I love Amazon Prime, I really do. It's the one service that I've kept running month on month, year on year – even after cancelling Netflix intermittently to save money – as it provides free delivery in addition to excellent Amazon Prime Video streaming services.
But I was rather surprised when an official Amazon email landed in my inbox this morning, with the shock announcement that Prime customers will suddenly have to pay for deliveries again – specific ones that don't hit a certain value threshold for same-day delivery anyway.
But before everyone, myself included, has a total meltdown and cancels Amazon Prime for good, let me summarise what the email and Amazon Prime's new delivery policy is: first and foremost, Amazon Prime delivery is still free (on eligible orders); if you select Same-Day or Overnight (Tomorrow by 1pm) for eligible deliveries then a £1.99 charge will apply to orders under £20 (those over this threshold will not incur the additional charge).
I must admit, despite living outside of the big city in a rural town in the South of England, I've been super-impressed by Amazon's rapid delivery on certain eligible products. Indeed, I've often spent a little extra in knowing I can receive specific essentials – usually printer ink, or DIY essentials when missing a specific – and now won't be able to benefit from this service.
That's going to do a couple of things, which aren't necessarily bad things. In the age of convenience, super-fast delivery on-demand puts a strain on expectations, a strain on the supply system, the staff, and the environment too. Rather than top up my basket with additional tat to reach that £20 threshold I can do a few other things: shop elsewhere in-person if really in desperate need; or just be a little more patient and wait a whole 24 hours maximum extra.
Amazon does stress in this email that "the majority of Prime members currently receive most of their Prime orders with One-Day delivery", as One-Day delivery simply isn't available for all products – and certainly not where I live. Therefore, for most Prime subscribers, this change will actually make little to no difference at all. Unless you're always buying tidbits using Same-Day delivery anyway (and you still can do this, it'll just cost you a tad more).
So what might be a shock to the system for a small minority of Amazon Prime members isn't likely to adversely affect everyone. I'm still going to remain subscribed, that's for sure, even if just because Prime is often better than Netflix when it comes to original programming, and easily up there as one of the best streaming services – not just an on-demand delivery giant.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Mike is T3's Tech Editor. He's been writing about consumer technology for 15 years and his beat covers phones – of which he's seen hundreds of handsets over the years – laptops, gaming, TV & audio, and more. There's little consumer tech he's not had a hand at trying, and with extensive commissioning and editing experience, he knows the industry inside out. As the former Reviews Editor at Pocket-lint for 10 years where he furthered his knowledge and expertise, whilst writing about literally thousands of products, he's also provided work for publications such as Wired, The Guardian, Metro, and more.
-
New Metric by Brew Watches helps you time the perfect espresso
One of my favourite retro watches just got four cool new colour ways
By Alistair Charlton Published
-
Get a free Casio G-Shock this weekend with an unexpected twist
Celebrating two time-honoured Japanese brands, this is a seriously cool watch
By Sam Cross Published
-
Forget The Rings of Power – Prime Video's best fantasy show is coming back
The Wheel of Time is still turning
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Apple TV+ now available in the unlikeliest of places
Watch the likes of Severance, Slow Horses and Ted Lasso in a rival app
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Amazon shutting down popular streaming service completely
Freevee is no more
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Amazon's biggest sci-fi hit to get even better with 80s star appeal
Vault alone...
By Rik Henderson Last updated
-
Amazon combines Harry Potter with Bake Off for a magical new Prime Video show
Harry Potter and the Gregg's Order of the Phoenix
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Amazon Prime Video scores sci-fi TV series that could be even bigger than Fallout
We'll likely feel the effect for years...
By Rik Henderson Published
-
3 best Amazon Prime Video shows to watch after The Boys
If you've been loving The Boys, here's a trio of other "Supes" shows to watch next
By Brian Comber Published
-
Amazon's biggest games adaptation back on track with sci-fi master on board
Prime Video's God of War TV series is back on after a few bumps in the road
By Rik Henderson Published