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This is interesting. I am surprised that amazon spends only $55 extra a year on shipping per prime user. This past month alone I've received ~30 packages, all 2
by thereallurch 15y ago
This is interesting. I am surprised that amazon spends only $55 extra a year on shipping per prime user. This past month alone I've received ~30 packages, all 2 day free shipping from amazon prime. This included some very large objects like a rowing machine, and some small items like a ream of paper. Last year I had a 3'x3'x2' next day aired for 4 dollars in time for Christmas. If I were to try shipping these items the cost would be in the $300-$400 dollar range (for one month).
It's easy to think of something I need, hit amazon, select prime eligible, and buy in a matter of 3 clicks...No worry about cost or when it will be at my door.
Amazon must have a pretty good deal going with UPS (& FedEx for next day air).
- nknight 15y agoYou (and I, for that matter, at 17 packages) are outliers. Even amongst Prime members, most people won't get anywhere near 30 packages in a month, ever. The only reason I do is that I don't leave the house much (and hate doing so anyway). Most people would pick up a watch battery on the way home from work -- I go to Amazon and hit "Buy now with 1-Click".
- JunkDNA 15y agoActual shipping costs (not shipping and handling which is what you often get charged by merchants) are pretty inexpensive when operating at the scale Amazon does. My family had a small factory so I got a good sense of what the shipping cost was vs. the handling. It was very inexpensive years ago befor oil prices went up, but I suspect there is still generous slop in the shipping charges for most merchants.