Amazon introduces subscription model for Prime Pantry, raises shipping fees for non-subscribers

[Polycount]

Why it matters: Amazon has been stepping up their subscription game lately. They've introduced music streaming services, TV channel subscriptions, and now, a subscription-based version of Prime Pantry. For $4.99 per month, Prime Pantry customers can get free shipping on orders over $40 and unlimited monthly deliveries. To convince customers to take advantage of the subscription model, Amazon is increasing Prime Pantry's delivery fees for non-subscribers to $7.99 from $5.99.

Amazon has been shaking things up lately for their customers.

In January, the company increased the monthly cost of their Prime subscription from $10.99 to $12.99. Shortly after, in April, Amazon controversially announced their plan to bump up the yearly price of the subscription from $99 to $119; a change which went into effect on May 11.

Now, the company is making some significant changes to the way their Prime Pantry grocery delivery service is priced. Rather than shelling out a flat rate of $5.99 per Prime Pantry order, Prime customers can now elect to pay $4.99 each month to use the service.

There's a couple of benefits to using the subscription model. For example, you'll get unlimited deliveries and free shipping on all orders over $40, which could be an enticing prospect for customers who do most of their grocery shopping on Amazon.

If you'd rather skip the monthly subscription, Prime Pantry's non-subscription fees have been increased from $5.99 to $7.99 for each order placed, which may work out to be a better deal for customers who only use the service a few times per year.

At any rate, you can learn more about the price changes -- or sign up for a free 30-day trial -- on the Prime Pantry section of Amazon's official website.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/74897-amazon-introduces-subscription-model-prime-pantry-raises-shipping.html

 

[Evernessince]

I'll pass. Amazon isn't a place where you save money anymore. It used to be you could save 15% by using their subscribe and save service but now they just jack up the price of the item 15% just for their S&S customers right before they charge your credit card. It's the old bait and switch. The prices have kept going up.

I'm just going to buy from whichever online store has the lowest upfront prices, whether that be walmart, amazon, or one of the smaller online retailers like lucky vitamin.

 

[Uncle Al]

Well said! Amazon has taken on the Walmart formula with no cost savings, less convenience and further screwing their customers ..... if you look at your history this is the same pathway so many catalog companies when down before their failure. I can't say I would be surprised to see them put up for sale in the next 48 months; it looks like they are being made to be much more "cash attractive" ......

 

[penn919]

Pantry was never a good service to begin with. In order to get free shipping, you have to fill a "box" with qualifying pantry items. All of which cost more than what you'd pay at a local grocery store anyways. Add that to the fact that it isn't even included in the standard prime subscription (which was jacked up to 119.99) makes pantry a no-go.