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. yes
2. yes
3. I do have Prime but I don't think I filter specifically by Prime, I go with whatever is cheaper / free shipping.

Amazon isn't always the most competitive priced. I will look on amazon, the Google it to check the price I find eBay to be cheapest place.

Of its not bringing you joy get out if it

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

Amazon is my go to always will only really go elsewhere if amazon doesn't have what I am looking for (very rare, but don't buy clothes or normal food from amazon just everything else).

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

No - I appreciate the convenience of amazon and that most times I can get next day delivery)

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 always filter for prime.

I think that is one of the things I really appreciate from amazon. I once had an issue with something I bought from amazon using prime. The item was expensive and slightly damaged (minutely but it would have likely affected its use at times). Contacted amazon and they sent a new item out which was delivered the next day and before I had even returned (at no cost to me) the damaged item. Honestly their customer service is excellent - never had an issue with them.

I use Prime for everything (if they stock it) as, if I want something, I don't want to wait days or even weeks for it so I always filter for next day delivery. There's no point in saving a couple of quid elsewhere then having to pay for postage and wait, then have difficulties if you want to return or have another problem. Amazon's returns are easy and their customer service is excellent.

I google first, then go for the lowest price.

1. Yes, Amazon is generally the first place I go. Sometimes I might google first, but inevitably, I'll click on the Amazon link.
2. Very seldom check price unless it seems high or for larger ticket items where I want to figure out best option.
3. I don't specifically filter by prime BUT almost always select prime. I've been burnt a few times by getting things not on prime and waiting WEEKs to arrive or having something cheap suddenly double in price because I have to pay delivery.

If it isn’t an item I know I can source locally I always google Amazon first . If it looks expensive then I will google other sources . I no longer pay for prime but when I did I often used to filter if I was in a hurry .

I’ve stopped paying for prime as it seemed to be taking longer and longer for things to arrive . I always look at price first and then postage costs and often save up purchases until I qualify for free postage .

Also, to add, Amazon is so much more transparent. I bought something on Wowcher th eother day. Even though I said I didn't want membership.... i got membership. Then somehow, I landed up bying the extension of the voucher even though I was ordering the item that minute AND the item had a delivery date of 4 weeks. None of this was easy to see or clear when I was buying. Frankly, I'll pay a bit more for the convenience, transparency and reliability of the Amazon service.

Having said that, I do use Etsy quite a lot for more personalised things.

1. yes and filter for Prime when in a hurry
2. not really, unless it's an expensive or rare item
3. prime in a hurry only because i was getting tired as well of wanting something and would take 2/3 weeks to get to me

I don’t need everything next day, but when I do Amazon Prime is really the only option.

It’s either that or find somewhere that has it in stock at a sensible distance away, get in my car and go and collect it. That means a minimum of a gallon of fuel used and hours of my time.

1. Yes, I’d probably search Amazon first, or Etsy if it was more of a handmade / niche / gift sort of purchase.
2. depends on price. Less than £20 I’m probably buying off Amazon without shopping around if it’s available on Prime. If I can’t find what I want on Amazon at a reasonable price then I’ll shop around (eg I wanted some sparkly knee high socks recently, £15 on Amazon so bought from elsewhere in the end).
3. Yes will likely only buy from Amazon if on Prime, unless there are no prime options. I’m more likely to shop around on the internet if there’s no Prime options as if I’m paying for shipping I’d generally rather it be from an established brand not a pile-em-high Amazon retailer

1. If it’s an item I can’t buy locally or on my supermarket shop then Amazon is my first choice. Rarely bother to look on eBay anymore, for example.
2. I often use Google to price check, especially if it’s a more expensive product.
3. I mainly go off the price, not Prime. Definitely use Prime if I need next day delivery. Prefer free delivery.

I use Amazon for convenience and best price, but I refuse to pay for Prime.

I very rarely pay anything for postage, because I'm generally happy to wait for my delivery, and I always bump my order up to the minimum threshold (I think it's £25?) by adding things I need, like toothbrush heads, to my order.

1. Not always. If it's something I know I can easily get in the shops near my work at lunch or in the local big supermarket, I would just go there instead. If it's a bit "niche" or unusual, then yes, Amazon it is.
2. Yes - definitely. I've found some things that you think is a good price on Amazon, then google it and find it much cheaper elsewhere. I can't think of an exact example but I remember finding something half the price at B&Q compared to Amazon.
3. Yes - I always tick the Prime button (though do realise there are sometimes where non-Prime + postage might actually be comparable). I have to say I don't often realise something is coming from a smaller supplier until after the order is placed. Priority is availability and price so will buy from whichever listing looks best from that perspective, rather than specifically choosing or excluding a smaller supplier.

Yes, i buy loads from Amazon.

I only check other prices if something seems ridiculously expensive (and ebay will be my next look)

I never use Prime as we don't watch movies and the delivery time is no different. (Maybe because we live 5 mins along the motorway from the warehouse, everything comes superfast anyway. Always go for free delivery and it says a future date but always comes next day)

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

Generally to be honest yes, perhaps aside from food/clothing.

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?

Would buy from smaller supplier if cheaper generally, but depending on difference in price (i.e. if not massively more expensive) may choose to go with Prime if I needed it quickly and the cheaper option would not come in time.

Personally, Amazon prime is what Woolworth's and Wilkos was before they closed: a place I can quickly nip to and get something quickly. It's 100% convenience for me and has taken the place of a high street shop.

> It has become a monster that Amazon feeds on and hands us the pennies at the end

This is really interesting to me: can you explain more? So if you were selling something for £10 on Amazon prime, how much actually goes to the retailer?

It's the postage costs for me for other retailers - I might shop around and get something £4 cheaper, but then the postage is nearly always £5-8 these days, so prime works out cheaper most of the time.

I often have phases of trying not to use Amazon so much, but I'm inherently lazy and it's so easy.

If I'm looking for something special I might do a bit more research, but on the whole Amazon is so much easier.

I also find their deliveries and returns much more straightforward/reliable. No need to get involved with Evri etc.

I have Prime for the films etc and as I have it, do use it for free delivery. I wouldn't bother with it if I didn't have it anyway.

I think around a third of households have a prime subscription

-1. yes
-2. Yes, but prefer Amazon (for simplicity, other sites often mean another registrations which is a massive bother)
-3. yes, I do look up other options but Amazon is my quick to get option (otherwise I prefer to go to a physical shop) so for quick delivery I need to opt for Prime.

And forgot to add that we use Prime for films so using its delivery option seems more sensible.

1, Is Amazon the first place you look for something you specifically want?
Not always, it depends what I want to buy

2, Will you then google the item to check price on other sites?
Yes. I often find ebay is cheaper, screwfix, the range, supermarkets etc, but it depends what the item is.

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 have prime, but only select the prime filter if I notice the delivery date is weeks away. I then assume its a Chinese supplier and try to avoid. I also avoid if I have to pay added postage fees. I would filter it, if I needed something sooner though.

1. No
2. Not applicable. Will search across the Web in the first place, not go straight to Amazon.
3. No

I don't buy anything from Amazon, ever.