Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
05-04-18, 07:20 AM
#51
Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
While I never calculated if I spend $120 a year in gas going to B&M stores in a year to obtain the same products I purchase from Amazon, the gas and time involved does work in my estimated calculation for Prime in context.
In addition, if I am truly attempting to get my perceived best price then I may spend even more $$ comparison shopping driving between B&M to find the lowest price potentially returning to a previously visited B&M to make the final buying decision. (My wife and I used to do that years ago.... Hours and hours along with miles and miles).
We used to do our grocery shopping at multiple stores to ensure we received the best lowest sale price - coupons, etc. Then one say we realized we were wasting time and gas running around. So we locked in on the best overall location and do 99% shopping there. We only go elsewhere if our chosen place is out of something to doesn't actually carry it. In the end we actually spent less and for sure less time.
I have friends and family members who drive about an hour away to do grocery shopping because they pay less on their bill. I asked if they considered their gas and time. Nope. The gas is already in the tank so they gave it little thought. What about additional wear and tear on vehicle. No thought. In the end they paid about the same as if they just shopped at the local grocery.
My point is the following. Logically evaluating each person's perspective can produce support for -or- again paying for Prime. So for each person's decision, be sure to include all data in the calculations to determine if it works or doesn't work for your individual requirements.
If it does, then pay it. If not, then don't.
In addition, if I am truly attempting to get my perceived best price then I may spend even more $$ comparison shopping driving between B&M to find the lowest price potentially returning to a previously visited B&M to make the final buying decision. (My wife and I used to do that years ago.... Hours and hours along with miles and miles).
We used to do our grocery shopping at multiple stores to ensure we received the best lowest sale price - coupons, etc. Then one say we realized we were wasting time and gas running around. So we locked in on the best overall location and do 99% shopping there. We only go elsewhere if our chosen place is out of something to doesn't actually carry it. In the end we actually spent less and for sure less time.
I have friends and family members who drive about an hour away to do grocery shopping because they pay less on their bill. I asked if they considered their gas and time. Nope. The gas is already in the tank so they gave it little thought. What about additional wear and tear on vehicle. No thought. In the end they paid about the same as if they just shopped at the local grocery.
My point is the following. Logically evaluating each person's perspective can produce support for -or- again paying for Prime. So for each person's decision, be sure to include all data in the calculations to determine if it works or doesn't work for your individual requirements.
If it does, then pay it. If not, then don't.
05-04-18, 11:18 AM
#52
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
I'm willing to try and look at it logically. For most, it seems the value that they get from Amazon Prime is time savings, and convenience.
If I was going to sign up for Prime, I'd need to order 120 packages a year to break even. It probably costs Amazon only a dollar a parcel, as they're obviously receiving steep discounts from the USPS, UPS, et al (most likely they ship for pennies on the dollar compared to the rest of us peons).
If I was going to sign up for Prime, I'd need to order 120 packages a year to break even. It probably costs Amazon only a dollar a parcel, as they're obviously receiving steep discounts from the USPS, UPS, et al (most likely they ship for pennies on the dollar compared to the rest of us peons).
All of the rest of the "perceived value", eg streaming, etc is garbage. Their streaming service wouldn't be garbage if they actually offered content at 80 to 100 mbits / sec instead of the ~15 mbps that they stream 4k content. So, they've actually lowered the bar on quality for high-definition content. This is to keep *their* bandwidth costs down. They're not your friend there, either.
I'm still on the hook for sales tax, so that savings is now gone. That value is gone, which amounts to an extra 8.75% in my state. I loved the days when Amazon didn't charge tax, I was much, much more loyal to them then. Instant 8.75% savings over any B&M. No more, since they have a "business presence" in all 50 states now, it seems.
So, what's left? Unless I ordered a package every three days (now at the $120 / year rate), there's really no extra value in Prime. That is, Amazon *still* would make a profit off my Prime membership unless I ordered that frequently.
Now, many of you probably order more than 120 Amazon packages a year (ie, the 'fanboys' I refer to), but unless I become physically incapacitated and / or homebound, there is no extra "value" in Prime for me. Most of you probably think you're getting a "great" deal, but it really isn't, becuase Amazon stacks the deck in their favor.
My point is the following. Logically evaluating each person's perspective can produce support for -or- again paying for Prime. So for each person's decision, be sure to include all data in the calculations to determine if it works or doesn't work for your individual requirements.
If it does, then pay it. If not, then don't.
If it does, then pay it. If not, then don't.
It's fine if someone doesn't find value in Amazon Prime. I posted earlier I might be nearing that point with the price increases. For others, Amazon's shipping might just be terrible in their city (it's been near perfect for me). But it's not hard to see how many people do use the many services that Amazon Prime offers and is valuable rather then calling any user of the service a fanboy or sheep. That's just being willfully ignorant.
Last edited by fumanstan; 05-04-18 at 11:46 AM.
05-04-18, 11:32 AM
#53
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Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
Again, you're so concerned about what Amazon and other businesses are getting because "GREED!!!" I don't care if Amazon profits, all I care is if my money is going towards services that either 1) end up saving myself money in the long run or 2) is worth the added convenience factor.
05-04-18, 01:59 PM
#54
Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
I order from Amazon on a semi-regular basis, but always felt that Prime was a waste of money. I typically will wait until to bundle several items together in an order in order to get free shipping.
And, now that the price is going up even further, I feel it's even more of a waste of money.
And, now that the price is going up even further, I feel it's even more of a waste of money.
05-04-18, 02:44 PM
#55
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
Zyzzle is a forum treasure. Completely delusional, but fun sometimes. I probably get $300 worth of stuff out of Prime every year, and that isn’t even counting the shipping benefits, time convenience, or Prime Video that we watch every month. The monthly free books, free PC games, and digital credits add up fast.
05-04-18, 04:13 PM
#56
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
Zyzzle is a forum treasure. Completely delusional, but fun sometimes. I probably get $300 worth of stuff out of Prime every year, and that isn’t even counting the shipping benefits, time convenience, or Prime Video that we watch every month. The monthly free books, free PC games, and digital credits add up fast.
05-05-18, 03:52 AM
#57
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
It's those families, for example that have 4 seperate Prime memberships ( = $480 spent per year), each member of which orders perhaps 10 packages a year between them that Amazon clearly profits from. And they think they're getting value, but are really quite deluded themselves.
OK, guys you're all convincing me a little more about how you are getting "value" out of Prime, and believe it or not, I do appreciate the elaboration on how you are finding intangible value (ie, savings in time vs money) in it, and do accede the point.
For now, I shall simply say, different strokes and Amazon may actually provide a great service for some in Prime, but it just isn't for me, and I don't believe in blind acquiesence to it.
Good night, and good luck to all Amazon lovers.
05-06-18, 12:25 AM
#58
Senior Member
Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
I order from Amazon on a semi-regular basis, but always felt that Prime was a waste of money. I typically will wait until to bundle several items together in an order in order to get free shipping.
And, now that the price is going up even further, I feel it's even more of a waste of money.
And, now that the price is going up even further, I feel it's even more of a waste of money.
05-06-18, 03:05 PM
#59
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
No, I wouldn't bitch about a person figuring out how to use Prime so efficiently as you have. I commend you and the 2 other savvy people you share the account with; even in my admittedly harsh and stringent conditions under what I consider "breaking even" you've gone above and beyond that.
It's those families, for example that have 4 seperate Prime memberships ( = $480 spent per year), each member of which orders perhaps 10 packages a year between them that Amazon clearly profits from. And they think they're getting value, but are really quite deluded themselves.
OK, guys you're all convincing me a little more about how you are getting "value" out of Prime, and believe it or not, I do appreciate the elaboration on how you are finding intangible value (ie, savings in time vs money) in it, and do accede the point.
For now, I shall simply say, different strokes and Amazon may actually provide a great service for some in Prime, but it just isn't for me, and I don't believe in blind acquiesence to it.
Good night, and good luck to all Amazon lovers.
It's those families, for example that have 4 seperate Prime memberships ( = $480 spent per year), each member of which orders perhaps 10 packages a year between them that Amazon clearly profits from. And they think they're getting value, but are really quite deluded themselves.
OK, guys you're all convincing me a little more about how you are getting "value" out of Prime, and believe it or not, I do appreciate the elaboration on how you are finding intangible value (ie, savings in time vs money) in it, and do accede the point.
For now, I shall simply say, different strokes and Amazon may actually provide a great service for some in Prime, but it just isn't for me, and I don't believe in blind acquiesence to it.
Good night, and good luck to all Amazon lovers.
05-10-18, 07:59 PM
#60
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
Don't forget, new price starts tomorrow. I just gifted myself a 1 year membership to lock in one more year at $99. So I'll redeem that in July once my membership is up.
05-11-18, 01:58 AM
#61
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
Missed this, but yeah that would be bizarre. I'm also sharing the shipping with other people based on the old plan, but even now you can share with another family member for all the benefits for free. I don't know why a family under one roof would need multiple subscriptions.
05-11-18, 08:24 AM
#62
Senior Member
Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
Yeah, I just checked and they at some point did update my account page to show the higher $119 price when it renews, although curiously I've still not been informed by Amazon about this, in fact I still wouldn't know if I hadn't been watching this thread. Has anyone else been informed directly?
05-11-18, 08:49 AM
#63
Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
Phew. Luckily my Prime renewed on May 9th. It now shows the new price for 2019 when the time comes.
05-11-18, 10:33 AM
#64
Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
Just received this in an e-mail from Amazon
"Dear Prime Member,
Thank you for being a valued member of Amazon Prime. We are writing to you about an upcoming change to your membership.
The price of the annual Prime membership increased from $99 to $119 on May 11, 2018. Your renewal on July 11, 2018 will be at $99. The new price will apply to your renewals starting July 11, 2019."
Anyone else get this?
"Dear Prime Member,
Thank you for being a valued member of Amazon Prime. We are writing to you about an upcoming change to your membership.
The price of the annual Prime membership increased from $99 to $119 on May 11, 2018. Your renewal on July 11, 2018 will be at $99. The new price will apply to your renewals starting July 11, 2019."
Anyone else get this?
05-11-18, 10:51 AM
#65
Senior Member
Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
Yep, was just now informed.
Dear Prime Member,
Thank you for being a valued member of Amazon Prime. We are writing to you about an upcoming change to your membership.
The price of the annual Prime membership increased from $99 to $119 on May 11, 2018. The new price will apply to your renewals starting August 6, 2018.
Prime provides an unparalleled combination of shopping and entertainment benefits, and we continue to invest in making Prime even more valuable for our members. We have expanded Prime Free Same-Day and Prime Free One-Day delivery to more than 8,000 cities and towns and we will keep expanding. The number of items eligible for free two-day shipping increased in recent years from 20 million to more than 100 million items. Members also enjoy unlimited streaming access to millions of songs and thousands of movies and TV shows, including popular and award-winning Prime Originals.
No further action is required. You may manage your Prime membership anytime by visiting Your Account.
Sincerely,
Your Amazon Prime Team
Gotta love the "no furthur action is required" part at the end.
Dear Prime Member,
Thank you for being a valued member of Amazon Prime. We are writing to you about an upcoming change to your membership.
The price of the annual Prime membership increased from $99 to $119 on May 11, 2018. The new price will apply to your renewals starting August 6, 2018.
Prime provides an unparalleled combination of shopping and entertainment benefits, and we continue to invest in making Prime even more valuable for our members. We have expanded Prime Free Same-Day and Prime Free One-Day delivery to more than 8,000 cities and towns and we will keep expanding. The number of items eligible for free two-day shipping increased in recent years from 20 million to more than 100 million items. Members also enjoy unlimited streaming access to millions of songs and thousands of movies and TV shows, including popular and award-winning Prime Originals.
No further action is required. You may manage your Prime membership anytime by visiting Your Account.
Sincerely,
Your Amazon Prime Team
Gotta love the "no furthur action is required" part at the end.
05-11-18, 02:56 PM
#66
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Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
Yeah, I just checked and they at some point did update my account page to show the higher $119 price when it renews, although curiously I've still not been informed by Amazon about this, in fact I still wouldn't know if I hadn't been watching this thread. Has anyone else been informed directly?
05-11-18, 05:35 PM
#67
Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
I just renewed last month @ $99. Not sure if I'll be paying $119. Amazon will need to have a better Prime Video lineup and...the USPS needs to stop fucking with my packages.
I guess my days of buying one thing here and there will no longer happen, and I'll just find stuff for $15 or over, and use Netflix. If Amazon had their own personal delivery service, I wouldn't have much of a problem, but when you contract out the shittiest and basically the only delivery system around...the choices I have are minimal.
I guess my days of buying one thing here and there will no longer happen, and I'll just find stuff for $15 or over, and use Netflix. If Amazon had their own personal delivery service, I wouldn't have much of a problem, but when you contract out the shittiest and basically the only delivery system around...the choices I have are minimal.
05-13-18, 06:48 PM
#71
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
Got my e-mail 2 days ago:
"The price of the annual Prime membership increased from $99 to $119 on May 11, 2018. Your renewal on June 12, 2019 will be at $99. The new price will apply to your renewals starting June 11, 2020."
"The price of the annual Prime membership increased from $99 to $119 on May 11, 2018. Your renewal on June 12, 2019 will be at $99. The new price will apply to your renewals starting June 11, 2020."
05-13-18, 07:41 PM
#72
Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
"The price of the annual Prime membership increased from $99 to $119 on May 11, 2018. The new price will apply to your renewals starting July 17, 2018."
05-13-18, 08:23 PM
#73
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Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
Yeah, mine doesn't renew until the end of November so I'm fucked.
05-14-18, 03:41 PM
#74
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Amazon Prime membership increasing from $99 to $119 on May 11th
For any of the prime members that don't have a renewal date until after the price increase, can you renew early and pay the lower price?
