"exclusively for prime members" - so annoyed

[cujo]

this is actually an are they being unreasonable?

so I've actually registered to post this as I'm so annoyed with amazon.

I went on maternity leave a couple of years ago and found myself buying more and more from amazon. its convenient for me, I don't have to trek out to the shops with children, and there are plenty of options so I generally can buy what I want. yes I'm aware that there are tax issues, and people do avoid using them, but they also tend to have the best prices - this is important to me.

I look at this prime option and think I don't want to pay the extra money for quicker delivery, as I plan in advance and allow the time for the slower free delivery. so I'm careful not to get caught out when I buy my things from them, and everything seems ok.

until yesterday when I go to buy more nappies.

my money is now no good anymore, as the nappies I have purchased the last few years are now not available to me anymore, but exclusively for prime members.

so this is their latest trick to get everyone to sign up to prime - withdraw products that were previously on general sale to just their special member club people.

it feels like coercion. I know the answer is don't use them, and I'm going to explore other options for everything else I buy too, but its so handy for me. I'm feeling very annoyed today.

has anyone else been affected by this?

[thatstoast]

No, I know Amazon family members (version of prime) get discount if they subscribe to deliveries every month but the product should still be available to non prime customers. What product is it?

[Bodicea]

Yes, I hadn't looked into it. Was just confused why I couldn't find the add to basket button last time i tried to buy. How annoying!!! Is it the same for baby wipes too. They are another regular purchase.

[TelephoneIgnoringMachine]

That's crap! What product is it?

[cujo]

its just pampers nappies I want to buy! not super special or out of the ordinary!

so its wipes as well then? grrrrr! I like having these thing delivered as they are so bulky and heavy. plus its always comforting to have some 'stock' at home!

I have looked at the family thing has a subscription service, but I was always worried about signing up for that as the nappy sizes/products change over time, and I couldn't confirm exactly how often I'd want to buy them.

[swazza]

I have had similar. Amazon always used to be my first option for buying pretty much anything. Not just for price but also convenience and because they have always been quite reliable.

However, they started to do this and its no longer convenient for me - as I keep finding what I want/used to buy is now for the SPECIAL CLUB. I then find myself searching amazon and other websites for the same, better or similar deal - therefore its now pointless considering Amazon as a first option.

I am slowly getting used to it but now have a few other websites that have become first choice when looking for something. Amazin is waaay down my list these days!

[thatstoast]

Just did a search without being logged into Amazon and it seems to apply to a lot of pampers stuff. Personally, I wouldn't be without prime as I order a lot from Amazon and use their instant video and kindle library so it's good value for me. It does seem sneaky to withhold products from other customers though.

[AuntieDee]

I'm a prime member and it's great. You get free next day delivery for anything you buy and also subscription to Love Film. I think it's £76 a year...

[GoooRooo]

I resisted Prime for ages as I resented paying for fast delivery.

However, I recently relented and tried the 30 day trial. I won't be cancelling it - it's been really useful having things delivered the next day and I love the instant video service.

I agree with you though that withdrawing products is sneaky!

[threegoingonthirty]

Cheapest wipes around are Boots own brand, if you buy in bulk they are something like 12 packets for £9 and they have a proper lid so they don't dry out. if you buy a load of nappies too and need other stuff they deliver for free if you spend over £45.

[MiddleAgedandConfused]

Many of the products available with Prime are more expensive than when ordered through other delivery routes. You need to check very careful or you end up paying well over the odds.
it used to be a good service - now it is just a scam. Won't be renewing our membership.

[MaidOfStars]

We paid for Prime when it was just the delivery thing. Well worth it.

Instant video plus massive price rise - no thanks.

[Dakiara]

Yeah, that really peed me of too. On the plus side, I toilet trained her and now don't have to get them from there or anywhere else, so Ner Ner to Amazon!

If they keep doing this though it will be really galling to shop there as much, so I can't quite see their logic tbh.

(I may have had too many days of Easter holidays and have started to resemble my children arguing)

[MarwoodsMate]

They ABU, but they'll get away with it because people will continue to use them due to price and convenience too. As you said yourself, some people avoid them because of the media coverage re how they pay tax, but most people, like you OP (and me ), find the prices too alluring!

[GoogleyEyes]

Have you tried the supermarket nappies? I ended up preferring Tesco economy ones (though they're all fine, ime) , and then you can stock up easily at the same time as doing an online grocery shop.

[Dakiara]

Aldi ones are good imo too. :-)

[cujo]

I just can't justify paying almost £80 for faster delivery - which is in truth the only thing that would benefit me. streaming and books - no relevance at all.

I have tried a couple of the supermarket brand nappies, and they are fine, no real problems. it just always worked out the same price (with less hassle) to buy the pampers ones in bulk from amazon. I tried to keep an eye on them and catch them when they were at the lower end of their pricing wheel too!

well their convenience has completely vanished, they are just a glorified browser for choosing products for me now. looking on my account I've placed 125 orders with them in the last two years, and I can't be the only one this will infuriate enough to stop using altogether!

might look at boots instead, and just plan slightly better to get freed delivery. mmmm more points for nail varnish ;)

[WatchOutForGoblins]

We have pamper a on subscribe and save for ds. He is eight and we rarely get his size in the supermarkets anymore. However, I am with you, op, as we have been told they are no longer available. So it looks like it is back to we'd beds every night. :( we have been referred to the enuresis clinic so hopefully we can get some off them?

[Notso]

Aldi nappies and wipes are brilliant. I only ever used pampers disposables before but DSIS was given a years supply of Aldi ones as a gift when her son was born. I used one of hers when we were visiting, it was fab and cheap. The wipes are great too. DH goes once a month on his way back from work and buys a load. It's a shame I'm late to the party with them as DS only needs them at night now.

Other than that Asda are very cheap for Pampers and you could do click and collect or get delivery.

I agree Prime is a rip off. I do the free month trial every year around Christmas but it's not worth paying for.

[cujo]

so I just called pampers consumer care line

they are aware of this change by amazon but have no control over it apparently

I wonder if they will find some more control if their supply levels start to drop...

[confusedaboutparenting]

if you look it is only if you buy from amazon direct that you need to have prime to get from, you can still get from other sellers using amazon, just not as cheap as amazon do them

[Rainbunny]

Well they are business not a public service and there are other options to get nappies. If other nappy options are more expensive then you hardly blame Amazon for trying to boost their profits since they sell them cheaper.

[bette06]

Try this comparison website for other options. Amazon aren't necessarily always the cheapest - especially if you have to factor in a hefty membership fee on top of the price of the goods.

www.bumdeal.co.uk/

[MooMaid]

Second aldi wipes here. We've just bought nappies from there although yet to use them but very impressed with the wipes

[parallax80]

I swear by Boots own brand nappies (though Sainsburys are pretty good too) if that's any help. I did mainly get into them as it's difficult to find size 0 nappies for 5lb-ers but they have been great.

[FreeButtonBee]

I am with you OP. I have twins and work 4 days a week. Also pg; nappies and wipes and wipes delivered was a god send. Can't justify the price of prime and I really hate checking each of the supermarkets with their constant changing pack sizes and offers. With Amazon, I knew the good price point and would buy 300 nappies at a time. Pampers workfor both my DTS and dtd which is no mean feat.

No impressed