Amazon criticized the free delivery option
Depending on where you live, you could end up paying more.
Many of us came to Count on Amazon For everything, from interior decoration and bases of clothing to cleaning supplies and pet food. But if there is one thing that we associate most with online retailers, it is a quick and low cost shipping. Where could you order something one day and expect your door the next day? If you have a premium subscription, you get this advantage for free on each order - and even if you don't, you get free delivery on most orders if you exceed a certain threshold. But now, this may no longer be the case, and buyers are not satisfied. Read more to find out how Amazon reduces its free delivery options.
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Amazon has increased the amount you need to spend on free delivery, but only for some people.
Amazon's famous free shipping of Two day extended to all purchases made by prime members and people who spent at least $ 25 for their order. However, in recent weeks, it has changed.
The online retailer has deployed a new price model in which buyers of certain postal codes must respond to a minimum of $ 25 to qualify for free delivery, and buyers in other postal codes must respond to a minimum of $ 35. Amazon told Checkbook (via Komo-TV) that he was randomly Test the new price in different regions; However, this did not make an official announcement.
"We are continuously assessing our offers and makes adjustments according to these assessments," said Amazon spokesperson Kristina Pressentin . "We are currently testing a minimum of $ 35 so that non -prisons can be eligible for free delivery. Prime members continue to take advantage of free delivery on more than 300 million items, with tens of millions of items Available free of charge or a day delivery. "
Prime membership costs $ 139 per year and includes advantages such as free delivery, first -rate video, whole grocery delivery, free grubhub + subscription.
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The price seems to be arbitrary.
Amazon's updates have revealed a little random. Edgar Dworsky , founder and publisher of Consumer World, found some cases where prices were at a level in a part of a city and another in a neighboring area.
For example, residents of Manhattan must meet a minimum of $ 25, but those in Brooklyn have to reach $ 35. In Bethesda and Chevy Chase, Maryland, the minimum is $ 25, but it is $ 35 for the Dupont Circle district in Washington, D.C., some cities in Boston have a minimum of $ 25, while others are at $ 35.
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Buyers believe that the increase is unfair.
Because change is not the same everywhere, many buyers feel that they are unjustly at the price.
"It makes me a little bored," David Bookbinder , an Amazon client in Massachusetts, told Checkbook. "They seem to do a lot of things where some customers are treated differently. And how do they choose and choose who gets what and who pays what? I think it's unfair."
He says that is particularly true in times of economic uncertainty.
"It is regrettable that consumers are always struggling with inflation and prices of higher products that Amazon has chosen to stack and invoice for shipping that was previously free," added Dworsky.
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Amazon remains a leader in fast and free delivery.
Although this change is shocking, it should be noted that this is not the first time that Amazon has played with its prices. According to CNBC , he increased the minimum to $ 49 of $ 35 in 2016, then dropped it to $ 35 per year later, before going again to $ 25.
This drop was at least partially inspired by the need to compete with Walmart, which has a minimum of $ 35 for free delivery. The Walmart loyalty program, which offers free delivery on all orders, costs $ 98 per year.
In addition, the change occurs while the online retailer has aggressively reduced costs, reduces more than 27,000 corporate jobs and stopped free grocery deliveries for privileged members on orders of less than $ 150.
There is a hack to get around the change.
Some buyers have found a way to get around the change by sending their items to other places, such as an office or a parent's house. Change your postal code in the delivery location and you will get a updated price. If you are lucky, you may be able to spend $ 10 less to get free delivery. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB
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