My Amazon Prime sort-of rant

[7milesup]

I find that the movie selection on Amazon Prime and even Netflix to be rather dreadful. As others have pointed out, you pay a monthly/yearly subscription and then get to pay more for watching something. My wife watches a movie every Saturday night, which costs me $5-$10 every week. I dare not complain though about that because I spend far in exceedance of that on crap tools that I need may not need.
I historically have ordered more than enough items from Amazon to pay for the shipping cost vs. the Prime membership.

 

[Flyinfool]

Even on the Amazon site itself, the same item with free prime shipping is more expensive that the same item that is NOT prime and may still have free shipping but take 3 or 4 days. You have to keep a close eye on Amazon pricing. the same item may be listed many times with different pricing in every listing.

 

[rwm]

Even on the Amazon site itself, the same item with free prime shipping is more expensive that the same item that is NOT prime and may still have free shipping but take 3 or 4 days. You have to keep a close eye on Amazon pricing. the same item may be listed many times with different pricing in every listing.

Yes that is true and I have noticed such. Typically though it is only a $2 difference. Sometimes I am willing to pay that.
I do regret the fact that Amazon is killing the brick and mortar places. Definitely a disruptive technology.
Robert

 

[KevinM]

I am not pleased that Amazon has become a monopoly. I am pleased when I order a milling vice with no shipping. Oh, gotta go, doorbell ringing. It must be some new tools........

 

[kb58]

Even on the Amazon site itself, the same item with free prime shipping is more expensive that the same item that is NOT prime and may still have free shipping but take 3 or 4 days. You have to keep a close eye on Amazon pricing. the same item may be listed many times with different pricing in every listing.

Yeah it's kind of like having a crocodile for a pet. He's okay most of the time, but don't assume he's got your best interests at heart if you turn your back.

 

[ljwillis]

I stopped using Amazon about 4 years ago because their algorithms were too good at inducing impulse purchases and add-ons, as well as everything about them that has only gotten more extreme in the time since I cancelled prime. McMaster, eBay, and craigslist have generally replaced them, along with local hardware stores, bookstores and so on. Honestly having to wait a few days is generally a good thing in my mind - that little obstacle helps you decide what you really need. I've found I can get stuff pretty quickly from eBay just by using the "distance" feature, if it's within 50 miles, say, it'll probably be to me in 2 days via USPS and that's plenty fast enough. Otherwise, McMaster is just up the road and will always be here next day. I love McMaster's no-nonsense website that is built to be informative rather than manipulative, and I'm OK paying a premium for that.

 

[Jackle1312]

I avoid Amazon as much as I can and only order if I cant find it somewhere else. My wife on the other hand orders from them first. Orders show up now with random people delivering them in unmarked cars and don't care for having random people show up whenever. Prefer to give my money straight to the actual seller and not make the middle man rich.

 

[C-Bag]

I’m going through the Reeves drive vari speed on my Rockwell UniDrill. There is a bearing in a cast iron carrier that helps slide the motor end sheave up down on the shaft to get the variable ratio. The bearing was noisy after 60yrs, go figure. Had a New Departure # so looked it up and a site gave me 6 crossover #’s. Turns out it’s a deep groove sealed ball bearing used on a driveline carrier bearing like on a truck. Called all the local auto parts, special order one week out $90+. Keep searching and turns out the Auto Zone # is a Timken #. I do the search and Amazon comes up and it’s $28, but no hint of where it’s made. Uh oh, too good to be true, but there a link to a Timken. And there’s two reviews. Both are guys with Rockwell DP’s with vari drives and are ecstatic that this is the perfect replacement to get their DP’s going again. $47 prime free shipping, in stock. Curse Amazon

 

[aliva]

Well after reading all of the above stories I feel lucky. I pay 79$ Canadian per year. I've order prime stuff on Friday and received it Monday. The delivery has been spot on as to what they say, 2 days, 3 days ,what ever. I also share my account with my kids, so the actually price per house hold is only $26>00, which I pay for, and bonus, no taxes. Concerning prime video, I'm not really impressed, older movies, poor selection, terrible sound. Netflix has a much better selection, and my daughter shares her account with me, so no cost to me.