" The driving from store to store only to leave empty-handed. I can shop and find what I'm looking for from the comfort of my home 24/7. "

Exactly.

Another habit I've developed that significantly saves me brain time and actual time is using curbside pick-up services for grocery shopping. You know, the approach that developed for most stores during the pandemic.

I usually don't use it for items I want to see and choose myself, so rarely for produce or meats. But let's be honest - where in this particular store does one find capers? Is Dijon mustard near the salad dressing or near the mustard? Etc. I always buy the same brand and size of mayo, do I need to see what else is on the shelf?

Each store keeps a record of prior purchases and I can go through the Buy Again lists in just a

few minutes. Enter the order and wait until the scheduled time I've selected. I go when they tell me the order is ready and it's usually a touch and go landing taking less than 5 minutes. Safeway in my area tracks my arrival by proximity and so it knows when I'm 5 minutes from the store and lets me know they know so. Whole Foods (thanks Amazon) tracks me all the way to the parking lot and the team member is usually waiting for me as I drive up.

There's no need to spend more time than necessary. I guess if I were really lazy, I'd use the home delivery services several offer, and some are free.

There's no need to waste 30 minutes or more grocery shopping, sometimes with frustration when this or that item can't be found. Small stores where we make limited purchases, like Trader Joes, that's different. But for mainstream grocery shopping, the "new way" is a big improvement.

I don't drive a car so I get my repeat boring groceries delivered. I buy other stuff on line because the range is greater than in any shop, I can't transport anything that doesn't fit in a rucksack and the goods are brought to my door. I still buy clothes, footwear and fresh food in person and I do it by walking from shop to shop looking. I'm not going to spend time doing that for toilet rolls or potting mix.

To go back to my OP. I'm trying to alert people who do have Amazon Prime that they are adding on an enhanced service that you may not want, and you will be charged for it after a trial period if you aren't paying attention, and you must go to your account in order to cancel the enhanced service before you are charged.

I don't mind the back-and-forth discussion about the usefulness of Amazon Prime service. This applies to the TV streaming service only, which is otherwise bundled with the AP's other services.

Are they adding that enhanced service automatically, or you have to opt into the trial period. Those things are not usually added without opting in. If you do opt in, and you decide it's not worth it, you have to remember to cancel before being charged.

still trailing - that's called progress/innovation. It's always happened and people always yell about whatever replacing jobs. Self checkout lanes. Less cashiers. EZ-Pass. No more toll takers. People adapt. AI is just the latest thing. Note: AI has all kinds of other dangers.

I've worked in IT my entire life and basically what I do it create applications that make things easier and companies need less people to do the same job. Companies and people adapt.

" Curbside only works IF they have what you want. Most times they do not! "

This might vary with the locale and also with the particular store chain or location.

I rarely, bordering on never, fail to get something I've requested.

The two store chains I mentioned, of which I sometimes use different locations, ask the customer to list acceptable substitutions if any, or to state, No Substitutions, for each item. These rarely come into play too, maybe an item or two every third order. Sometimes the picker will call me and I've had them send me photos of the shelf to allow me to decide. It's never been a problem. Sorry it doesn't work as well for you.

Edit to add the quote.

You have to opt in. Therefore, IMO, not sneaky.

That was my impression too. Prime video is free to all members. They only recently added commercials and now the ability to upgrade/opt in by paying to go ad free. For as often as I watch something on Prime I can ignore the few commercials.

Yes. You do have to specifically choose the no ads service. It doesn't happen without your knowing. And, so far, as I remarked above, the ads have been few, short and just trailers for other Amazon shows. They're at the beginning and don't interrupt what you're watching.

I couldn't find anything about an addition subscription for $8.99 for Prime. I pay 2.99 for my prime to be ad free. What I COULD find was a standalone Prime video service at $8.99 monthly, with an addition $2.99 to make that ad free, which seems to be for people who want Prime video without a full prime subscription. Maybe its a regional thing. I get on Prime video everyday. I like to have something familiar and pleasant in the background when I go to sleep, and nothing has come up regarding an addition $8.99 charge. So again, maybe its just for some people. Sometimes companies roll out these type of things in select markets as a test.

" I don't understand why people begrudge Bezos his wealth "

I don't begrudge him the money, I begrudge his ostentatious behavour and attitudes about his money. I begrudge is limited philanthropy. I don't begrudge Bill & Melinda (French) Gates or Warren Buffet their money. I don't begrudge MacKenzie Scott (Bezos ex-) her money.

" I am more questioning the need to spend the money for Prime when most things people "need" or want will ship for free, but will take a day or two longer to receive. "

I think it's weird to ask why people don't want to wait 3 or 4 days for something. Why do you care, and what do you think is wrong with people willing to pay more for better service that suits them? Sure, we used to wait longer for commercial goods, we used to wait longer to heat up water, we used to walk to school, we used to make our own clothes.......So what? The world changes, our environment changes, and so our expectations change. That's not necessarily wrong.

Keep the stockholders and the customers happy screw the employees at every opportunity.

Well, duh. That's the mantra of just about every international service company. Amazon is not unique, they're just better known.

@Toronto Veterinarian I didn't mean to get anyone all riled up! I am genuinely interested why people would spend money for something that is already free (if they don't watch prime movies or have to pay extra for the ones they want to watch). The few times I've ordered (always over $35, so get free shipping without Prime) stuff comes really quickly and I haven't ever really needed something overnight...2 days is plenty quick for me! But people explained why they are willing to pay it and it's worth same day knitting needles or coffee carafes and other things that they can't just run out and find.

So, my question was answered, my curiosity is satisfied. I honestly DON"T care, it was a good place to ask people and find answers. It has mystified me for some time.

I do not have Prime but delivery for me is not 2 days. It sometimes takes close to 10 days to get here while my DD gets next day delivery with her Prime.

@RNmomof2 zone 5 do you think that could be affected by proximity .to Amazon Warehouses? I wonder if Prime members far from warehouses have next day delivery?

I was going to say RNmom, unless it has changed, it is often 2nd day delivery, subject to location and availability, and that is AFTER the item ships. I think we did a trial woth Prime -- might have been to get something to a son in college, and then went back to regular shipping. I live outside a major city, so we get faster shipping times, but and item sometimes didn't ship for several days and actual delivery could be 5-7 days, occasionally more. We went back to Prime and we have used it for all the reasons stated. During the worst of the pandemic, I never had to worry about pet food. More recently I was able to get the eye drops DH needed after eye surgery (OTC, but not at any C locally) before his sample ran out. It's my only source for some items I cannot get at the grocery store. I was able to order more frost cloth and supplies before the freeze that knocked power out across the state - the forecast was worsening and store shelves were bare, but I got my delivery and we had no home damage and less than average plant damage. I sent things to the boys while they were in college faster and cheaper than I could get them there -- and same for gifts to family and friends. Then there are easy returns, easy resolution of problems with an order and sometimes special pricing or deals.

" I wonder if Prime members far from warehouses have next day delivery? "

I wonder why you're trying so hard to convince yourself that happy Prime members, some 180 million in the US, are spending money wastefully and that the services provided lack value.

I wonder if Prime members far from warehouses have next day delivery?

If you live 'far', as in 'far-far' from warehouses, you are most interested in getting delivery, not necessarily getting it tomorrow.

I live far 'enough' from warehouses that next day delivery is dependent on where the warehouse that has my item is located. Sometimes I get next day, sometimes two days, rarely a bit longer. I often get Sunday delivery now that Amazon has expanded into doing their own deliveries.

What I don't ever get is same day delivery from Amazon, like my son in Salt Lake City (and Houston before) often does. Getting delivery in a huge metro area means that you don't have to wade traffic, and/ or protestors blocking the roads or a higher risk of getting mugged.

Getting delivery in remote areas means that you don't have to drive 2-500 miles to go get it. And that you don't have to risk your life/ others' lives because you just aren't equipped/skilled/ practiced enough to deal with big city traffic.

And/ or if you don't like to drive and if you hate shopping, like me, delivery is, again, the golden ticket. If I don't gotta' drive, don't gotta' shop, 99x out of 100, I'm content to wait for it. Tomorrow, next day, next week, whatever.

" I am genuinely interested why people would spend money for something that is already free (if they don't watch prime movies or have to pay extra for the ones they want to watch). "

That faster delivery isn't already free, and I can't understand why you can't see that.

"Next Day Delivery" only happens for some products and to some locations -- usually it's 2 days unless you're in specific locations -- even with Prime. Some things are not available in all warehouses, so they have to first be shipped to the local warehouse, which has to be considered when thinking about delivery times.

At least in Canada, Amazon Prime not only comes with delivery and streaming video benefits, but also unlimited photo storage/sharing platform, and a discounts on their streaming music service.

I forgot to answer Olychicks question. I am just hooked on the convience now. I find it a great value for how often I use it. The chains gobbled up the small stores and now the big chains are just eating each other up. There are many things that can’t be found locally for me. And yes, same day delivery is usually the areas closest to distribution. You should see the warehouses built in Florida.

The biggest plus for me is free returns which includes free shipping regardless of price. I don’t get stuck with anything that didn’t work out due to shipping cost considerations. To each his own and I hope to one day have everything I need available locally. That would be sweet!

I'm another frequent Amazon buyer and happy Prime customer. HOWEVER, yesterday I looked over my latest credit card bill and circled a few puzzling charges. One was for "Prime Video Channels" in the amount of $10.59. I wonder if this is the charge Sushipup mentioned at the start of this post. If so, I didn't even know about the no-ads option, and would have ignored it if I did. Also on the bill were two Kindle Services charges for $4.22 each. A small amount, but as far as I know there's no reason for them to be there.

I'll have to call, and spend some time on hold . . .

Incidentally, has anyone shopped in one of those stores that sell Amazon returns? I was surprised when one opened not far from me. They put all the items on tables on a Monday and price them the same ($12, I think). Then the prices are reduced every day for the next four days. I imagine the stores can be crowded. And competitive. Maybe a little hostile at times. lol

Come on in, the water's fine! 😁

We cancelled our Prime membership in Jan. My last order was Nov 2024 and I have managed but I do miss all the conveniences mentioned here. We are not in the boonies but the ability to one-stop-shop for wildly disparate items without driving to multiple locations and not find what I want is the reality and what makes Amazon attractive to so many. So 2 weeks ago I placed an order for several items that had been on my list there for quite a while. In a perfect world I would never feel the need to use Amazon but I'm not a martyr. Occasionally ordering from Amazon does not make me any less of a good human, just as boycotting Amazon is not going to make Bezos suddenly charitable or compassionate. I'm untroubled by my choice.

When we were building 10 years ago, we would get most items in the 2 days but not all. Since covid that has changed and it's rare to get 2 day delivery. We are within 10 miles of a warehouse distribution center. But delivery on most things within a few days is just fine.

I've been to an Amazon Fresh a few times when visiting family back home (suburban Chicago) and it's nice enough but nothing special - groceries are groceries. I don't care for Whole Paycheck er Foods and never shopped there regularly even when it was close. Now the closest is 20+ miles and wildly inconvenient with traffic so I have never been.

It was rare that Prime video offered anything I wanted to watch so I don't miss it. Could be all in my head but the ads seemed somehow more intrusive than Netflix or Hulu.

Does anyone think it's a waste energy to home deliver a <$10 object? I remember when Wal-Mart started home delivery services a few years back. They were paying a flat fee, $10, to third party delivery drivers. I always bundle my orders and have it shipped. For some reason Walmart home delivered one of the items, paper towels or something similar, rather than including them in the bulk shipping order. I remember thinking, "What a waste."

Also on the bill were two Kindle Services charges for $4.22 each. A small amount, but as far as I know there's no reason for them to be there.

I'll have to call, and spend some time on hold . . .

I would appreciate if you could report back on the Kindle charges.

Thanks, Everyone! @DLM2000-GW we don’t have a whole foods in my community, so I don’t shop it either. I don’t think Amazon Fresh is available either.I’m about 10 min away from Trader Joes and my food coop, 12 min from our exceptional Farmer’s Market, so I doubt I would use it even if it were aailable. I suppose if I could no longer drive, I might reconsider.

" Does anyone think it's a waste energy to home deliver a <$10 object? "

I see it the other way around. Where I am, multiple Amazon trucks pass by from mid-afternoon on. It would be a greater waste of energy for me to drive to a store or stores when needing to buy items and not knowing exactly where I might find what I want, than for any one of the passing vehicles to add an additional stop to drop off a delivery for me.

We all have different shopping patterns and objectives. We shop at Whole Foods, different locations at different times, depending on where we are, no less than weekly. Sometimes more often. Kind of in a Trader Joes sense but differently, it carries products we regularly buy that other stores simply don't have at all. The meat and fish areas (with humans standing behind refrigerated counters, waiting to help customers by cutting or otherwise processing their choices) are several notches up in terms of quality and service from what even the better grocery chain stores offer.

And, as a great tie-in, let's remember that one of the things that distinguishes Amazon and has contributed to its high level of customer loyalty is its generous product return policy. No questions asked, free of charge. And where is that easiest to do? At the counters set up for that purpose at Whole Foods stores. When dropping off a return there, the original packaging isn't even needed. It couldn't be easier. For those concerned with micro-energy consumption actions, it's an energy-free step for someone already at that market for grocery shopping.

I have no doubt that ordering from Amazon is better for the environment than all of us driving our cars to multiple stores, maybe multiple times a week, to get what we want or need.

--

I don't begrudge him the money, I begrudge his ostentatious behavour and attitudes about his money. I begrudge is limited philanthropy. I don't begrudge Bill & Melinda (French) Gates or Warren Buffet their money. I don't begrudge MacKenzie Scott (Bezos ex-) her money.

This exactly. And I would add using his money (ie, power) to keep more of his money while hurting the rest of us. Warren Buffet is a big proponent of the rich paying their fair share. Bezos, Musk and Zuckerberg (and the like), not so much.

What I got was opt out only. It was for the premium version, 30 days free, then I would be changed. I had to opt out.

This is AIi from a google search " ViX is available on Amazon Prime Video with both free and premium options. The free version of ViX includes ads and is available to Prime members. For more content, you can subscribe to ViX Premium as an add-on channel through Amazon Prime Video for $8.99 per month "

Lucille, the Kindle charges were legitimate. My bad, you might say. 🤔I had just discovered how great cookbooks look on my larger Samsung tablet, and in my excitement I ordered

this Lebanese cookbook and this Palestinian one. Each was on sale for the Kindle on those days.

Also, the $10.59 charge was for MAX. I don't know why it didn't say MAX. Up till now I'd been paying $3.17 (also on the same statement), so I didn't recognize it. I hadn't planned to continue with MAX afer the fee went up--at least that was my intention before I got hooked on The Pitt.

" Does anyone think it's a waste energy to home deliver a <$10 object? "

Yes, so I try not to order individual small things, and accumulate multiple items into an order. I only order individual little things to be delivered if I truly do need them right away (like batteries, or a shower chair after an injury).

" I don't begrudge Bill & Melinda (French) Gates or Warren Buffet their money. "

I'm not sure why so many among us think that it's reasonable to voyeuristically examine and assess whether the lifestyles and practices of people with unimaginable wealth do or don't measure up to what "we" arbitrarily think they should be doing. Or how.

Is the urge to do so fueled by jealousy? Is it plain nosiness? (I think that's part of it). Discomfort over and scorn for wealth they have and the individuals sitting in judgement don't, that permits doing and having anything in the world? Could anything be more boring?

Gates is one name on a short list of private individuals whose life and work in the 20th century influenced billions of people. Buffet is certainly not on that list. In the interest of learning a bit more about him, and perhaps with an already jaundiced view following revelations of scandalous and what I consider abnormal behavior in his personal life, I started reading his autobiography. The title is Source Code.

What I learned to a greater extent than I expected is that Gates is one strange dude. He was both as a child and also as an adult looking back and describing himself and his activities in childhood. I had to stop at about the 1/3 point and clean myself off from all the hubris that fell on me while reading.

Yuck. Admiring him isn't something I would advise.

I never said I admire Gates. I admire the work his foundation does to help the world. I've always known he's a weirdo and if memory serves there were some questionable moves at the start of Microsoft. I don't remember the details and am not interested in looking them up.

I do not scrutinize what gazillionaires do with their money. It is their choice. They can do whatever they want. My only objection is when they use that money/power to hurt others. Buying politicians to change tax laws that benefits them and hurts the less fortunate is not ok in my book. You may feel differently.

I'm not sure why so many among us think that it's reasonable to voyeuristically examine and assess whether the lifestyles and practices of people with unimaginable wealth do or don't measure up to what "we" arbitrarily think they should be doing.

I think that people should contribute to make the world - including their communities - a better place, and that does form a part of my judgement about them, but it's not arbitrary. It can be in person or financially, but I expect people should, and I admire people who do. And I think the uber- uber-wealthy should contribute more, because they have the ability to positively affect so many people while not depriving themselves of anything. That's where the Gates Foundation, Buffet, or Scott shine among others, not just by being philanthropic, but by doing so in amounts that are over 25% or so of their net worth.

Am I jealous that I can't contribute that much? No, I don't think jealousy plays a part, but I do admire that mindset and commitment they make. Does that mean I admire everything about them? No.

(Psst - of course Gates is a 'strange dude'. He's both a genius and a computer nerd. What part of that combination doesn't say 'weird'?)

After what Bezos did to the Washington Post I decided not to shop at Whole Foods or order through Amazon. I know it makes no difference to him but it makes a difference to me.

" I think that people should contribute to make the world - including their communities - a better place, and that does form a part of my judgement about them, but it's not arbitrary. "

Why do you think you have the prerogative to set your own standards of conduct for people you don't know and to "judge" them based on most certainly very limited information.

How valid and seriously would you find opinions of people you don't know who judged you and your conduct based on incomplete and likely erroneous facts and solely under THEIR standards?

" of course Gates is a 'strange dude'. He's both a genius and a computer nerd. What part of that combination doesn't say 'weird'? "

No part says weird or strange to me, as a default.

I knew and worked with many top tier innovators and tech wizards during my career. People who founded companies that went on to be significant. Names of companies and individuals most people would recognize.

Many of the individuals were technically brilliant, one-of-a-kind innovators who conceived and developed products and services others initially pooh-poohed. Some just had a decent idea at the right time and got to market first. Many of them were nerds about the worlds of technology they worked in and thought about, compulsive thinkers. Some could be quiet, distant/distracted or withdrawn at times, not the majority certainly. Few of them were "strange".

" Why do you think you have the prerogative to set your own standards of conduct for people you don't know and to "judge" them based on most certainly very limited information. "

Why wouldn't I have the right to set MY standards for MY judgement of people? Everyone sets their own standards to judge others. Even you.

" How valid and seriously would you find opinions of people you don't know who judged you and your conduct based on incomplete and likely erroneous facts and solely under THEIR standards? "

They have the right to make their own decisions for their own reasons, and I don't get too worried about it. I stopped caring about and needing validation from strangers at least 20 years ago. It's brought about a remarkable improvement in my life.

"Hate me if you want to, love me if you can."

" Ignoring the feedback of others "

I didn't say that's what I did........I said I didn't care about what strangers think about me or my life. That's very different.

There are people whose opinions about me I care about, sometimes seeking out those opinions and discussing things with them, and then there are people whose opinions about me I don't care about and usually ignore.

"And I think the uber- uber-wealthy should contribute more, because they have the ability to positively affect so many people while not depriving themselves of anything."

I guess I have a different point of view on this. While it would nice if the uber wealthy contributed a lot of their wealth to worthy things, I actually don't really care. It's their money to do with what they want. They acquired it, whether through hard work, inheritance, etc. Some arbitrary person, like me, having expectations of them to spend it, give it away, etc, in a certain way, really isn't my business. And how would anyone know how the uber wealthy spend their money? Lots of people are quietly generous, and we have no idea.

We all will be judged eventually. It's not my place to judge others and how they live their lives, if they're generous or not, etc.

" I guess I have a different point of view on this. "

Oh, I'm sure a lot of people do. That's what a good life is about: Sharing and acknowledging different points of view. We learn a lot that way.

It's nice when someone who says they don't judge people doesn't judge me for my opinion :)

"It's nice when someone who says they don't judge people doesn't judge me for my opinion :)"

And I'm not judging you for your opinion. I'm merely offering my perspective on what you wrote, if you're hinting that I'm judging you. I agree, sharing different opinions and ideas is how we learn new things 🙂

" And I'm not judging you for your opinion. "

Oh, I know! I was serious, not just being sarcastic. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

Okay good! Thank you! ☺️ Sometimes it's hard to tell just by the written word.

I wrote the following above:

Also, the $10.59 charge was for MAX. I don't know why it didn't say MAX. Up till now I'd been paying $3.17 (also on the same statement), so I didn't recognize it.

But the latest statement included a $10.59 charge again from Prime Video Channels and a $10.59 charge from MAX. So I called again, and this time the representative said I'd been charged in error for three months. So they refunded $31.77.

So now all I have to complain about is the heat. It's 97º here. I see Chisue already has that covered.

Just checked my bill: $15.99 a month for prime AND $11.55 Prime Video.

They DID sneak in an extra charge! This is nuts! I'll cancel the Prime video service.

I just want Americans with huge incomes to pay more taxes for the tax-funded infrastructure without which they and their businesses could not succeed.

Also, some here might enjoy a futuristic book I'm reading called HUM, where people are entirely dependent on their devices. People live grim lives and pay high fees to escape for a few hours or days in a walled-in reserve of forests and natural beauty. Even there, they are monitored by hums. No transacion is free from the hum attempting to up-sell merchandise.

After Nicole’s post I went to check my cc statement. I pay for Prime annually and it was $139 in 2025. $15.99 a month seems steep based on that. No other service charges but to be clear, I only ever access Prime from my remote using my smart TV. I have never clicked on their go ad free options. I have spent credits from consolidating deliveries on digital purchases and rentals that land in my library while I am watching Prime.

Our Prime just renewed last month at $139. No other charges on my CC.

Tina Marie

We just watched "The Accountant 1 and 2" movies. I think DH clicked on a trial for no commercials and then it auto-magically charged us a monthly fee for the service. I cancelled Prime for the hundredth time. I really don't need my saw blades & cat food overnighted. 😂

But why were you paying $15.99 per month for Prime? TM

@HU-688559642...That's what it costs with tax, unless you pay annually.

I pay £95 per year, which is similar to TM's $139. We pay nothing else because we didn't opt to buy the ad free service. (When I say we didn't opt for it that doesn't mean we specifically opted out. It means we did nothing.) I think someone must have signed up for it inadvertently if they're paying extra.