UMVA has learned that the highly anticipated Amazon Prime Day is approaching, set to take place from Tuesday, June 23, through Friday, June 26, a month earlier than last year, and millions of shoppers are wondering if the cost of a Prime membership is worth it.
The benefits of Amazon Prime are numerous, with free two-day shipping on millions of items being the main draw, as well as free same-day delivery on over 3 million items in eligible areas, which can be a game-changer for frequent shoppers.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Prime members also get access to Prime Video, which offers unlimited streaming of movies, TV shows, and Amazon Originals, although the content library may not be as robust as other streaming services.
Other Prime benefits include Amazon Music for streaming songs, Prime Reading for ebooks, magazines, and audiobooks, Prime gaming, free photo storage, and occasional exclusive discounts and deals, making it a valuable package for those who take advantage of these perks.
But for those who only shop on Amazon occasionally, the question remains: is the $139 annual fee worth it? To answer this, let's look at the cost of shipping for non-Prime members, which can range from $5 to $10 per order, with an average cost of around $6 per order.
UMVA has gathered that the cost of individual online orders compared to the free delivery that comes with a Prime membership means that the $139 annual fee pays for itself as long as you order from Amazon at least twice a month, strictly in terms of shipping costs.
However, it's also important to consider the Prime Day factor, where some items are heavily discounted only for Prime members, but whether the Prime Day price is a true bargain varies greatly depending on the item, and it's crucial to make sure the sale price is actually a good deal before making a purchase.
The bottom line is that the cost of a Prime membership is a solid value for anyone using Amazon frequently, especially if they take advantage of Prime Day offers or other benefits, but for those who only shop on Amazon a few times a year, the $139 annual fee may not be paying for itself.
