To Amazon Prime or NOT to Amazon Prime

[GloryDayz]

Sorry if Q, but I'm on the fence about doing the whole Amazon Prime thing. Seems like getting rid of Netflix all but pays for it, but wanted to ask the opinions of others in this Mecca of awesome knowledge called Chiefs Planet..

Is Amazon Prime really worth it over eBay when you buy, let's say, 5-7 items a month? I ask because I always do the "price+shipping" deal, so it seem like it's a wash at some level. That being said, "Prime" would ALWAYS mean two-day shipping, and that's something I hardly ever do on eBay, so it could be a deal that makes it worth it enough to buy 15-20 things a month. The whole "eliminating some of the instant gratification culture/concern" deal...


Oh, and I've heard that if you use an "edu" account it's free for six months (perhaps not a big deal over a lifetime!!), but is then like half the cost. Does anybody know if that's true? If so, and it' the son who has the "edu" account, how does "Dad" pull off that scam without having the kid able to buy pretty-much anything he's ever wanted?

Thanks in advance... Just looking for some opinions before I leap...

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Groves

My point may have actually been lost.


In today's stock market, when you use online trading sights, when you click the button to order some stock, other firms have worked it so that they can see what you're trying to order, and they run ahead of you and buy the stock you're trying to buy and sell it to you for a little bit more than what you thought you were ordering it for.

They make a profit without ever taking risk, because at the end of each day they don't own any holdings.

It's called front-running, and it makes billions for some companies, just a bit at a time.



I'm totally with you on saving money by shopping around, and not just pennies.

It just struck me as funny what could happen if the ways of the stock market would be applied to physical goods.

I understand the concept of front-running, and it could happen, I'd just think it'd be nice to have something search both, instantly, to see which has the better deal. But alas, I'm sure that'd just be the first move in a chess game...

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

When purchasing a complete set of golf clubs for ~$390, eBay turned out to be $22 dollars cheaper for the same exact set of clubs... Pennies?

But your point is not lost...

And if you don't like those clubs for some reason, or if the box is damaged, or there's a chip in one of the woods, Amazon will give you a refund, no questions asked. You can contact them via phone, email, or even live chat.

I won't even talk about eBay because when it comes to customer service, they don't have any.

[KCFalcon59]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

And if you don't like those clubs for some reason, or if the box is damaged, or there's a chip in one of the woods, Amazon will give you a refund, no questions asked. You can contact them via phone, email, or even live chat.

I won't even talk about eBay because when it comes to customer service, they don't have any.

This. Had an issue with Amazon the other day. Box full of stuff came and I had shampoo in the order. Some dipshit tossed them in the box unsecured and they leaked. Ended up with maybe 2/3 of both bottles left and a mess to clean up. Immediately sent an email to Amazon and within a few hours they had refunded the cost of the shampoo. Money was back in my bank account within hours of emailing them. That's service.

[htismaqe]

Don't get me wrong, I like eBay. I sell a ton of stuff on eBay. Occasionally I will buy stuff there if it's A LOT cheaper or it's something insignificant.

But if Amazon's price is in the ballpark, I always go with Amazon.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

And if you don't like those clubs for some reason, or if the box is damaged, or there's a chip in one of the woods, Amazon will give you a refund, no questions asked. You can contact them via phone, email, or even live chat.

I won't even talk about eBay because when it comes to customer service, they don't have any.

I've returned a few things and never had a problem. I'm not saying Amazon won't make that all the easier, but I've had more challenges dealing with the likes of Dell, HP, and Cisco than the 3-4 things I've wanted to return via eBay.

That being said, will that hold true for both Prime and non-Prime purchases? I was under the impression that non-Prime purchases might be more eBay'esque in that you're more than likely going to get them from a person/business than out of an Amazon warehouse somewhere; does that change how returns are handled?

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by KCFalcon59

This. Had an issue with Amazon the other day. Box full of stuff came and I had shampoo in the order. Some dipshit tossed them in the box unsecured and they leaked. Ended up with maybe 2/3 of both bottles left and a mess to clean up. Immediately sent an email to Amazon and within a few hours they had refunded the cost of the shampoo. Money was back in my bank account within hours of emailing them. That's service.

That's awesome....

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

I've returned a few things and never had a problem. I'm not saying Amazon won't make that all the easier, but I've had more challenges dealing with the likes of Dell, HP, and Cisco than the 3-4 things I've wanted to return via eBay.

That being said, will that hold true for both Prime and non-Prime purchases? I was under the impression that non-Prime purchases might be more eBay'esque in that you're more than likely going to get them from a person/business than out of an Amazon warehouse somewhere; does that change how returns are handled?

No, Prime and regular purchases that are fulfilled by Amazon are the same. Think of Prime as a red tag sale. Random items just qualify for free shipping or Prime.

The only time you could get into that is with Amazon Marketplace, which is essentially Amazon's version of eBay.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

No, Prime and regular purchases that are fulfilled by Amazon are the same. Think of Prime as a red tag sale. Random items just qualify for free shipping or Prime.

The only time you could get into that is with Amazon Marketplace, which is essentially Amazon's version of eBay.

Cool....

[GloryDayz]

OK, more questions/advice.... I see that I can have my son use my Prime membership, but I'm not sure what exactly it does beyond the obvious. Here are my questions about "Inviting him as a household member":

1) Will he, or will he not, have access to Prime video?

2) Because it's really about getting the 2-Day deal, will he need to make his own account?

3) If "2" is 'yes', will he need a credit card, or will an Amazon gift card be enought to open an account?

I guess all of this is about me trying to balance security and being a dad. He's very trustworthy, but I'm not a fool either (crap happens in college!!), so I'd like to provide a way for him to buy some things while he's in college (and learn how to plan at least two days ahead), to not have to hover over him and have him call me for every little thing, but not risk my entire future if something goes wrong.

Any advice from others who sent their kids off to college would be appreciated.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

yes, he will use his own account and see nothing of your account.
no, he cannot use Amazon prime video, unless you give him your login info.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

yes, he will use his own account and see nothing of your account.
no, he cannot use Amazon prime video, unless you give him your login info.

Ugh... So I was told I should have in make his own account and link it to mine (not sure how the "pay for the stuff" part works there), then give him my logon information but put a PIN on the purchase process.

Hmmmmmmmm, seems like if I'm going to do all that, AND have to pump "his" account full of Amazon gift card money to keep his account fiscally fluid, I might as well just give him my account information.

Like I said, Ugh... I'll figure it out...

[GloryDayz]

OK, I've been Primed for a month, or so, now and have a few questions. "Prime purchases have been spot-on - just like E-bay and paying for the 2-day delivery option. I'm still not 100% it's tons cheaper, but I don't have to stress over paying for the 2-day delivery option, it's built-in.

That being said, I've now had two non-Prime purchases that I think went very badly... One was a simple pair of shoe inserts for my hiking boots, and the other grass seed.

After waiting two weeks and having to email the seller, only then did I get told they were on back-order. Might have been nice to know THAT up front! They've agreed to 2-day ship them, so I guess that's how they're trying to be cool. Is that all i should do? If not, what should I do, and to whom do I whine (to get comped or something more)?

As for the grass seed, again, after two weeks I inquire as to WTF, and they simply say it ain't gonna happen, but they won't charge my card. Well THANKS FOR THAT!!! No shit! Again, not sure what I can do, or if Amazon will sanction them for selling something they evidently did not have in stock...

I'm not saying Ebay is better, but pound-for-pound I can say that I never bought anything on Ebay only to be told, "just joking"!

An I nuts or something? Should I ONLY buy Prime and forget the rest of Amazon?

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

OK, I've been Primed for a month, or so, now and have a few questions. "Prime purchases have been spot-on - just like E-bay and paying for the 2-day delivery option. I'm still not 100% it's tons cheaper, but I don't have to stress over paying for the 2-day delivery option, it's built-in.

That being said, I've now had two non-Prime purchases that I think went very badly... One was a simple pair of shoe inserts for my hiking boots, and the other grass seed.

After waiting two weeks and having to email the seller, only then did I get told they were on back-order. Might have been nice to know THAT up front! They've agreed to 2-day ship them, so I guess that's how they're trying to be cool. Is that all i should do? If not, what should I do, and to whom do I whine (to get comped or something more)?

As for the grass seed, again, after two weeks I inquire as to WTF, and they simply say it ain't gonna happen, but they won't charge my card. Well THANKS FOR THAT!!! No shit! Again, not sure what I can do, or if Amazon will sanction them for selling something they evidently did not have in stock...

I'm not saying Ebay is better, but pound-for-pound I can say that I never bought anything on Ebay only to be told, "just joking"!

An I nuts or something? Should I ONLY buy Prime and forget the rest of Amazon?

Never had that happen and I buy tons on Amazon. But 99% of what I buy is from amazon directly.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by penguinz

Never had that happen and I buy tons on Amazon. But 99% of what I buy is from amazon directly.

I think I've learned my non-Prime lesson. If it's not Prime, I'll prolly opt for eBay - at that point the 2-day deal isn't an issue. I guess eBay has a rule, or a warning, that tells their sellers that "Buy It Now" (which is all I've done for the last 5 years) means you have it in hand to ship. I could be wrong, but I've never had something I purchased not be there. i had problems with some of the products I got, but I've never been told they didn't have it.

[GloryDayz]

Welp, I'm Priming like a MoFo now....

1) I'm stunned at the "box" problem it brings on, I have enough boxes by trash day to build and Ark

2) Learned that Amazon Prime stuff is awesome, not-Prime stuff should be bought on eBay. (But you knew that!)

3) You have to be careful in the Prime Pantry. They're quick to not be the "Prime" you think you bought and you will pay.


But hey, the 2-day shipping is awesome! The movies aren't awesome (compared to Netflix), but to say one is better than the other takes a person who watches a lot of movies. And I think the Fire Stick might make that better - I get it through the Wii now, and that's a sad interface for watching TV of any sort!