Is Amazon Prime delivery just a bit of a con?

robatwork

Richmc said:

PRIME TOP TIP!
Amazon seem to have a perpetual 99p for a week prime offer, if you only buy from Amazon occasionally and arent bothered about media streaming then this is a god send try and group your purchaces together all prime next day then sign up for the 99p trial, with a few items this can make the P+P quite expensive, you have now reduced that to 99p. After the week simply cancel prime, if you accidentaly forget and go over the week, as long as you don't buy anything after the seven days Amazon automaticly refund the subscription fee.
I've used this several times and Amazon seems happy to allow you to do so. Added bonus you can watch a few movies/programs if you wish.

It's easier than having to remember to cancel. Sign up when offered, proceed with your purchase, then immediately cancel Prime. Your delivery won't be affected plus the prime will still last for a week.

Murphybear

I’ve been using Amazon Prime for a few years now.  I watch the streaming service quite a lot and, as I live in a rural area, find that it is very difficult to get most things I buy anywhere local.   I buy them from Amazon and get them the next day most of the time.  It took a bit longer during lockdown but seems to be back to normal now.

I’ve bought a lot of things from them and very rarely had any problems.  On the few occasions I do they just send me a replacement immediately and so far haven’t requested the return of anything.  Most things I buy are under £50.  

So far I haven’t found Amazon significantly more expensive than any other place.  

Sandtree

IvanOpinion said:

I can't say I have noticed that, do you have a couple of examples?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Professional-Stainless-German-Mixing-Bowls/dp/B00U7U2HFO/

For example, £14.99 with Prime One Day or £11.29 + £2.50 delivery (£13.79) via a different seller. With the above example however there are two other non-prime examples where the total is more than the Prime price.

The bit the OP is missing is the fact that the other options are different sellers and in my experience the Prime price if not the absolute cheapest is certainly one of them but there are examples out there where the Prime is much more expensive. 

I dont think there is anything underhanded, any more than that Tesco sells some things cheaper than Sainsbury's and visa versa but, but it would be good if there was an option to set it to show the cheapest total price as a Prime member by default rather than the cheapest Prime option by default and you having to check if non-Prime options are cheaper.

longjohnjohnson

Richmc said:

PRIME TOP TIP!
Amazon seem to have a perpetual 99p for a week prime offer, if you only buy from Amazon occasionally and arent bothered about media streaming then this is a god send try and group your purchaces together all prime next day then sign up for the 99p trial, with a few items this can make the P+P quite expensive, you have now reduced that to 99p. After the week simply cancel prime, if you accidentaly forget and go over the week, as long as you don't buy anything after the seven days Amazon automaticly refund the subscription fee.
I've used this several times and Amazon seems happy to allow you to do so. Added bonus you can watch a few movies/programs if you wish.

This isn't a tip as it isn't perpetual, or guaranteed.

Once you take advantage of an offer you won't be given another for at least a few months and it could range from free Prime for a month, to 99p for a week to the current offer of £3.99 a month for 3 months.