Amazon Prime is a gift that makes a whole lot of sense for just about anybody who spends a significant amount of time on the Internet, as it offers a wide variety of benefits, and generally has a free two-day shipping for qualifying purchases. But how do you know if this is the right gift for you?
Because Amazon Prime includes all the comforts of home for you, the cost may seem attractive to some people. Prime memberships are usually very affordable – you can spend up to a hundred dollars a month on just your basic shipping options, which is basically the same price as an annual shipping. And with free two-day shipping for most orders, that’s money well spent.
The downside is that free shipping is only valid in certain areas. You may also have to pay for shipping your package if you live outside of those locations. For example, if you live in a state like Washington that has a more limited number of locations, you may have to purchase the extra services of third-party shipping or a flat-rate shipping package in order to get free shipping. And if you live in a more rural area that doesn’t have many places to ship packages to, you may need to spend quite a bit of money to get free shipping.
Also, most Prime memberships include additional fees like home delivery, which you may not be interested in. And, though you will be able to use the free Prime Video service on your television, you’ll need to subscribe to a separate, expensive service for your mobile device. This means you’ll need to buy the additional hardware if you want the free video streaming.
Amazon Prime memberships often come with discounts at various times of the year. For example, you can get free shipping on all eligible purchases during the first five months of membership, as well as unlimited access to many other perks.
BecausePrime isn’t really meant for regular purchases, it isn’t ideal for people who need to have a lot of specific items for certain periods of time. People who tend to use their membership frequently on items such as clothes, shoes, etc. may find it difficult to justify the cost of the free shipping they’d otherwise qualify for when they don’t need it so much.
In addition, Amazon Prime doesn’t come with many of the conveniences of home delivery, and you’ll likely still have to drive to stores to pick up your products. Plus, you’ll probably pay a few dollars extra for the delivery option since it’s extra. Amazon Prime is primarily meant for those who may travel a lot for work, so these may not be problems, but they can certainly add up.
If you’re looking for the right gift for someone, Amazon Prime is a good idea, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be the best choice. Many people love it because it gives them free two-day shipping, but it also comes with a lot of extra extras that aren’t required, so it could be a good choice for someone who may not need a lot of convenience.
