Will amazon get close to monopoly?

[Captante]

Will amazon get close to monopoly?

 

[positivedoppler]

I'm not sure why, but I just finished watching a few weeks ago Narcos Mexico and Columbia. Jeff Bezos takeover of the entire US e-commerce and then the expansion into everything else reminds me of Felix Gallardo takeover of the marajuanna drug trade and then the expansion into cocaine. So when I read here Amazon has purchased planes 😳

 

[pcslookout]

Does anyone know how close you have to be to a Amazon warehouse to get Amazon now on select items ?

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I would say within 10 miles. I know if it is 20 miles then it isn't offered. For instance, my zip code is denied, but mine was new 20 years ago and its previous code isn't denied. And the funny thing is my current zip code has more households with better income. Go figure.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I sincerely try to buy from other companies when I can. However, I'm going to say that I've really been happy with Amazon lately. We've had a pontoon boat out of the water for the past 6 years. I wanted to replace the impeller pump, propeller and hub. The impeller replacement kit was $46 new...I was able to get it from Amazon warehouse for $20. The replacement prop was $119. I was able to get it for $46. The hub kit was $45 and I was able to get it for $20..... All 3 items were complete and in mint condition. I assume they were all returns where people ordered the wrong item, but it saved me a ton of money.

Walmart's clearance section is all B&M and requires more hunting. Amazon indexes that stuff and it's searchable. I'm going to be looking for more deals in the future on specific parts. I want to see if I can save enough money buying those kinds of parts to reimburse my Prime membership annually!

 

[Scarpozzi]

Does anyone know how close you have to be to a Amazon warehouse to get Amazon now on select items ?

I think they're just rolling it out where they think they'll be profitable and still adjusting their methods. It was only in specific metro areas that I could tell a few years ago. I saw a lot more early examples for things out of Whole Foods and grocery/pantry type items....not sure these days. My market area is too small for them to come here yet.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I'm right there with you. I have bought two parts for my 20 year old Tundra and got them through Amazon sellers at prices lower than I gotten them directly partners by engaging the dealership parts department. No way that was going to happen going into my local Walmart--and certainly not my local dealership parts departments.

 

[LikeLinus]

I would say within 10 miles. I know if it is 20 miles then it isn't offered. For instance, my zip code is denied, but mine was new 20 years ago and its previous code isn't denied. And the funny thing is my current zip code has more households with better income. Go figure.

Not in Nashville. I know the warehouse location we receive all of our PrimeNow from and it's (verified via google maps) 31 miles away from us. We order Prime Now all the time and you select your two hour window for delivery. It's awesome when you need a few things and don't want to run to the grocery store. Especially during the pandemic.

Amazon loves Nashville though. Last year they started building the second “innovative robotics technology" warehouse and seventh overall in the state. They also built a large office building and run marketing and other corporate departments from there (it's not a call center, in other words). They have several other office buildings as well. They are investing a lot here.

I have noticed that almost all of the PrimeNow seems to be Uber-style delivery. It's always someone in a car. A lot of our deliveries are in the Prime (2-day) trucks that are large UPS/FedEx style courier trucks. Then we also occasionally still get UPS and USPS.

 

[pcslookout]

Dawn there is no hope for me then. We are around 100 miles give or take from the new warehouse.

Oh well.

 

[rh71]

I want to see if I can save enough money buying those kinds of parts to reimburse my Prime membership annually!

I have been able to do this somewhat by using the Better Balance Rewards card from BoA. It gives back $25 per quarter, and to qualify for it every month I just spend the minimum with Amazon Reload balance. So it's all going back towards Amazon purchases anyway. And we also do the 5% back Chase Amazon card.

As for buying on Amazon, I 100% of the time check their prices first, but if it's an item many people may sell (like a 2-yr old released new router), it's likely a better price is found on ebay because sellers there compete with each other. I also bought a trailer hitch outside of Amazon recently, on Home Depot (easy returns) because they pricematched etrailer.com when Amazon was way overpriced for the same item.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I have been able to do this somewhat by using the Better Balance Rewards card from BoA. It gives back $25 per quarter, and to qualify for it every month I just spend the minimum with Amazon Reload balance. So it's all going back towards Amazon purchases anyway. And we also do the 5% back Chase Amazon card.

As for buying on Amazon, I 100% of the time check their prices first, but if it's an item many people may sell (like a 2-yr old released new router), it's likely a better price is found on ebay because sellers there compete with each other. I also bought a trailer hitch outside of Amazon recently, on Home Depot (easy returns) because they pricematched etrailer.com when Amazon was way overpriced for the same item.

I agree. Amazon sells Prime shipping....but also marks up their items to subsidize their shipping costs. (kind of double-dips to cover those expenses) I just bought some spray paint that was $8.99 everywhere else, but paid a $2 markup just to get it. I do that occasionally and consider it a convenience fee. I definitely shop around when I can.

 

[pcslookout]

I agree. Amazon sells Prime shipping....but also marks up their items to subsidize their shipping costs. (kind of double-dips to cover those expenses) I just bought some spray paint that was $8.99 everywhere else, but paid a $2 markup just to get it. I do that occasionally and consider it a convenience fee. I definitely shop around when I can.

Yep same with the Amazon Prime Now same day delivery. My tip is always included in and always really good. I consider it the price of getting such quick delivery. It is not like UPS, Fedex, or USPS could do same day delivery so cheaply. If they could they may be able to take on Amazon Prime Now shipping. Doubt that will ever happen though.

 

[Captante]

Yep same with the Amazon Prime Now same day delivery. My tip is always included in and always really good. I consider it the price of getting such quick delivery. It is not like UPS, Fedex, or USPS could do same day delivery so cheaply. If they could they may be able to take on Amazon Prime Now shipping. Doubt that will ever happen though.

Lately it seems more products have been offering the option to slow things down for stuff that you don't need in a hurry for $1 towards a movie rental or similar. I use it whenever possible.

I can get many products same or worst-case next day in my area but I only take advantage of it when needed.

 

[pcslookout]

Lately it seems more products have been offering the option to slow things down for stuff that you don't need in a hurry for $1 towards a movie rental or similar. I use it whenever possible.

I can get many products same or worst-case next day in my area but I only take advantage of it when needed.

I noticed this for months if not years.

 

[Captante]

I noticed this for months if not years.

It's been in use for a long time but it seemed like it was relatively rare.

Never made sense to me.

 

[pcslookout]

Something changed with Amazon yPrime ears ago once they switched to mostly their own shipping vehicles on the road. I remember being able to get a chair next day delivery or 2 day delivery. Not anymore.

Guess because they don't use Fedex anymore. Idk.

 

[LikeLinus]

Something changed with Amazon yPrime ears ago once they switched to mostly their own shipping vehicles on the road. I remember being able to get a chair next day delivery or 2 day delivery. Not anymore.

Guess because they don't use Fedex anymore. Idk.

They dropped one day delivery for $3.99. But most everything else that is available through Prime is 2-day. There are some things that have a 1-2 day lead time before shipping, but I don't see that very often.

They still use UPS. I've received things that I've ordered via Prime and it was delivered through UPS ground (if close enough) or UPS overnight (if further away). They will use the overnight option to ensure the item will arrive by the 2nd day.

 

[Svnla]

I don't know why some people are so into AZ. I have a few hundreds in AZ gift cards from clients and I do not know what to buy. The prices are not that cheap plus I have to pay sale tax now. Once in a while, AZ has a sale or two but everyday prices for typical items are not that great anymore.

Tell me what to buy from AZ. I have too much Tide, Dawn, and cookies from AZ already.

 

[pcslookout]

I don't know why some people are so into AZ. I have a few hundreds in AZ gift cards from clients and I do not know what to buy. The prices are not that cheap plus I have to pay sale tax now.

Tell me what to buy from AZ. I have too much Tide, Dawn, and cookies from AZ already.

Well for one because they force other companies to change the way they do business and deliver faster.

Walmart, Best Buy, etc

I am surprised Microcenter has not done any of this yet. Guess they don't have to.

 

[rh71]

Lately it seems more products have been offering the option to slow things down for stuff that you don't need in a hurry for $1 towards a movie rental or similar. I use it whenever possible.

I can get many products same or worst-case next day in my area but I only take advantage of it when needed.

Also I like their Amazon Warehouse in Like New or Very Good condition items where it's marked down and when it arrives it is basically new. You always have the option of returning it if it's unsatisfactory. Great way to save because it exists for most items you're looking at new.

Tell me what to buy from AZ. I have too much Tide, Dawn, and cookies from AZ already.

The last few things I bought: Waterpik, smoke detectors, masks, beach umbrella, snow brush, fridge water inlet valve, microwave door switch, Razer keyboard, hitch lock... in the last 3 months. Looking at a bike rack as we speak. One-stop shopping - even with price comparisons everywhere, I end up using them that often.

 

[LikeLinus]

I don't know why some people are so into AZ. I have a few hundreds in AZ gift cards from clients and I do not know what to buy. The prices are not that cheap plus I have to pay sale tax now. Once in a while, AZ has a sale or two but everyday prices for typical items are not that great anymore.

Tell me what to buy from AZ. I have too much Tide, Dawn, and cookies from AZ already.

It's not limited to household products. You can buy technology and a massive range of other products. Prices are generally in line, or close to, what you get at retail. Plus, you have to pay sales tax at any B&M. If you're using a gift card that someone gave you, why care that it's a couple of dollars more?

I've purchased everything from keyboard, mouse, camera accessories, 4K monitors, 4K TVs, motherboards, ram, cpus, ssd, water bottles, glass storage containers, cables, headphones, and all kinds of other things. I've even purchased a guitar there. It was the same price that everyone else was selling, but I got it with 2 day shipping (free return) on Amazon from a large guitar vendor. I had $500 in gift cards and used it for a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster, lol. Never thought I'd do that.