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 :)

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

What links?

1. Generally, no: I'll use Google to do a general search if I already don't know where to buy it from (eg an item of clothing from M&S).

1. As above, I usually start with Google and the price comparison is partly why.

1. I don't actually use the Prime filter because I've previously found some sellers had free shipping anyway.

The name of the hotel search - I put '=' in and 'dot' so that it wouldn't. When I first typed it, it came up as a link. It's the same with Marks=and=spencer, if you use the normal format that most people use, it comes up with a link.

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

depends on the item. For interesting gift options, it would be the last, for larger specialist items I might look elsewhere first then look at Amazon reviews/prices. For anything I need fast/that Amazon is fairly good at (ie big standard stuff) yeah, tbh, Amazon is my default. I hate that it is!
2, Will you then google the item to check price on other sites? Depends on the cost - for large things I might. Probably unlikely for small things (esp as I then need to work out the p&P cost)
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 filter by prime always if speed is an issue. Sometimes not if time no object but tbh I usually find things are more expensive once you add p&P on amazon va the prime option. I have kind of assumed they monitor and optimise for this at least with anything that’s a bigger volume item.

No, neither.

I use Prime as the default for loads of odds and ends, and some regular purchases. I don't have time or head space to shop around for low value stuff.

1 Yes, often
2 Yes, sometimes (unless it's a small value item and not worth it)
3 No, I don't have Prime

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

No. I would do a general google search - but if I need something in a hurry and I know Amazon sells then that's where I go .

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

Depends on the item. If it's something I'm buying eg like Christmas shopping in November then yes I would check out all suppliers, but if it's something routine I know Amazon sell, then I'll just do a straightforward order.

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 didn't actually realise you could do this. If it was cheaper elsewhere and I didn't need it the next day then yes.

No I never use Amazon. I google & order direct from the supplier's/ manufacturer's website.

I often use Amazon when shopping in a real shop and wanting to know if their price is competitive.

If the Amazon price is more than I expected/hoped then I do a Google search.

Whether or not I use prime depends on what quickly I need the item and the delivery cost. If delivery+item cost is competitive and I’m not in a rush then I would be happy to use not prime. If I need it quickly then I go for prime as I think Amazon Logistics is excellent and I will get the item tomorrow. I’m more nervous about speed when using a small business but more reassured when they offer express delivery so I can get it quicker. I am smart enough to know that the prime price will include delivery so it’s not really free delivery but I’ve bought 1000s of items and only failed to receive two items on time so feel safest entrusting them to deliver.

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

2, Will you then google the item to check price on other sites?
Sometimes. Depends what the Amazon prices are, and whether I think they are expensive, especially for larger items, I don't want to overpay. On the other hand my 'regular buy' items I will just click on to re-buy, unless the price has gone up a lot!

3, Will you hit the filter button to only buy with Prime or would you buy from a smaller supplier on Amazon if cheaper?
Not unless I am in a hurry to get something urgently. I will buy cheaper even if it takes a few days longer.

I don’t use the app so that may be why it’s never done it for me.

Marks and Spencer

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

For many items, yes. Not everything though.

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

Generally, no. I'm relatively cash rich but time poor, so I prioritise convenience over price.

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

Yes, if I'm in a hurry. No if time isn't an issue.

I would add that the Prime filter is pretty rubbish these days, as not everything that is marked "Prime" is available for next day delivery. This pisses me off!

Maybe but any time I use M=&*=S, which is the usual abbreviation (without the star or =), it does a link.

OP... what sort of things do you sell? What category would they be in?

I start with Amazon and then compare price. I am put off if a company don't take Paypal as they sort issues out well and refund.

I don't have prime but only buy stuff with free delivery unless its an emergency.
If I am looking for something I tend to google it and quite often amazon comes up.

I don’t use Amazon at all. I closed my account in 2017 and have been happily Amazon-free ever since.

Do you really need everything next day though
Surely most things can wait a few days

1. It depends on the item. I am in Ireland and have prime. If I can get it in mu local town I will. I will also look at online Irish companies as there is no custom charges etc.
2. Again it depends on the item. If it is a relatively high value item I will probably google the prices. However if it a small value item I tend not to.
3. Unless I need the item unrgently I will buy from whoever has what I want at the best price. The last few purchases I made on amazon were from small businesses selling via amazon

Same here.

I always filter by prime because I like speedy delivery.
I recently started buying home stuff from prime as well - an extractor fan for example cheaper on amazon than screwfix
No I don't bother googling on other sites to check the price

I am currently in the process of trying to reclaim money from a business for a faulty product. Been going on months with PayPal.

The exact conversation I had with my DH was “this never happens if you use Amazon”.

I’ve been burnt by so many small businesses that I stick to big business and Amazon due to the Amazon guarantee and customer services. I’ll use Etsy and Not on the high street as again, there’s a guarantee I can obtain a refund if I need it.

Yes, as stated in my earlier post, I don't always filter on prime - only if I'm in a hurry. But if I am in a hurry, then yes, I do want it the next day, and that's why I have historically chosen to pay for prime.