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Amazon's minimum order size for free shipping is now $35

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Re: Amazon's minimum order size for free shipping is now $35

#91

Post by milesskorpen »

pallandt wrote: post #50
jon-wood wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are things bought on Amazon which leave me wondering how they can possibly be making money on them. I recently bought 4kg of cat litter from Amazon, which was shipped to me next day for free - I may be utterly out of touch with how much they're paying for shipping, but I can't see the purchase price even covering that side, never mind the product itself.

They most likely make up for it (the small loss or lack of profit) by selling other items, at least that's what happens at other companies applying the same strategy. It evens out and they can boast about the huge number of SKUs they're able to offer.

... and they don't actually have to worry about actually making money. It's run as a charity for consumers paid for by investors.

Re: Amazon's minimum order size for free shipping is now $35

#92

Post by mmagin »

codegeek wrote: post #17

I am amazed at how amazon remains doing business with so low margins or no profits. We love amazon at my house and being Prime members, we are almost ordering everything under the sun from Amazon that we possibly can. Here is why we love it: - The reviews are actually useful. I just bought a 70 inch TV through amazon and the critical and helpful reviews really helped me get going with settings on the TV that would ha…

My experience is that a lot of bulky but cheap items cost more than in local stores. They're rolling shipping costs into the product cost.

Re: Amazon's minimum order size for free shipping is now $35

#93

Post by RealCasually »

cylinder wrote: post #77
codegeek wrote: post #17

I am amazed at how amazon remains doing business with so low margins or no profits. We love amazon at my house and being Prime members, we are almost ordering everything under the sun from Amazon that we possibly can. Here is why we love it: - The reviews are actually useful. I just bought a 70 inch TV through amazon and the critical and helpful reviews really helped me get going with settings on the TV that would ha…

I love Prime, but there's no way that shipping a 20-roll pack of paper towels[1] that cost less than the store, in a giant cardboard box, in two days via an airplane to my door, is sustainable. They are taking a loss, even factoring in the membership fees, and at some point they won't be able to get away with it any longer. [1] Or a big heavy television. Or anything else you can find on Amazon.

On the paper towels I agree, but large electronics like TVs are sourced from local warehouses and hand delivered similarly to how Best Buy would do so.

Re: Amazon's minimum order size for free shipping is now $35

#94

Post by jorgem »

gtaylor wrote: post #8
timsayshey wrote: post #6

Maybe they are just trying to push more people over to prime

I'm feeling even better about getting Prime now. It seems like we order stuff almost daily now instead of running to the store. We've more than paid back the $75 in free shipping less than halfway into the 12 month cycle.

Does Amazon have a simple way to track when the $75 has paid for itself? Or did you just calculate it yourself?

Re: Amazon's minimum order size for free shipping is now $35

#95

Post by marincounty »

DennisP wrote: post #74
abirfrankel wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They are starting to limit the terms of service for Prime members, I think for this very reason but, I'm pretty unhappy about it.

In what ways?

They make it difficult to return inexpensive items. It's happened two times when I have been a Prime Member. Once, they sent me the wrong model radio. It was only 10 dollars, but it's the principal of the blah. When I tried to return it was not just a click--I had to call, and the number was actually busy.

Plus--that two day shipping--works great for their items, but it's hit, or miss with resellers.

Re: Amazon's minimum order size for free shipping is now $35

#96

Post by blisterpeanuts »

Sales taxes are going to bite into their business. My state (Massachusetts) has forced them to charge sales tax starting some time later this year, and that's bound to affect sales.

Tax-free New Hampshire is 45 minutes away from Boston, and I suspect that once the sales tax kicks in, all those malls and outlets up north are going to see an uptick in business.

In fact, probably that's why they're squeezing the shipping now, because of this impending hit that they know they're going to take, until people become resigned to the tax.

Re: Amazon's minimum order size for free shipping is now $35

#98

Post by john61 »

criley2 wrote: post #54
john61 wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Reasons not to buy from amazon: https://stallman.org/amazon.html

This is ridiculous. "Reasons you shouldn't buy products from Amazon:" - They sell e-books which are bad inherently - They don't pay taxes everywhere That's 80% of the list. You should have noted that this list was for people who avoid stuff like Ubuntu for not being F/OSS enough, because this list is clearly intended for the hardcore anti-capitalist pro-freedom types.

You obviously did not read it thoroughly. For example does he not say that e-books are bad per se: https://gnu.org/philosophy/the-danger-of-ebooks.en.html

Re: Amazon's minimum order size for free shipping is now $35

#99

Post by chaz »

marincounty wrote: post #95
DennisP wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In what ways?

They make it difficult to return inexpensive items. It's happened two times when I have been a Prime Member. Once, they sent me the wrong model radio. It was only 10 dollars, but it's the principal of the blah. When I tried to return it was not just a click--I had to call, and the number was actually busy. Plus--that two day shipping--works great for their items, but it's hit, or miss with resellers.

I've only returned a few items over the years, and I've spent a lot of money with them. I tried to return an $11 product last year. They just refunded me the money and told me to keep it. I had a $35 product stolen off my doorstep once (empty box left behind). They shipped me a new one, no questions asked.

Re: Amazon's minimum order size for free shipping is now $35

#100

Post by cowsandmilk »

marincounty wrote: post #90
VMG wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

tl;dr because it's not a commune I specifically find the argument funny that amazon "steals" from me because it doesn't pay "enough" taxes, even though they pass their savings to me more directly than the state ever will

Oh they are passing on most of the tax for now, but what will happen when they really dominate? I saw what happened to Home Depot. They concored the market on prices. Competition folded. They raised their prices. It's now just an expensive big store with unhappy help.

except if you buy cree light bulbs :) $8[1] vs. $19[2]

[1] http://www.homedepot.com/p/Cree-9-5-Watt-60W-Soft-White-Dimm... [2] http://www.amazon.com/Cree-9-5-Watt-White-2700K-Light/dp/B00...

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