Amazon to raise Prime membership in US to $119 from $99 effective May 11, 2018

[matt819]

79. Do the math

Sure, you have to estimate a bit, but think about it.

Assumption: You're an Amazon customer.

Let's say the average cost of your average Amazon order is $5. If the order is sent via first class mail, you'll receive it in up to three days, depending on location. If sent via USPS Priority mail, you'll get your order in 2-3 days (3 if you're in a remote rural area). If sent via UPS or FedEx ground, then you're looking at 1 to 5 business days depending on location. And you won't receive anything on a Sunday. If you place 20 order a year or under and are in no hurry to receive your order, then give up or skip Prime.

If you need or want to count on getting your order reliably in 2 days, the Prime is the way to go, regardless of the cost. If you then factor in the number of orders you make - more than 20 based on my assumption above - then Prime will save you money. And you'll get stuff on Sunday.

I'm in a rural area, and I have no problem receiving deliveries from USPS, FedEx, and UPS reliably. UPS and FedEx deliver at the front door, USPS in the mailbox or front door depending on size of package.

Is it always perfect? No. Stuff gets screwed up now and again, but when it does, it's irritating, not critical.

As for the reason for the increase? Sure, it could be the spat with the buffoon-in-chief, and it does seem out of line when they just had their most profitable quarter ever (I think it was ever). It also seems out of line when you factor in the benefit from the tax cut. But even with negotiated shipping contracts, rates and costs do increase, and customers (like me) are probably money losers on the shipping front.

Don't get me wrong. I have issues with Amazon. The contracting out of warehouse operations and poor working conditions sucks. And I'm troubled by them following Walmart in counting on welfare benefits to supplement the needs of its employees. That inexcusable. And maybe I should boycott them. But as Amazon controls 40% of the nation's retail sales, it's going to take a lot more than my personal boycott to make a difference.