For those of you that have Amazon Prime...

[Born2bwire]

what are you ordering that justifies the $80/year fee?

I was just looking through Amazon to buy some kitchen appliances and while it would be nice to get instant gratification in two days as opposed to waiting for the super saver, I couldn't think of things that I would have to order on a regular basis to make the membership worthwhile. I guess it may be worth it for their instant videos that are thrown in but dammit, I already have Netflix.

 

[Gibson486]

nothing. usually just wait one extra day w/o it.

 

[shortylickens]

The first time you order a big heavy thing that free two day shipping pays for itself.
Also, lots of small cheap things. UPS isnt dirt cheap, it costs money. Getting something light by UPS in a tiny box still has a price premium.
With Prime its now free.

 

[AstroManLuca]

I agree. I have it only because my wife has an edu email address. It's nice but I wouldn't pay $80/yr for it, I don't buy enough stuff. Won't be renewing once the free trial year is up in March, although I guess I'll register my own edu email address for another free year.

Remember, though, most of the people here are ATOT millionaires.

 

[PieIsAwesome]

The freedom to impulse buy. No need to group things together to save on shipping or anything. If I happen to remember that I need something now, I can just order it and it will be here in 2 days, no matter how big or small the item is. I end up with a ton of boxes.

 

[Born2bwire]

I agree. I have it only because my wife has an edu email address. It's nice but I wouldn't pay $80/yr for it, I don't buy enough stuff. Won't be renewing once the free trial year is up in March, although I guess I'll register my own edu email address for another free year.

Remember, though, most of the people here are ATOT millionaires.

That's what I am going to try, the student plan. Even if I don't use the shipping much (and honestly, I am happy with using the super saver), I think that the effective $3.33 a month may be low enough for the streaming video.

 

[Morphx2]

i live in Hobbs, NM. we have no malls to shop at and no places to really shop at for things, the closest place is 1.5 hours away

So we buy mostly everything we want from Amazon.

Free 2-day shipping. Yes, please

 

[AstroManLuca]

The first time you order a big heavy thing that free two day shipping pays for itself.
Also, lots of small cheap things. UPS isnt dirt cheap, it costs money. Getting something light by UPS in a tiny box still has a price premium.
With Prime its now free.

If it's a big heavy thing that costs more than $25, the shipping is free anyway. Sure, it's slow, but for $80/year I'll wait a few more days.

I feel like you'd have to really place a lot of orders for it to pay for itself. I place about one order from Amazon every two months.

EDIT: I guess since I live in a city I rarely need to order from Amazon. If I was in a rural area I'd probably use it more.

 

[AstroManLuca]

That's what I am going to try, the student plan. Even if I don't use the shipping much (and honestly, I am happy with using the super saver), I think that the effective $3.33 a month may be low enough for the streaming video.

The free student accounts don't have access to streaming.

 

[Schfifty Five]

I buy different things here and there: blu-rays, books, electronics, video games, etc.

Sure I suppose I could save the $80 and wait extra days for my items to arrive, but if you think about it, $80 over a year is not very much. I could easily not eat out 5 or 6 times OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR to cover the $80.

Also, I had student free amazon for a year and now I'm sharing with my brother who only paid $40 after having it for a year free w/ student amazon.

But even when I was paying $80, I would split it 5 ways total ($16/person) b/c you are allowed to share it with people.

You'd be stupid NOT to spend $16 for free 2 day shipping for a year.

 

[Schfifty Five]

That's what I am going to try, the student plan. Even if I don't use the shipping much (and honestly, I am happy with using the super saver), I think that the effective $3.33 a month may be low enough for the streaming video.

$80 is already a good value.

@ $40 it's a no brainer...so yeah man, go for it!

 

[shortylickens]

If it's a big heavy thing that costs more than $25, the shipping is free anyway. Sure, it's slow, but for $80/year I'll wait a few more days.

I feel like you'd have to really place a lot of orders for it to pay for itself. I place about one order from Amazon every two months.

I must have had Prime for a long time now. Back when I started a few years ago they didnt do free shipping for large stuff over 25 dollars. And regular Ground in my area is a darn sight slower than 3 days, so free 2 day and 4 dollar overnight is still a good deal, again for large heavy things that cost a shitload for overnight normally.

I get stuff every two weeks.
HATE shopping in stores now. Limited selection. Boxes are usually mangled.
Amazon now has better prices than most of my local stores, especially cuz of no tax. The free shipping is sure a lot better than burning gas and putting miles on my car.

I only go shopping for groceries these days, and only on my way home from school. And I just got a big box of Stride gum, so I dont even need to get dry goods at the store. Just frozen junk and fresh meat.

 

[arcenite]

It saved me peace of mind recently... the Friday before Irene was due to land Sunday I ordered an Inverter, had it overnighted for $3.99 and it was here noon the next day.

Of course, I didn't need it...

 

[cronos]

I agree. I have it only because my wife has an edu email address. It's nice but I wouldn't pay $80/yr for it, I don't buy enough stuff. Won't be renewing once the free trial year is up in March, although I guess I'll register my own edu email address for another free year.

Remember, though, most of the people here are ATOT millionaires.

After the free year of .edu she will also be offered a year (or possibly more) at half price ($40), so that's an option as well.

I have completed my free year and right when I was about to splurge the $40 my wife got her own .edu after registering for some courses in the local cc. So she's got her account on the free year now. Unfortunately this time free student prime didn't get to share anymore, so I'd have to buy things from her account if I want prime shipping.

 

[cronos]

The free student accounts don't have access to streaming.

He was referring to the $40 student prime (which is why he said $3.33/month), which does have access to streaming.

 

[Born2bwire]

The free student accounts don't have access to streaming.

Not what they are saying:

Unlimited FREE Two-Day Shipping with no minimum order size.

FREE Release-Date Delivery on video games, DVDs, books and more.

Plus unlimited instant streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with Prime instant videos.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Not what they are saying:

Woah I didnt know about the free release day for games. Gonna get the $40 student one for BF3 now.

 

[Anubis]

thinkgs ive ordered in the past year ive either gotten in 2 days or next day for 4$ more with prime

2 camera bags - sent 1 back
8 blu rays
4 video games - free upgrades to release day delivery
cook books
some jelly roll pans & a cookie sheet
Router
Some CDs
Few Books
Subwoofer - this was a next day delivery - it came on a Saturday for 4$ extra
computer case 600t is a heavy bitch
power supply
tablet
TV stand
Headphones
some camera crap

and that list will grow a lot around xmass

seriously the next day + sat delivery on the sub petty much covered the 80$ fee

i order 90% of everything i order online from amazon so its def worth it

 

[DaveSimmons]

I got a new receiver for my home theater in June, that was $100 cheaper than Newegg and shipped free with Prime.

It can be more convenient to just order from Amazon than to run around to stores trying to find something like a BonaKemi floor mop or a mildew-proof shower curtain liner. The brick & mortar stores can also have their prices jacked up if you want to buy during the other half of the time in between the bi-weekly "sale of the year".

For books, DVDs, CDs it's easier to order online than hunting through a bookstore that then is out of stock, and good luck finding a CD that isn't top 40.

Their prices on new games (for ones I don't get through Steam) are usually at least as good as GameStop, sometimes cheaper because of a $10-20 credit towards a future purchase. For older games GameStop wants you to buy used copies so that selection is much weaker than Amazon's, especially for PC games.

 

[DCal430]

Not what they are saying:

I am a member of Amazon Student, can I watch Prime instant videos?
Yes, if you upgrade to a $39 annual Amazon Prime membership, then you can begin enjoying Prime instant videos. Visit www.amazon.com/primevideos to begin the sign-up process. You will still get your e-mail alerts for exclusive deals and promotions after becoming a paid member of Amazon Prime. Learn more about Amazon Student.

So only the $39 Amazon Prime gets streaming not the free one.

Wonder why would someone do the 79 when you can do the 39. I dont think you still need to be a student to do the $39 plan.

 

[Kelvrick]

I ordered a set (4 total, 2 front and 2 rear) of new brake rotors. They were sent in three shipments, 2nd day air. Shipping heavy ass rotors isn't cheap.

It is also nice being able to browse for a gadget you need this weekend on wednesday and having it friday before I leave work without needing to go to a store and find something.

About a third of the random things I've purchased in 2011.
breville juicer
microplane graters
hot chocolate mix
qtips
rc helicopters
ear plugs
boning knife

EDIT: Also helps for the birthdays I forget about.

 

[gorcorps]

IMO it pays for itself at Christmas alone. Last year I did all of my christmas shopping + holiday b-day shopping with it and it was glorious. No people, no stores, no lines, best prices and right to my door.

 

[cronos]

So only the $39 Amazon Prime gets streaming not the free one.

Wonder why would someone do the 79 when you can do the 39. I dont think you still need to be a student to do the $39 plan.

It's only offered to people who just completed their free year of student prime.

 

[Dirigible]

Some of the things I've ordered with Prime in the recent past:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q7K3XM
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005068A
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AR0I4
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039H2W66
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002UP0IA
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SJN4U6
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002N7SD
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MK3GFS
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004UG41XW
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017T6R6Y

 

[IndyColtsFan]

what are you ordering that justifies the $80/year fee?

I was just looking through Amazon to buy some kitchen appliances and while it would be nice to get instant gratification in two days as opposed to waiting for the super saver, I couldn't think of things that I would have to order on a regular basis to make the membership worthwhile. I guess it may be worth it for their instant videos that are thrown in but dammit, I already have Netflix.

I order everything I can from Amazon, for two reasons:

1) I have Prime
2) I have an Amazon Rewards card

You can even order things like cereal, deodorant, etc. and have them delivered on a subscription. My wife and I probably order at least twice a month from Amazon and I ordered most of my Christmas gifts from them last year.