Amazon Prime

[TalonStrike]

Have any of you tried Amazon Prime. It seems kind of liek Netflix. I'm thinking of trying it because I want to see the more recent episodes of MythBusters (only seasons 1-6 are on Netflix.

Foe Amazon Prime, they say that you can have a free 30-day trial period, and then "After your free trial, Amazon Prime is just $79/year." $79 a year?!?! Isn't there a monthly payment option? I'm not forking out $79...

 

[Ronstang]

I love my prime account. I order lots of stuff from Amazon and the 2 days shipping is awesome. I would have spent more than the $79 on shipping alone in the last year because if you have to wait two weeks for the free shipping then Amazon becomes tedious. The streaming movies and TV shows is a bonus and the quality of Amazon's streaming has been of higher quality with no glitches compared to Netflix.

 

[CurseTheSky]

The price is yearly, no monthly options that I'm aware of.

The free instant video selection is similar to Netflix. There's a lot of free junk, and some decent quality stuff. Don't expect to find everything you've ever wanted to see for free though.

Unlike Netflix, you also have the option of buying or renting streaming movies / shows if they don't carry it in the free selection. This is a much more compelling option than waiting for a DVD to ship, IMO.

Finally, don't forget that you get free 2-day shipping on most items sold / fulfilled by Amazon.com. And, upgrading to 1-day shipping only costs an extra $3.99 per item.

I personally love Prime and would keep it over Netflix if I had to choose.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Can't you hook up with others and all buy a Prime membership together and it still costs $79? I don't know if they still do that.

 

[CPA]

also, if you have a Kindle, you get to "borrow" one book a month for free.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Prime is great for buying stuff (Antec 20-lb PC case, free 2-day shipping, woohoo!)

Prime is good for watching video if they have things you want to watch. Missed out on Dr Who? Catch seasons 1-6 for free with Prime. It works well on both my HTPC and now my PS3, with playback that's much more reliable than Hulu / Hulu+.

Netflix streaming still offers a better selection though.

Also: be careful -- not all Amzon videos are free with Prime. Amazon has Mythbusters 7 - 8 but not free with Prime, the cost is $2 an episode.

 

[Merad]

A-Prime is awesome. Almost all of my non grocery shopping is done there now. Free 2 day shipping and overnight shipping for $4. Unless you need something RIGHT NOW, just buy it on Amazon and save yourself a trip to the store + fighting crowds, etc. The free videos are a great bonus on top of that, plus being able to check out Kindle ebooks.

 

[FoBoT]

it's pretty awesome
you'll buy stuff from amazon, which is nice because it saves a lot of time and driving/gas

i buy all our dog food and kitchen stuff, auto oil/air filters and misc on amazon now

wife has the kindle fire

 

[IndyColtsFan]

There is no monthly option. You should get Amazon Prime for the shipping and other perks and the video is just an awesome bonus.

 

[Krazy4Real]

I love amazon prime.

 

[SirStev0]

my gf likes the streaming.

 

[UberNeuman]

my gf likes the streaming.

That's what she said....

\oh wait, she did - never mind...

 

[HardcoreRobot]

cant live without it. never used the streaming

 

[SlitheryDee]

I bought into it right before they added streaming video. Even without streaming it was a fantastic deal for me, and they keep adding perks. Now there's the kindle lending library along with the free 2 day shipping, in addition to a streaming library that seems to at least approach Netflix in size. I never use the streaming service though because I also subscribe to Netflix, which has basically everything prime has and a bit more.

I still say that if you are joining prime for the streaming video, you're joining for the wrong reason. Netflix has a streaming only option that is month to month and only works out to be a couple dollars per month more expensive than prime, but you get more content and easier steaming to other Internet enabled devices. Prime is worth it for the shipping alone, and that's why I'll stay with it every year.

Edit: Also, you should make sure that what you want to watch is actually included in prime instant video. I think you still have to pay for the latest myth busters seasons even if you sign up for prime.

 

[ZOOYUKA]

also, if you have a Kindle, you get to "borrow" one book a month for free.

Is this open to all the books they offer or just a select few?

 

[timosyy]

Is this open to all the books they offer or just a select few?

I am very interested in this as well.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Is this open to all the books they offer or just a select few?

They claim "over 145,000" titles are available to borrow. That Isnt anywhere near their entire catalog, but seems to include some premium titles. For instance, all the Harry potter books will be available in June, and the hunger games is available now. That's just the stuff I noticed on the first page too.

 

[etrigan420]

I have talked much shit about Prime in the past. I'm not pulling up my old posts about it...but suffice it to say that I was categorically wrong with regards to the service.

It is actually a pretty sweet deal that, in my "evolving" opinion, is well worth the $80/yr. :awe:

Seriously...the 2 day shipping is awesome.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Anecdote #2: I needed an 8-pin PSU extension cable for my new PC to route the cable behind the motherboard.

Newegg had the cable a couple of dollars cheaper, but only if I used free shipping, that could have taken 4+ days. to arrive For the extra $2 I had it less than 2 days later (Wednesday night order, Firday afternoon arrival).

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I have talked much shit about Prime in the past. I'm not pulling up my old posts about it...but suffice it to say that I was categorically wrong with regards to the service.

It is actually a pretty sweet deal that, in my "evolving" opinion, is well worth the $80/yr. :awe:

Seriously...the 2 day shipping is awesome.

Plus, I also have an Amazon Rewards VISA, so that encourages me even more to use Amazon and my Prime subscription. I got the board, CPU, and the power supply for the rig in my sig for zero dollars out of pocket -- I got it entirely by using my Amazon Reward points. I just ordered an RC plane on my points too. I'd HIGHLY recommend that anyone using Amazon extensively and with a Prime subscription go ahead and get the Amazon VISA.

 

[Sluggo]

I love Prime, I do all the shopping there that I can. Set up a HTPC, just for streaming Amazon stuff.

 

[FoBoT]

Seriously...the 2 day shipping is awesome.

and when i don't need it guaranteed 2 day, i choose the slow option and get $1 credit in the MP3 store

 

[SlitheryDee]

and when i don't need it guaranteed 2 day, i choose the slow option and get $1 credit in the MP3 store

Didn't know this. Thanks!

 

[Brainonska511]

For the VoD, too bad they don't have a WMC plugin...

 

[Fenixgoon]

prime is the shit. i absolutely love it.