OK, so I know I’m doing two Amazon-related posts in a row (the Kindle price drop was just before this one). But I just got an email from Amazon that made me happy – they are improving their already-awesome Amazon Prime shipping features. In case you weren’t already aware, Amazon Prime is an annual, fee-based program that gives you automatic upgrades to free 2nd-Day Air shipping for any Prime-eligible item.
The big news is that they have improved Prime so that items ordered on Thursday will be delivered on Saturday now, instead of Monday. Gotta love it – here is the blurb I got:
Why is Prime handy?
Other than just wanting things ASAP, I like Prime for a couple of key reasons:
- I often order presents for friends and relatives in other states. I love being able to order something knowing it will show up 2 days after I place the order – it makes the gift seem even more special or important, and it gives me the freedom to wait until almost the last minute before ordering.
- This is especially valuable around Christmas, when I can order things until December 22nd and they’ll still arrive on Christmas Eve. Note that this even helps if you’re going to your relatives’ house – you can ship the gift (pre-wrapped by Amazon, if you wish) and not have to worry about trying to carry it on or putting it in your checked luggage.
- Sometimes I ‘need’ a gadget before a trip, and I only realize it at the last minute. Because of Prime, I can order a couple of days before I leave and still get it in time (in some of these cases, I’ll buck up for Overnight shipping for an extra $3.99 – very handy when you need it.
Amazon Prime costs $79 per year (averaging to a bit more than 6 bucks a month), and I know it saves me much more than that every year. Not sure if it's for you? Give it a try - they'll let you take a test drive for 30 days - just click here if you want to take an Amazon Prime free trial.