Amazon Prime Streaming with Commercials

[njhowie]

We get free shipping on all our Amazon orders too by simply ordering $35 or more on each order (used to be $25) - without paying for Prime. When we need something that's less than $35, we just combine it with another legit order (IOW, we haven't just bought something we didn't need). And our orders deliver quickly, usually on or often before the date predicted at time of order.

I've always wondered why people pay for Prime if all they want is free shipping...

We did this for a while in the early years, when I think the order minimum was at $25 for free shipping. Once Amazon became more important in our lives, cutting out trips to the market, drug store, Target, Walmart, Home Depot, and other places, and between me/DW/DD, we decided it made lots sense to begin paying for Prime, have fast delivery, and not have to think about or bundle orders. Over the years, it's only gotten better. I've ordered parts for my tractor on Friday evening and they'd deliver early Saturday morning, less than 12 hours later for free so I could fix and be able to mow immediately. No doubt whatsoever that with everything Prime includes it is worth it for us. Throw it in the BTD budget if necessary - it's a small indulgence.

 

[Fermion]

So this announcement was made several weeks after our 1 year renewal for Amazon prime went through.

If we cannot get a refund, doesn't this violate some law? We bought a contract for A and they are changing the product while under that contract.

I can see if they said no commercials until your membership renews again, or if they agreed to refund your membership, but to just change the product on us during a paid for period seems a bit wrong.

Class action worthy?

 

[njhowie]

If we cannot get a refund, doesn't this violate some law? We bought a contract for A and they are changing the product while under that contract.

I can see if they said no commercials until your membership renews again, or if they agreed to refund your membership, but to just change the product on us during a paid for period seems a bit wrong.

Class action worthy?

Doubtful.

The terms say you get Prime Video streaming service included, but not that Prime Video comes without ads.

Streaming

• Prime Video offers unlimited streaming of movies and TV episodes for paid or free trial members in the US and Puerto Rico. For more information, go to Prime Video.
• With Amazon Channels, you can watch your favorite shows and movies from HBO, SHOWTIME, and STARZ channels. You don't need a cable or additional apps and you can cancel anytime. Amazon Channels costs $4.99–$14.99/month for Prime members.
• Amazon Music for Prime Members provides Prime members with access to 100 million songs ad-free, the largest catalogue of ad-free top podcasts, and thousands of playlists and stations - all included with Prime at no additional cost for members in the US and Puerto Rico. For more information, go to What is Amazon Music for Prime Members?
• Prime members can get discounted Amazon Music Unlimited monthly plans and there are annual plans available exclusively to Prime members. For more information, go to Amazon Music Unlimited.
• With Prime Gaming, Prime members enjoy free games, a free monthly Twitch channel subscription, and access more gaming benefits. All included with your Prime membership. Some content is from third parties and is subject to their terms. For more information, go to Prime Gaming.

 

[W2R]

Yes, Reacher is the only programming they have that is good, hopefully we can get this season done before the new fee starts.

I have noticed that many of us have seen Reacher and really like that show. Frank is even paying the extra to avoid the upcoming commercials, mostly for that show. We watched it again last night and yet again, we both enjoyed it tremendously.

I think it's probably obvious why guys like Reacher since it's the kind of show that often appeals to guys, but here's why I think many women love this show too. First, Alan Ritchson is (IMO) a stunningly handsome man in great physical shape. Any woman whose jaw doesn't drop the first time she sees him, must be blind. But even more important than his looks, is the fact that the writers have given the Reacher character some values and attitudes that most of us hold dear. He's a "good guy", a hero, and someone you'd want defending your family if you ever needed that from anybody.

If you haven't seen this show, you might want to give it a try!

 

[Badger]

My wife and I are both fans of Reacher for most of the same reasons. We just wish it didn't take so long between shows and seasons.

 

[W2R]

My wife and I are both fans of Reacher for most of the same reasons. We just wish it didn't take so long between shows and seasons.

Totally agree!!

 

[rk911]

We did this for a while in the early years, when I think the order minimum was at $25 for free shipping. Once Amazon became more important in our lives, cutting out trips to the market, drug store, Target, Walmart, Home Depot, and other places, and between me/DW/DD, we decided it made lots sense to begin paying for Prime, have fast delivery, and not have to think about or bundle orders. Over the years, it's only gotten better. I've ordered parts for my tractor on Friday evening and they'd deliver early Saturday morning, less than 12 hours later for free so I could fix and be able to mow immediately. No doubt whatsoever that with everything Prime includes it is worth it for us. Throw it in the BTD budget if necessary - it's a small indulgence.

We try to support local retailers whenever possible. It helps our local tax base and provides employment to many. So while we do a lot of ordering from Amazon and few other online sellers it's usually only when we can't find the item(s) locally. Besides, we're retired and have the time to run errands. It's good to get out of the house now and then.

 

[disneysteve]

We try to support local retailers whenever possible. It helps our local tax base and provides employment to many.

Amazon employs an army of people in our area between the fulfillment centers and the delivery crews. They also help support USPS, UPS, Whole Foods, Kohls, and a few other places that are part of the chain. If Amazon disappeared tomorrow there would be tens of thousands of local people out of a job. Amazon is the largest private employer in our state with over 50,000 employees.

 

[Ian S]

Besides the fast free shipping, special sales, and streaming video, there's also significant value to the unlimited and automated photo storage that comes with a Prime membership. Ask me how I know.

 

[rk911]

Amazon employs an army of people in our area between the fulfillment centers and the delivery crews. They also help support USPS, UPS, Whole Foods, Kohls, and a few other places that are part of the chain. If Amazon disappeared tomorrow there would be tens of thousands of local people out of a job. Amazon is the largest private employer in our state with over 50,000 employees.

And that's wonderful. I don't want Amazon or our local retailers to go away. But this is very similar to 'WalMart vs Small Town Business'.

 

[acronymous]

I'm dropping Prime altogether after this decision. I refuse to watch ads on any paid subscription.

 

[Qs Laptop]

Let's just acknowledge that it's likely the biggest driver for ads now coming to Amazon Prime Video is that they keep spending big bucks making terrible programming that most people don't watch.

I'm looking at "Citadel" a costly production (reportedly $20 million per episode) that (deservedly) got abysmal ratings. Yet they green-lighted a second season and they will be paying the director $25 million to do the shows.

Then consider the "Wheel of Time" and the "Lord of the Rings" reboot. LOTR's cost per episode--$58 million. Viewer data showed few people that started these programs finished them, or even stayed with them for more than a few episodes.

 

[ivinsfan]

We started Prime because we live pretty rural without a lot of shopping essentials. Sometimes we just need something and order and click is pretty convenient.



We are also over 20 miles from the nearest Walmart so time and gas figure in. However, even with prime, delivery service has declined. Something small will get mailed Surepost where it can sit 5 miles from our house at the PO for over 24 hours.That I don't like.



I also have both my daughters as my Prime family members so that they get free delivery on stuff. (they only get the delivery part not the streaming part)


Back in the day the free streaming was much more robust included many channels that are now stand alone and need to be payed for separately. Also included many movies that are now pay per view.



And of course the cost of Prime has risen in tandem with the reduced services. It disappointing but I'll hold my nose and pay for it.

 

[Chuckanut]

Let's just acknowledge that it's likely the biggest driver for ads now coming to Amazon Prime Video is that they keep spending big bucks making terrible programming that most people don't watch.

I'm looking at "Citadel" a costly production (reportedly $20 million per episode) that (deservedly) got abysmal ratings. Yet they green-lighted a second season and they will be paying the director $25 million to do the shows.

Then consider the "Wheel of Time" and the "Lord of the Rings" reboot. LOTR's cost per episode--$58 million. Viewer data showed few people that started these programs finished them, or even stayed with them for more than a few episodes.

That is the problem. People who make and perform in the major parts of the entertainment industry want to make huge amounts of money. I don’t blame them. If I could have made 1,000,000 dollars for teaching a year of school, I would have done that. But, I really don’t want to pay hundreds of dollars a year for entertainment that is not that great or I can get for free by showing some patience. I think the killer for me as the Foundation show on Apple TV. The idea of paying even an extra $1 month to see that series was a no-go. It just wasn’t that good, IMO. Wheel of Time is also floundering as it veers from the great plot lines in the books into lots of flame throwing destruction by bad guys and gals and stupid decisions by the good guys and gals, IMO. Ugh!

I may drop Prime completely when my year is up next quarter. We’ll see.

 

[audreyh1]

Let's just acknowledge that it's likely the biggest driver for ads now coming to Amazon Prime Video is that they keep spending big bucks making terrible programming that most people don't watch.

I'm looking at "Citadel" a costly production (reportedly $20 million per episode) that (deservedly) got abysmal ratings. Yet they green-lighted a second season and they will be paying the director $25 million to do the shows.

Then consider the "Wheel of Time" and the "Lord of the Rings" reboot. LOTR's cost per episode--$58 million. Viewer data showed few people that started these programs finished them, or even stayed with them for more than a few episodes.

Too bad! Amazon’s initial series were terrific. That was years ago already so we’ve lost touch.

 

[GenXguy]

I'm dropping Prime altogether after this decision. I refuse to watch ads on any paid subscription.

Yeah, that's how I feel. I don't want to be paying to see ads because I can already get that for free. I never bought into Prime.

 

[tulak]

Too bad! Amazon’s initial series were terrific. That was years ago already so we’ve lost touch.

Agree, there were a lot of good and original shows.

I’m left with the impression that Amazon was run better under Bezo’s leadership. Nowadays it feels like they have become less innovative and are consolidating into their profitable businesses while increasing their margins. Pretty routine in the evolution of corporations.

 

[Murph]

Prime Video cannot be cancelled, only Prime can be cancelled, so Amazon is exploiting this. In my case they don’t have enough programming to justify paying an additional $3.00. It may lead to people binging Prime Video content and paying the extra cost for one month.

The era of great streaming options with lots of ad-free content and a low price are coming to an end.

Agree 100%

 

[Gearhead Jim]

They disable the fast forward button on the remote during commercials. They already do it with freevee.

Can you record Prime on a VCR?
Record the show and then fast-forward through the commercials?
We've been doing that for years on regular TV, if we have to watch live then we hit the mute button and talk about the weather during the commercials.
Not perfect but gives us the satisfaction of ignoring the commercial idiocy.

 

[meleana]

I’m getting pissed at Amazon lately.
Two day shipping isn’t two days anymore. The only other thing we really use is the movies and photo storage. I’m not sure if Alexa is tied in.

But now when you need to return something the only free returns are at Staples! Well we have no staples! Closest UPS store is at least a half hour away and you have to pay $1.

I have to call and beg for a UPS label so I can drop a return off at the CVS access point as I have done for many years. Today it took 3 phone calls to get this accomplished.

This makes me not want to order things through Amazon if I’m going to have this hassle returning things.

Now this ad thing. They don’t have that great of movies anyway.

So I am going to consider ditching Prime and maybe getting Netflix.

 

[CRLLS]

Amazon returns are still free for me as the UPS store is only 2 blocks away. However, the last package that I returned required me to package ir. Previously, they paid the UPS store do the packaging.

 

[rk911]

I take return eligible Amazon items to our local Kohl's store. No need to package them. I think Whole Foods is a return drop location, too. It's been a while since I returned anything.

 

[Jafowac]

It’s $3 a month

$36 per year to avoid commercials doesn't interest me. I'll skip for now, and circle back at a later date to evaluate.

It seems that all of the streaming services are conspiring to consume more of our income and wealth.

OMG it’s 36 bucks. BFD. If you’re sweating over 36 bucks a year you probably should not have retired. Too funny. ?

 

[audreyh1]

OMG it’s 36 bucks. BFD. If you’re sweating over 36 bucks a year you probably should not have retired. Too funny. ?

You’ll probably find that a lot of folks here don’t like paying for something they think is a ripoff no matter how well off they are.

The amount is never the point.

 

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

OMG it’s 36 bucks. BFD. If you’re sweating over 36 bucks a year you probably should not have retired. Too funny. ?

I just figured out what BFD means (I think)
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion as to how they spend their money and you won't make many friends here with that attitude.