS, FedEx, and UPS reliably. UPS and FedEx deliver at the front door, USPS in the mailbox or front door depending on size of package.

Is it always perfect? No. Stuff gets screwed up now and again, but when it does, it's irritating, not critical.

As for the reason for the increase? Sure, it could be the spat with the buffoon-in-chief, and it does seem out of line when they just had their most profitable quarter ever (I think it was ever). It also seems out of line when you factor in the benefit from the tax cut. But even with negotiated shipping contracts, rates and costs do increase, and customers (like me) are probably money losers on the shipping front.

Don't get me wrong. I have issues with Amazon. The contracting out of warehouse operations and poor working conditions sucks. And I'm troubled by them following Walmart in counting on welfare benefits to supplement the needs of its employees. That inexcusable. And maybe I should boycott them. But as Amazon controls 40% of the nation's retail sales, it's going to take a lot more than my personal boycott to make a difference.

[Dreamer Tatum]

83. bookmarking to use when someone posts about Amazon's labor abuses. nt

[Liberal In Texas]

98. Worth it. The prime movies are pretty good. The series"Bosch" is excellent and worth the price.

And we like the Prime delivery/free shipping.

Will stay with it.

[YOHABLO]

101. Amazon is killing retail malls ... oh, and jobs.

[Blue_Adept]

106. Retail malls haven't sold the things I buy for well over a decade now

They abandoned a lot of retailers years ago. Toy stores? Book stories? Video stores? So on and so forth. 95% of the mall is clothing stores. That's why I stopped going.

[yardwork]

102. With Prime, we get free shipping and free shows/movies.

I think it's worth the price for us.

[ginnyinWI]

104. We quit a few years ago, and you know what?

Our packages arrive earlier than promised, especially during holiday season when they put extra trucks on.

Also, listed prices are sometimes higher for Prime members! Think of that.

[samplegirl]

108. No they don't need to raise it!

Our wages haven’t gone up!

[MineralMan]

111. My wife has a Prime Account. We both use it.

The only problem arises if I'm buying her a gift. Then, I have to tell her not to look at her Amazon emails until after the date. I don't know if she does that or not. Besides, the anticipation if she does is OK, too.

For some reason, my Kindle Fire is registered to her Amazon account. Shopping is really easy on that. One click and its on its way. I don't abuse it or spend money I wouldn't otherwise spend, though.

[miyazaki]

121. Dumped them already, after getting screwed on a return.

They'll host just about any seller, including ones that don't honor their own warranties.
Went through their A to Z process and got screwed. First time I ever tried to return anything to them as an account holder for twenty years.

They post billions in profit every quarter, just did again as a matter of fact. So let's raise our rates so we can produce some more crappy original series to compete with Netflix etc. You know what, fuck them. Done.

[elocs]

127. I've never had a problem with Amazon returns and have found them quite easy.

In fact this past week I had a part for a bike trailer that was shipped Prime to me in 2 days and when I set up a return for it I was notified that my card would be credited but just to keep it.

[mtnsnake]

122. We'll renew ours for two reasons

1) We (my wife and I) are better off with Prime than without it, even at the new price.
2) Any enemy of Trump is almost always a friend of mine.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

126. For me Amazon Prime is well worth it.

Here's only a small example: I have a friend who has friends in prison. They sometimes requests books, and that request is sometimes passed on to me. I fill that book request. Because the prison system has many deficiencies, meaning they often reject books mailed to prisoners, which means the book I sent to the inmate is returned (complain, mumble mumble, complain)since I have Amazon Prime, it does not cost me anything. I sigh, and resend the book. After several attempts it makes it through the prison system.

If I didn't have Prime, I'd be paying for every single mailing. And while I only send something into the prison system three or four times a year, for me it is well worth Prime.