Does everyone use Amazon Prime?

[4BabyCubs]

Hi All, We have a small business selling on Amazon that I started when pregnant, 10 years ago. It has become a monster that Amazon feeds on and hands us the pennies at the end :(
If anyone has time, could you answer my 3 questions below as we are trying to gauge if its worth pulling out?

1, Is Amazon the first place you look for something you specifically want?

2, Will you then google the item to check price on other sites?

3, Will you hit the filter button to only buy with Prime or would you buy from a smaller supplier on Amazon if cheaper?

I have Prime myself so am fully aware how bloody convenient it is but answers would be very much appreciated

Mods - If this post is a problem, please let me know and I will remove :)

1, Is Amazon the first place you look for something you specifically want?
No, I use google to see if any local shops have it before I go to Amazon. However I avoid Ebay like the plague.

2, Will you then google the item to check price on other sites?
I always check prices as I look at items but that doesn't necessarily mean I will go with the cheapest item. I don't mind paying a few pennies more if it means a physical shop will continue to exist.

3, Will you hit the filter button to only buy with Prime or would you buy from a smaller supplier on Amazon if cheaper?
I refuse to have Prime. If I need to pay for delivery I will see what else I can add to ensure free delivery. I have a list of "would really like but can wait" items. I don't look to see if the supplier is big or small but at their ratings.

1. (And 2) For most things but often it is just to get a baseline idea of a general price point, I would usually then search around.

1. I don't actually have prime anymore. I know a few people who have cancelled it, it used to be good value for money because everything was included but now the price has increased and the basic music streaming service is useless and even the TV/movie element half the options you have to sign up with a different service or pay again to access. I sometimes add it for a month when there's either a particular series I want to watch or a few things I want to buy and then cancel it again rather than keep a yearly subscription.

Just thought it was worth mentioning, if a lot of people do the same I imagine November/December would be when theyd be most likely to sign up for a month.

@4BabyCubs
1, Is Amazon the first place you look for something you specifically want?
No not always but more often than not
2, Will you then google the item to check price on other sites?
Yes and often search Ebay
3, Will you hit the filter button to only buy with Prime or would you buy from a smaller supplier on Amazon if cheaper?
depends on the postage price and whether I need it urgently and whether free returns are offered

If I ever see things I like pop up on FB feed I do google those as well as often FB is over-priced and also I like to check the reviews.

This is me too.

Sometimes, at checkout, I am offered a free trial for a week but I never have Prime otherwise.

1, Is Amazon the first place you look for something you specifically want?
No, I'd look at other high street / local retailers and online shopping options too but often Amazon is the easiest way to get what you need.
2, Will you then google the item to check price on other sites?
Yes
3, Will you hit the filter button to only buy with Prime or would you buy from a smaller supplier on Amazon if cheaper?
Depends how quickly I need it. I often use Prime because then I know things will get delivered on the days i'm at home.

1, Is Amazon the first place you look for something you specifically want?

• Sometimes, or sometimes I google and click on the Amazon result first if it looks cheaper. Depends on the object - I’m aware that sometimes Amazon aren’t the best value for specific things.

2, Will you then google the item to check price on other sites?

• as above. Sometimes I’ll look on Amazon first then if it looks pricier than expected or only available with additional delivery costs I’ll look elsewhere.

3, Will you hit the filter button to only buy with Prime or would you buy from a smaller supplier on Amazon if cheaper?

• no I usually search without prime delivery but I will almost always choose the option with prime delivery if it’s a good price. But if it’s eg £25 with prime delivery but £19 elsewhere, I’ll look elsewhere (but only if they have good fast reliable delivery).

For me, it’s primarily about convenience. I am willing to pay a little more for fast next day delivery and easy returns. I’ll prioritise reliable looking delivery over cost within reason. If I’m buying through a small company website, I want to see right up front that the item can be delivered within one or two days. I want the option of paying for fast delivery. I would much prefer to know the company doing the deliveries (eg I am happy if I see DPD). I will almost certainly not bother if it says “expected 3-5 working days delivery” with no option of faster choice.

This is basically because the fast immediate delivery of Amazon prime has made me really lazy and I’ll often wait till near the last minute before ordering something, because I’ve got so used to the idea I can generally get it very quickly. I’m aware this is a lazy and poorly organised approach! So if I can solve my logistical problems by paying for faster delivery on your site, and it doesn’t make the costs much more than prime, I’ll do that (especially if I can pay through PayPal or Apple Pay - that’s another thing, I really don’t want to have to create an account with you to buy a single item).

1, Is Amazon the first place you look for something you specifically want?

Yes. I live 17 miles from nearest town with a decent retail choice, so the time, fuel and parking saving adds up. Also, as others have said, I'm confident if I have an issue with delivery or the item itself that amazon will sort it out with the minimum of hassle. That's worth a lot.

2, Will you then google the item to check price on other sites? Yes for more expensive stuff. Last week I made three orders. One I diverted to ebay with free postage £50. The second I diverted to an online supplier with charageable postage £260 and the 3rd stayed with Amazon £60. They were all.delivered quickly - which is something that matters to me if I go to another supplier.

3, Will you hit the filter button to only buy with Prime or would you buy from a smaller supplier on Amazon. I prefer prime but I rarely filter.

I always filter for prime

Yes
no
no

I have prime and I do use it mostly because it’s convenient to be able to schedule deliveries exactly when I need them and will be in. I used to be very happy to shop in person but these are hardly any shops open in my local town now and even if I go to the nearest city half the time I can’t get what I am after and I’m paying for travel costs and if I need to get a cuppa while I’m out trudging the streets. Much easier to order online.

1. Generally yes, unless something I know is sold just as easily elsewhere, such as clothes.

1. I would check if it seems pricey or it is an expensive item anyway.

1. I don't usually filter by prime. Next-day delivery is sometimes a godsend, but I don't mind waiting a week for something I don't need urgently, such as a birthday/Christmas present bought in plenty of time.

1, Is Amazon the first place you look for something you specifically want?

Yes, generally (apart from clothes). I don't have a lot of time for shopping.

2, Will you then google the item to check price on other sites?

Definitely yes for big purchases like electricals. For other stuff I might check eBay and Vinted to see if there is a good quality second hand one on sale. Smaller items, probably not.

3, Will you hit the filter button to only buy with Prime or would you buy from a smaller supplier on Amazon if cheaper?

No, I cancelled my Prime membership last year. So I'll go with whoever is cheapest and also consider the shipping speed.

What do you sell, OP? Is it something you can market well, so people come directly to you to buy rather than Amazon?

I don't have Prime but do use Amazon occasionally.

For price checking, I just go to Google. Yes, Amazon comes up in the search listings but so do many other businesses.

I order with whomever offers the best price and can deliver when I need it.

I try very hard to avoid Amazon. Probably less than 5 purchases in last 3 years or so. If I do use Amazon, I may get the free offer for Prime and then cancel once it stops being free.

1, Is Amazon the first place you look for something you specifically want?
Yes, it's the first place I search because they have so many different brands and varieties of things. eg. hiking trousers (I'm a hiker) or other equipment. I find their descriptions very detailed and also recommendations for similar items useful "Other customers bought..." etc. This is better than other sites, say specific outdoor equipment sites. Also I like to use their wishlist for things I'm interested in - books, hiking equipment etc.

2, Will you then google the item to check price on other sites?
Yes, once I've narrowed down the search I google the item to look at prices. I also see if any of the other companies have special offers on or if I have a voucher. I prefer to buy from smaller companies directly. My last pair of hiking trousers were found on amazon and then ordered from a small shop in Germany.

3, Will you hit the filter button to only buy with Prime or would you buy from a smaller supplier on Amazon if cheaper?

No, I don't have prime. I prefer to buy from smaller suppliers as I said above but it does depend on cost. In the end I go for the cheapest supplier of an identical item, taking postage into account. Generally I find I can get things cheaper than on Amazon but it takes a bit of effort.

I think a lot of people just buy on Amazon though, especially people who have a prime membership, because they don't have to consider postage costs.

1. Yes

1. no

1. I’d buy the none prime one as long as the total price including postage was less.

1. No. I Google it first but Amazon usually comes up in the results. The exception it when I heed something urgently, then I go to Amazon first.
2. Yes, if I haven’t done that first.
3. I only filter on Prime if I need something very quickly. Like just before going away on holiday, for example. Or actually on holiday.

No. I refuse to use Amazon for anything. I'd rather go without. Ditto Temu and Shein.

1, Is Amazon the first place you look for something you specifically want?
No.
I tend to go for Google first.

2, Will you then google the item to check price on other sites?
No. if I’m on Amazon it’s usually because either I couldn’t easily find that product elsewhere. OR because I’m in a hurry!
I have done in the past but the cost of P&P is such that the end price is similar or more.

3, Will you hit the filter button to only buy with Prime or would you buy from a smaller supplier on Amazon if cheaper?
id go for a smaller supplier if cheaper. But I can’t deny it feels nice not to wait.

Amazon as a last resort; don't have prime as I order so little from Amazon

Is Amazon the first place you look for something you specifically want?

• Not if I know the exact product eg Pet alive rabbit I would look on search engine but random small item eg cuddly rabbit I would go straight to Amazon

2, Will you then google the item to check price on other sites? If I knew the exact product I would do this first 3, Will you hit the filter button to only buy with Prime or would you buy from a smaller supplier on Amazon if cheaper? No, but if it works out more if I need to pay for postage I would go for the cheaper option

Those are really good questions, OP. I would love to have a viable alternative for Amazon which I use too much.

My first place to look is generally Ebay rather than Amazon. I was looking for a US film (dvd) recently, Amazon is not a good place to find this product. I found it on Ebay in Australia. Ebay is more my 'go to' than Amazon.

I don't use any filter, didn't realise that this was available?

What I will say is that, if there is an alternative - i.e. I buy something from Amazon or Ebay and like the seller, I will make a point of buying from them, from either venue, until the seller pops a note in the parcel giving me an alternative route. I will then use that route.

Not totally on point but I do this with places that I stay in. I might go through 'hotels=dot=com' or the like for the first time but if I like the host (and they like me), we'll do it directly forever for all future stays. I have no qualms about the hosting sites missing out on their unearned chunk of money.

I would say to make a point of forging relationships with your buyers so that they return to you and stay loyal. Not all will but customers like me, would.

I'm sorry things are so tough for you and I hope that changes.

Edited because I really hate these links that MNHQ insert. Just because I mention the name does mean that I want to give it free advertising.

DOESN'T mean!

1, Is Amazon the first place you look for something you specifically want?**
Usually, yes.

2, Will you then google the item to check price on other sites?
Rarely

3, Will you hit the filter button to only buy with Prime or would you buy from a smaller supplier on Amazon if cheaper?
Always buy with Prime. I work hybrid so need to know what day the delivery will arrive so I can be in. I find some smaller sellers give a date range and that is not helpful for scheduling my in office days. Also, sometimes I need an item there the next day.