amazon now makes certain products exclusively available to amazon prime subscribers

[norseamd]

Amazon built its business on a simple premise: It was the place to go to buy all your stuff. Today, Amazon offers a wide range of products and services, including its own branded tablets, ebook readers, and video-on-demand solution — but the basic idea of Amazon and the Amazon ecosystem remains the same.

Amazon Prime is meant to be a value-incentive program that encourages people to pay a yearly fee to Amazon in exchange for free two-day shipping, access to the video-on-demand services, and several other perks. It seems, however, that Amazon is testing an experiment in multiple markets (both the UK and US are reportedly affected). Some video games and movies are only available from Amazon if you’re actually a Prime member.

http://www.extremetech.com/internet...rtain-video-games-movies-to-non-prime-members

 

[Red Squirrel]

Can probably just find another seller that is not prime only. They've been doing this for a while now though. I think it's BS, but not much you can do.

 

[norseamd]

Can probably just find another seller that is not prime only. They've been doing this for a while now though. I think it's BS, but not much you can do.

Third-party sellers are still available, but I went and looked, and it isnt just some price drop, any products from amazon itself are exclusively only available to amazon prime subscribers.

And there is much you can do, like ordering your purchases from other internet retailers, like newegg, monoprice, or even best buy. Not going to praise any of those, but more competitors is only good for the markets and society.

 

[Homerboy]

I'm not sure how it's "bullshit"?
I can't walk into Costco and buy without a paid membership -- is that bullshit?

 

[thesmokingman]

I'm not sure how it's "bullshit"?
I can't walk into Costco and buy without a paid membership -- is that bullshit?

Non-Primers are probably not happy Amazon is making Prime, more Prime. They started by making some daily deals open earlier to Prime users. It's just like how Costco opens earlier for Executive members or something like that. Somethings are meant for the upper crust...? lol jk.

 

[norseamd]

I can't walk into Costco and buy without a paid membership -- is that bullshit?

But that is the whole premise for stores like Sams Club and Costco. Or would you prefer that GTA 5 only be offered in Best Buy stores to My Best Buy members?

 

[QueBert]

I'm not sure how it's "bullshit"?
I can't walk into Costco and buy without a paid membership -- is that bullshit?

You actually can, you pay 10% over, or whatever the cost is. But if you just want 1 item from Costco and don't have a membership and getting one isn't worth it. You can just walk in and pay a bit more and buy the shit.

 

[thesmokingman]

You actually can, you pay 10% over, or whatever the cost is. But if you just want 1 item from Costco and don't have a membership and getting one isn't worth it. You can just walk in and pay a bit more and buy the shit.

With Amazon, then you wait until the exclusivity period is over. If you want it right then, then get it for more from a 3rd party?

Seems liek the same difference no?

 

[Homerboy]

But that is the whole premise for stores like Sams Club and Costco. Or would you prefer that GTA 5 only be offered in Best Buy stores to My Best Buy members?

No matter to me, I'd buy it from Amazon with my Prime Membership and get 15% off my pre-order + perks

 

[Pantoot]

You actually can, you pay 10% over, or whatever the cost is. But if you just want 1 item from Costco and don't have a membership and getting one isn't worth it. You can just walk in and pay a bit more and buy the shit.

That works at sam's club, but I don't think you can do that at Costco.
You can use a costco gift card though, if you can find a member to buy you one.

 

[pcslookout]

No big deal Amazon Prime can be paid monthly now when only you need it.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Meh, only The Poors don't have Prime .

 

[pcslookout]

Meh, only The Poors don't have Prime .

I disagree Amazon now uses USPS which involves many lost packages or having to pick up at the post office.

 

[thesmokingman]

I disagree Amazon now uses USPS which involves many lost packages or having to pick up at the post office.

Hey now, Amazon kept the USPS from failing.

 

[pcslookout]

Hey now, Amazon kept the USPS from failing.

The USPS deserves to fail.

 

[Ns1]

I disagree Amazon now uses USPS which involves many lost packages or having to pick up at the post office.

they also use USPS because USPS delivers on Sunday for AMZ.

 

[pcslookout]

they also use USPS because USPS delivers on Sunday for AMZ.

This is true but I prefer UPS still.

Amazon should allow us to pick.

 

[Homerboy]

I disagree Amazon now uses USPS which involves many lost packages or having to pick up at the post office.

This must be a regional/local issue.
I've had countless packages delivered (not just ordered from Amazon) and delivered via every carrier imaginable -- never had one lost or stolen etc.

 

[thesmokingman]

The USPS deserves to fail.

You trying to sound tough or something stupid?

 

[kt]

This is true but I prefer UPS still.

Amazon should allow us to pick.

It must be a regional thing. USPS is good in my area while UPS is horrible. Only time I had a good experience with UPS is when the actual delivery is done by USPS under UPS parcel service.

 

[yuchai]

USPS is very reliable in my area, and they deliver at excellent times like Saturday and early during weekdays (before I leave the house for work).

Back on topic - as a Prime member, I don't really have an issue with them doing this and helping drive people in Prime. Especially if it helps their competitive positioning and further help lower prices for the consumer.

 

[jlee]

You actually can, you pay 10% over, or whatever the cost is. But if you just want 1 item from Costco and don't have a membership and getting one isn't worth it. You can just walk in and pay a bit more and buy the shit.

I don't think you are correct. You can buy from Costco.com as a non-member with a 5% surcharge, but not in-store (with some exceptions, food court, pharmacy, and gas in NJ -- but there's no extra fee for non-members).

 

[VirtualLarry]

they also use USPS because USPS delivers on Sunday for AMZ.

So that explains the USPS truck I saw making a delivery on Sun. Crazy that they do that just for AMZN. I wonder how much they are paying USPS to be able to do that.

 

[thesmokingman]

So that explains the USPS truck I saw making a delivery on Sun. Crazy that they do that just for AMZN. I wonder how much they are paying USPS to be able to do that.

Remember when USPS was about to go under? Don't know how much they are being paid but USPS is back to profitability. The mail carrier for my neighborhood was scared too, but now they're all happy again.

In my area we get usps, fedex, ups, ontrac, and amazons on shipping.

 

[bradly1101]

We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone (who thinks Prime is a ripoff).