All articles tagged with #free shipping
Amazon is ending its Prime Invitee Program on October 1, 2025, which allowed members to share free shipping benefits with others outside their household, while continuing to allow sharing of other Prime benefits within the household. This change aims to tighten the policy around sharing benefits, impacting members who previously extended free shipping to non-household members.
Amazon is ending its Prime Invitee program, which allowed Prime members to share free, fast shipping with someone outside their household, effective October 1, just before the holiday shopping season.
Amazon is ending its Prime Invitee Program that allowed sharing free shipping with non-household members, replacing it with the Amazon Family program that requires sharing the same residential address, as part of efforts to tighten membership policies amid reported declines in Prime signups.
The article discusses the rising costs associated with free shipping offers from major retailers, highlighting stock movements and industry trends, with a focus on companies like Amazon and Nvidia.
The era of free shipping and easy returns in online shopping is coming to an end as retailers, facing tighter margins and investor pressure, are adjusting their policies to cut costs and increase profits. Many retailers, including H&M, Zara, J.Crew, and Amazon, are now charging for returns, shortening return deadlines, and refusing to accept some items. This shift reflects a broader pushback against the unsustainable consumer behavior enabled by free shipping and returns, and aims to make consumers more thoughtful in their purchases while also addressing the environmental and financial costs associated with the current online shopping model.
"GMA" Deals and Steals for Cyber Monday offer big savings on various products, including outdoor clothing from Arctix, boots from The Original Muck Boot Company, skincare from M-61, wine purifiers from Üllo, bird feed and feeders from Cole's The Better Wild Bird Feed, plush alphapals sets from Alphapals, loungewear from Jambys, chargers and accessories from RapidX, wellness humidifiers from Hey Dewy, nails and cosmetics from butter LONDON, wine chillers and throw blankets from Society6, bedding and scrunchies from Discover NIGHT, oversized sun hats from Jodi Melissa, bracelet stacks from Kinsley Armelle, bluetooth speakers from Sonic Power, wine glass chillers from VoChill, custom toy and storage bins from A Nice House, body massagers from ReAthlete, portable printers from Lifeprint, heating pads and neck & back massagers from Comfier, wireless teeth whitening kits from GLO Science, and more. Free shipping is available for all deals.
Amazon is testing a higher minimum order amount of $35 for non-Prime subscribers to qualify for free shipping, up from the previous $25. This move is seen as a push towards its $139 per-year Prime membership, which offers free two-day shipping without any minimum order requirements. The increased minimum order has not rolled out to all non-Prime accounts yet, and Prime subscribers still have a $25 minimum for same-day shipments. Amazon's pricing strategy has fluctuated in the past, but it remains to be seen if the higher minimum order amount will become permanent.
Amazon has increased the minimum purchase for free shipping to $35 for non-Prime members in certain markets, up from the previous threshold of $25. Prime subscribers, who pay an annual fee for free shipping and other benefits, will not be affected. The move is part of Amazon's efforts to cut costs and potentially drive more customers to sign up for Prime. The company has previously adjusted the free shipping threshold for non-Prime members in the past.
Amazon Prime members can get an exclusive deal on a 43-inch Amazon Fire smart TV, dropping the price from $399.99 to $99.99, which is 75% off and the lowest price seen for the TV. Invitations are limited, but if you receive one, you can complete your purchase during Prime Day on July 11 and 12. The Omni Fire TV has a 4K HDR compatible display with Alexa and built-in microphones, and shipping is free.
Online retailers, including Amazon, are revamping their "free" shipping policies as costs soar and e-commerce contracts become more expensive. Retailers are adding fees for faster service, raising minimum purchase requirements, and making other changes that shift more costs to consumers. With shipping rates for major carriers hitting record levels, the industry is rethinking the financial cost of habituating shoppers to free shipping. Retailers' top priority is lowering shipping costs, with speed a close second.