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There's a crucial difference between what Netflix did and this. Netflix added a new lower-priced ad-supported option, leaving existing subscribers as they were

There's a crucial difference between what Netflix did and this. Netflix added a new lower-priced ad-supported option, leaving existing subscribers as they were. Amazon however is pushing ads onto existing subscribers and adding a new ad-free option to which one has to upgrade. This burns a lot of goodwill. It just ain't nice. I will be cancelling the subscription once this hits my country as a matter of principle.

nickcw 3y ago
...and the no-ads tier is only available in the US. Looks like I'll be cancelling prime video as no ads is really important to me.
- AnssiH 3y ago
  > ...and the no-ads tier is only available in the US. That's not what the announcement (https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/entertainment/prime-video-update-announces-limited-ads https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/entertainment/prime-video-u...) says: > We will also offer a new ad-free option for an additional $2.99 per month* for U.S. Prime members and will share pricing for other countries at a later date.
rerx 3y ago
While this is true, Netflix hiked prices massively over the years. Their 4K/HDR offering is 17.99 EUR per month here. Amazon Prime including Prime Video is still 8.99 EUR/month, cheaper if paid yearly, without any surcharge for 4K/HDR. So that's more than twice the price for a comparable streaming service.
- dazc 3y ago
  I cancelled Netflix and will resubscribe for a month over Christmas; they did me a favour with that one.
  - rerx 3y ago
    I just recalled that Amazon increased the price slightly last year when they launched Rings of Power. Typically I subscribe to these services for just a few months at a time, depending on what's interesting. Harder to do with accounts that are shared by a larger household, I guess.
  - beardyw 3y ago
    As an F1 fan I subscribe each year for Drive to Survive just for a month (and I hate the fake commentaries, but has some interesting content).
- DueDilligence 3y ago
  [dead]
dazc 3y ago
They obviously have the advantage of people having Prime for deliveries and the inertia required to change shopping habits. Like you, I think this is a step too far and I will gladly suffer the inconvenience of buying stuff from other retailers in the future.
- blitzar 3y ago
  > I will gladly suffer the inconvenience of buying stuff from other retailers in the future Tried it and failed. Higher prices, costly 5 day "express" shipping and questionable / non-existent return policies - the time and effort required to wade through is not worth it. I want to not use Amazon too - but other retailers make it really really hard.
  - nytesky 3y ago
    What are you buying that you experience this? Household goods from target (bonus probably not fake), electronics Best Buy and B&H, Costco for a lot of misc, and clothing from old navy and h&m etc. all have easy returns and often better prices than I see at Amazon (even for books oddly — Target must track Amazon prices to the penny).
    - huhtenberg 3y ago
      It's less about what and more about where. For example, in European countries Amazon pricing and (often) return policies are distinctly better than most.
    - bombcar 3y ago
      Between Target, Best Buy, Home Depot, Walmart and even Fleabay, I can build my own Amazon with blackjack and free shipping!
    - blitzar 3y ago
      UK, last thing I bought was a pack of AA batteries (I wanted the lithium ones) - £2 cheaper than all the supermarkets, electronics retailers etc. Nearest in price online was £1 more and £3.99 shipping.

nickcw 3y ago

...and the no-ads tier is only available in the US. Looks like I'll be cancelling prime video as no ads is really important to me.

AnssiH 3y ago
> ...and the no-ads tier is only available in the US. That's not what the announcement (https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/entertainment/prime-video-update-announces-limited-ads https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/entertainment/prime-video-u...) says: > We will also offer a new ad-free option for an additional $2.99 per month* for U.S. Prime members and will share pricing for other countries at a later date.

rerx 3y ago

While this is true, Netflix hiked prices massively over the years. Their 4K/HDR offering is 17.99 EUR per month here. Amazon Prime including Prime Video is still 8.99 EUR/month, cheaper if paid yearly, without any surcharge for 4K/HDR. So that's more than twice the price for a comparable streaming service.

dazc 3y ago
I cancelled Netflix and will resubscribe for a month over Christmas; they did me a favour with that one.
- rerx 3y ago
  I just recalled that Amazon increased the price slightly last year when they launched Rings of Power. Typically I subscribe to these services for just a few months at a time, depending on what's interesting. Harder to do with accounts that are shared by a larger household, I guess.
- beardyw 3y ago
  As an F1 fan I subscribe each year for Drive to Survive just for a month (and I hate the fake commentaries, but has some interesting content).
DueDilligence 3y ago
[dead]

dazc 3y ago

They obviously have the advantage of people having Prime for deliveries and the inertia required to change shopping habits. Like you, I think this is a step too far and I will gladly suffer the inconvenience of buying stuff from other retailers in the future.

blitzar 3y ago
> I will gladly suffer the inconvenience of buying stuff from other retailers in the future Tried it and failed. Higher prices, costly 5 day "express" shipping and questionable / non-existent return policies - the time and effort required to wade through is not worth it. I want to not use Amazon too - but other retailers make it really really hard.
- nytesky 3y ago
  What are you buying that you experience this? Household goods from target (bonus probably not fake), electronics Best Buy and B&H, Costco for a lot of misc, and clothing from old navy and h&m etc. all have easy returns and often better prices than I see at Amazon (even for books oddly — Target must track Amazon prices to the penny).
  - huhtenberg 3y ago
    It's less about what and more about where. For example, in European countries Amazon pricing and (often) return policies are distinctly better than most.
  - bombcar 3y ago
    Between Target, Best Buy, Home Depot, Walmart and even Fleabay, I can build my own Amazon with blackjack and free shipping!
  - blitzar 3y ago
    UK, last thing I bought was a pack of AA batteries (I wanted the lithium ones) - £2 cheaper than all the supermarkets, electronics retailers etc. Nearest in price online was £1 more and £3.99 shipping.