Amazon Prime Worth It?

[myrdale]

From 2005 to 2010 I averaged about 3 purchases a year on Amazon.
From 2011 to 2018 I averaged about 22 purchases.
In 2019, I spiked at 39 purchases.

Previously I'd usually opt for the 5 day shipping, say $5 to $8 per delivery. Recently though I've tended to select free standard shipping when optional, which seems to vary from 3 to 8 days.

I have Netflix already, I don't know what I am missing out on Amazon, and I don't spend much time on television as is.

If I don't mind waiting an extra 2 days for my pants or a random book or CD to arrive, does Amazon Prime really make much sense for me?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

no we haven't had it for a year and it seems okay.

[cypher1]

When I had Prime i never watched videos. It was more for Xmas shopping and home projects. I eventually canceled it as I didn't order enough to justify the cost. I would rather wait a few more days to save on shipping. So you're not alone. I pointed out to my co-workers that we have either a delayed or instant gratification personality.

[rennigade]

Just find a friend/family member and use their prime account. Thats what I do. I use a friends. I give him $10/year. Tthere are a bunch of family members on his account. If they'd each pitch in a $10 spot, his membership would be free.

[myrdale]

I pointed out to my co-workers that we have either a delayed or instant gratification personality.

Similarly I have a co-worker who brags on a regular basis about how much he is saving with free 2nd day delivery. I tried to explain that even if he places 120 orders per year, he is still paying $1 per for second day shipping, $2 per if he only places 60 orders.

Looking through my purchase history from +5 years ago, it really doesn't matter if I received the item the same day it was ordered or two weeks later. Applying some small measure of perspective from the past to the present would suggest delayed gratification is a very valuable virtue.

[cypher1]

Similarly I have a co-worker who brags on a regular basis about how much he is saving with free 2nd day delivery. I tried to explain that even if he places 120 orders per year, he is still paying $1 per for second day shipping, $2 per if he only places 60 orders.

Looking through my purchase history from +5 years ago, it really doesn't matter if I received the item the same day it was ordered or two weeks later. Applying some small measure of perspective from the past to the present would suggest delayed gratification is a very valuable virtue.

Agreed. They thought I was crazy for having to wait a few more days for an item. Once I broke down the delayed vs instant gratification concept they understood my perspective better. As with using a credit card, I tend to spend more on Amazon/Ebay with justifying items I "need," so I keep them in my cart for a few weeks before purchasing.

I don't necessarily believe Amazon is bad or evil, but it's just another service or convenience that allows us to be more impatient and gaining shorter attention spans for day to day activities.

[rennigade]

Also, are most things worth it? We pay a price for convenience.

Let me ask you a question...do you have the money to afford a 1 year membership for amazon prime? If you do...and you want it, have at it. This shouldnt be something you should have to over think.

[Petunia 100]

For us, it is worth it. We live very rurally now, and even in the town to which I commute for work, there aren't many stores. We find we order a lot of things from Amazon, and all of that shipping would really add up.

[Thrif-t]

I have kids in college and have student prime so it's half the cost, so it's worth it right now.

We just got rid of cable this month and switched to streaming. We'll see if we pick up watching more shows on Amazon or not. We do sometimes but I'm not sure if it will be worth the full price in the future, probably not. But when you think about it, if you do use it for streaming it's pretty cheap $9/mo.

Probably not worth it for you. Just do a 30 day trial and cancel whenever you have lots of things you need to order, like around Christmas time. I did that for years before my kids got to college.

[disneysteve]

We pay a price for convenience.

I was going to say the same thing. Amazon Prime is a convenience service. There is always a cost to conveniences.

We shop on Amazon frequently and we really like not having to worry about shipping costs each time or when things will arrive. I just checked and so far this year, we've placed 14 Amazon orders. And we shop so much on Amazon because the prices are almost always lower, sometimes significantly so, than the competition. What we are saving on the items offsets what we're paying for Prime. I've never sat down and calculated it all but we may well save more than Prime costs us. Plus we save time and energy not having to run around to a bunch of different stores to buy what we need (and at higher prices).

[Fishindude77]

Yes, we use the heck out of it.

[bjl584]

I'm piggybacked onto someone else's account, so it's worth it from my perspective.
If I had to pay for it, probably not.
I don't buy enough from there to justify it

[myrdale]

Also, are most things worth it?

I would hope so. I typically weigh quality heavier than price. I typically weigh function over form. For the most part stuff should have a utility.

Let me ask you a question...do you have the money to afford a 1 year membership for amazon prime?

By far yes.

If you do...and you want it, have at it. This shouldnt be something you should have to over think.

At the same time, reoccurring subscriptions are not something you should impulse buy either. All of these little things add up. Just because I can afford to throw my money at something doesn't mean there is a value in it.

We pay a price for convenience.

And this is the crux of the question. Is the "convenience" worth it?

All of that shipping would really add up.

Except if you don't mind waiting two or three extra days and select free standard shipping. Granted this for eligible items over $25 which may not pertain to all of your purchases. This is the discussion I had with the co-worker, that I am getting free shipping with out paying for the service.

[disneysteve]

And this is the crux of the question. Is the "convenience" worth it?

To us? Absolutely.

Like I said, we've already placed 14 Amazon orders this year. We save a ton of time and money shopping on Amazon and we like the quick delivery. We don't always need the stuff as quickly as we get it, but sometimes we do. If we didn't have Prime, we'd have to drive to a store, hope they have what we want, and pay more for the privilege. No thanks.

[rennigade]

By far yes.



At the same time, reoccurring subscriptions are not something you should impulse buy either. All of these little things add up. Just because I can afford to throw my money at something doesn't mean there is a value in it.



And this is the crux of the question. Is the "convenience" worth it?

Who cares if things add up. Like you said, you by far have the money. Stop sweating the small things.. Its interesting...as I get older, I care less about my spending habits. And by older, im not quite to 40 yet. Only you can make the call if the convenience is worth it. Thats some serious soul searching you're going to do and really question whether an amazon subscription is worth it in 2020. This is really one of those fork in the road decisions.