Why does Amazon do this?

[GomezAddams]

I've noticed that almost every time I order something from Amazon and use free shipping (which I always do because I'm a tight-ass), they sit on the order for a week, then ship overnight or 2nd day to hit their original receive-by date.

Are they spending extra money to insure that it takes me 10 days to get my order such to discourage me from using free shipping in the future?

 

[bsman]

If you live out in East Jesus, I'm not surprised. Here in the lovely Valley of Heart's Delight (i.e. Silicon Valley), I normally get free-shipped-Amazon-Prime stuff that day or the next. Makes it too damn tempting, if you ask me.

 

[reverend1]

I've noticed that almost every time I order something from Amazon and use free shipping (which I always do because I'm a tight-ass), they sit on the order for a week, then ship overnight or 2nd day to hit their original receive-by date.

Are they spending extra money to insure that it takes me 10 days to get my order such to discourage me from using free shipping in the future?

It’s cheaper wait until you can fill the truck. You get a substantial discount, more than enough to justify the upgraded shipping.

 

[bsman]

It’s cheaper wait until you can fill the truck. You get a substantial discount, more than enough to justify the upgraded shipping.

Is this your house?

 

[Jbird]

I almost always receive mine on the 2nd day after ordering

A guy I used to work with hired in to the new amazon warehouse they built in Louisville, KY a couple of years ago. On FB he was always saying how great his job was, that the stories of management treating the employees bad were untrue, etc. In the past few weeks I see on FB that he's been hunting for a new job. I guess he doesn't like it there, after all.

 

[Tralfaz]

While I don't doubt it's cheaper to wait until the truck is full, why would that take a week and a half? It's Amazon! Tons of stuff is shipping out of every warehouse every day.

I'm convinced they piddle around so that you'll finally break down and sign up for Prime. Back in the days before Prime, the free shipping stuff always went out the next day.

The few times I've ponied up the dough and used Amazon's next-day or same day shipping, I've been disappointed. They always miss the target arrival date, and once that happens they no longer give a rat's ass and the package takes a week or more to arrive. You either suck it up buttercup, or go looking for the secret path to getting a refund on your shipping cost.

 

[Chad]

If you live out in East Jesus, I'm not surprised. Here in the lovely Valley of Heart's Delight (i.e. Silicon Valley), I normally get free-shipped-Amazon-Prime stuff that day or the next. Makes it too damn tempting, if you ask me.

I've got a huge Amazon distribution center a few miles from me. I get everything next day and a few things same day with Prime.

 

[reverend1]

Is this your house?

Haha, no. I normally don’t use amazon. I’m not a fan but I have shipping contracts so I know how it works. It’s about filling the truck to the distribution center for the carrier.

 

[DdBob]

While I don't doubt it's cheaper to wait until the truck is full, why would that take a week and a half? It's Amazon! Tons of stuff is shipping out of every warehouse every day.

I'm convinced they piddle around so that you'll finally break down and sign up for Prime. Back in the days before Prime, the free shipping stuff always went out the next day.

The few times I've ponied up the dough and used Amazon's next-day or same day shipping, I've been disappointed. They always miss the target arrival date, and once that happens they no longer give a rat's ass and the package takes a week or more to arrive. You either suck it up buttercup, or go looking for the secret path to getting a refund on your shipping cost.

I think you nailed it here...they figure since you want to use free shipping that you are a potential canidate for Prime since that uses 2 day free shipping and sometimes overnight.

Honestly you should just bre4ak down and do Prime if you order more than a few things online (and who doesn't these days). I realize some might want to give the finger to Amazon or feel they are by not boosting their sales and using Prime but then again why did you order from them in the first place? Just sign up for Prime and everything will come in 2 days or next days....

Hope this helps.

 

[GomezAddams]

I'm not buying Prime because:

1. Generally, getting things in 10 days is good enough. If one is going to be a successful tight-ass, one must have patience.
2. I have Netflix, and Amazon Prime's video selection stinks.
3. Amazon's music player is OK, but Spotify is better, and I get that as part of a family deal that my daughter pays for.

 

[335clone]

I'm not buying Prime because:

1. Generally, getting things in 10 days is good enough. If one is going to be a successful tight-ass, one must have patience.

You get what you (don't) pay for.

With prime, you can pick and choose between multiple sellers. Hint: if it says amazon fulfillment, it will be on your doorstep the next day, unless you live in EBFE.

 

[DdBob]

I'm not buying Prime because:

1. Generally, getting things in 10 days is good enough. If one is going to be a successful tight-ass, one must have patience.
2. I have Netflix, and Amazon Prime's video selection stinks.
3. Amazon's music player is OK, but Spotify is better, and I get that as part of a family deal that my daughter pays for.

as 335 said below if yer prime you can pick and choose sellers and 99.9 percent of third party sellers deliver "fulfilled by Amazon" so it ships just the same ...I can count on three fingers the times I had a late delivery and I've been prime since 2008 or there abouts......and I order on average at least one thing per week.

sooooo....if you truly are a tight ass then it makes all the more sense to become Prime because Amazon always has the cheapest prices AND the prime annual fee will pay for itself....you can also save on gas and wear and tear on your car to the store so in the long run it is even more money saved ....i.e. you become a truly successful tight ass because of prime.

also Having both Netflix since about 2008 AND Amazon I can say Amazons prime movie selection (the ones you get included no charge) is dependsing on you viewing vastly superior to netflix....so many more documentaries and obscure stuff. If you include Amazons videos you would have to pay for (the same rental price as Apple or Google) then it absolutely blows to shit Netflix. Netflix is only good anymore really for their self produced shows. (Hulu has better television show selection, Amazon has a larger Video library)

 

[2manband]

As others have said, its to get you to sign up for prime. Cancel a few pending orders for the reason that "order would not arrive on time" and theyll stop delaying the shipment. Works for about 6 months.

Or get prime. I resisted because it annoys me to pay for something that used to be free (fast shipping) but we got it as a gift. They actually have some good kids shows, so OK.

 

[DdBob]

As others have said, its to get you to sign up for prime. Cancel a few pending orders for the reason that "order would not arrive on time" and theyll stop delaying the shipment. Works for about 6 months.

Or get prime. I resisted because it annoys me to pay for something that used to be free (fast shipping) but we got it as a gift. They actually have some good kids shows, so OK.

that's thinking about it wrong thong though....

"Fast shipping" was never free. With a Prime membership you are initially paying for "expedited shipping" and that being two day shipping (they plan to make many things 1 day soon). Your average 2 day shipping from anyplace is around 15 dollars and if it's a heavier item then the price goes up. If online is taking over the brick and morter then it's not unrerasonable to expect fast shipping. Let's say you need an auto part or a tool, a baby item or something....who can wait 10 days ? I mean if you pay the 119 dollars for a yearly prime membership it saves....not even factoring in movies, etc and only looking at shipping. You only need to make about 7 or 8 orders and it pays for itself (2 day shipping and if it';s over 35 dollars some things even ship same or next day) plus there's perks like you can schedule your delivery day.

BTW ...disclaimer "I do not work for Amazon"

 

[Peen Simmons]

I dislike the Amazon shopping experience and their cruddy treatment of employees makes it easy to find somewhere else to shop. I refuse to pay $100/year for the privilege of fast shipping on shit that I impulse bought online while tipsy.

Rare is the item I need TODAY that is unavailable at a local brick and mortar. And for other shit, I can wait.

 

[shoeless]

I've noticed this too, when I haven't bought using Prime. It is just as you said, they seem to do nothing with the order for a few days, then ships just like it would with Prime. I can only assume they do this because they want you to get frustrated with the delays and pony up for Prime service.

I don't buy enough from Amazon to justify the expense of Prime. Luckily my daughter does though, so I just use her account if I need something fast.

 

[DdBob]

I dislike the Amazon shopping experience and their cruddy treatment of employees makes it easy to find somewhere else to shop. I refuse to pay $100/year for the privilege of fast shipping on shit that I impulse bought online while tipsy.

Rare is the item I need TODAY that is unavailable at a local brick and mortar. And for other shit, I can wait.

for myself there are many times I have needed a specialty tool for work and/or want a tool that makes my job easier. No brick and morter store carries it and the tool truck might have it on the truck or they can certainly get it for the following week BUT of course it is 3 or 4 times the price because it has a certain name on it. Then there are other things which of course not carried at the brick and mortar.
The pros of Amazon is....selection, price, availability and speedy shipping. Also a uniform shopping experience, a known and reliable seller.

the cons of Amazon....you are contributing to a monopolizing of business (this is currently a catch 22), and contributing to unfair worker conditions (although if I could land a jib driving one of them Mercedes Benz euro van....oh yeah! )

at the end of the day DdBob does and has done for over 20 years 99 percent of his shopping online because DdBob is particular and stores even before Brick and Mortar decline became news was an issue. In fact it was inevitable because of business 101...i.e "overhead" volume equals decline in prices...supply and demand. A B&M can only afford to stock the most popular items, colors, sizes because of higher overhead...ie.e rent, taxes, etc.

So DdBob also shops smaller business and independents and tries to when he can but the war has already been won....Trying to boycott Amazon is like wearing a "kill your Television t shirt" whilst posting on Reddit or uploading an instagram

 

[2manband]

as 335 said below if yer prime you can pick and choose sellers and 99.9 percent of third party sellers deliver "fulfilled by Amazon" so it ships just the same ...I can count on three fingers the times I had a late delivery and I've been prime since 2008 or there abouts......and I order on average at least one thing per week.

sooooo....if you truly are a tight ass then it makes all the more sense to become Prime because Amazon always has the cheapest prices AND the prime annual fee will pay for itself....you can also save on gas and wear and tear on your car to the store so in the long run it is even more money saved ....i.e. you become a truly successful tight ass because of prime.

also Having both Netflix since about 2008 AND Amazon I can say Amazons prime movie selection (the ones you get included no charge) is dependsing on you viewing vastly superior to netflix....so many more documentaries and obscure stuff. If you include Amazons videos you would have to pay for (the same rental price as Apple or Google) then it absolutely blows to shit Netflix. Netflix is only good anymore really for their self produced shows. (Hulu has better television show selection, Amazon has a larger Video library)

I dont agree with the first part of this. Before Prime was a thing my orders always shipped out within 1-2 days of being placed, using standard free shipping. I never had to wait very long for them to leave the warehouse.
Since Prime was implemented, anything I order without Prime (Prime is on the wifes account) consistently takes 7-10 days before it even starts the journey.

There is a deliberate gaslighting effort to degrade non-prime service so people sign up. And that just kinda chaps my ass.

 

[Bob411]

To answer the thread title question,
"Why does Amazon do this?"

Maybe they couldn't find a box or, maybe they want you to shop somewhere else. As to the second possibility, I oblige them as much as possible. Small town, no modern speed internet available so the perk of prime does me no good. Fuck them if they think I'm going to give them $120 a year. Next time try ebay. Read the reviews, especially look for comments like "slow to ship".

 

[DdBob]

I dont agree with the first part of this. Before Prime was a thing my orders always shipped out within 1-2 days of being placed, using standard free shipping. I never had to wait very long for them to leave the warehouse.
Since Prime was implemented, anything I order without Prime (Prime is on the wifes account) consistently takes 7-10 days before it even starts the journey.

There is a deliberate gaslighting effort to degrade non-prime service so people sign up. And that just kinda chaps my ass.

I really don't see a problem...First off ...Point A... it's free shipping! If you don't want to wait then either pay the going rate for standard shipping or sign up for Prime which leads to point B which is many people pay "club" memberships for Costco and the like so just think of Amazon like Costco but on steroids and it allows people who don't pay a membership fee to also shop.

I have shopped at some small businesses online which offer free shipping. A couple of them had the op[tion to apply that to priotity mail or 2 day UPS which meant at the end it was like 8 bucks shipping or as stated I coulda had totally free but a delivery time of up to 14 days I think but fuck that noise. if I'm paying money in this day and age then I want my purchase within 10 days at the latest. This is not the old days of filling out a mail order and waiting.
I would suggest just don't be so cheap and pay the standard shipping and/or take youyr business elsewhere Also always check shpping faqs and take note on specific seller ...is there a lead in time? Not sure why anyone would shop non prime through Amazon anyway unless Amazon is the only place selling it.