For years, Amazon has offered free shipping on orders of $25 or more. Recently, however, the online retailer has raised the free shipping minimum to $35. This change has left customers struggling to take advantage of Amazon’s once-lucrative free shipping opportunity.
The higher free shipping minimum applies to Amazon Prime members only, as well as customers who shop exclusively through Amazon’s “Subscribe and Save” program. Customers who do not meet the lower spending thresholds will now have to pay for their shipping charges through other delivery options.
The change in free shipping minimum has prompted mixed reactions from Amazon customers. Some customers have welcomed the move, explaining that the higher spending threshold enables them to take advantage of special offers and discounts, which may make up for the additional costs. Others, however, have expressed their frustration, citing the high shipping fees needed to get items quickly.
So, what’s causing Amazon to raise its free shipping minimum? According to Amazon, the decision was taken in order to “provide the best possible customer experience and lower costs”. This suggests that the company was simply trying to streamline its services, likely in an effort to compete with other large online retailers.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear that Amazon’s new free shipping minimum is here to stay. This means customers will have to plan ahead when making their purchases, accounting for the new $35 threshold.
In the end, the change may not have a huge impact on regular Amazon customers. After all, most shoppers are already used to spending more than $25 in order to get the best deals. So, while the new change could potentially put people off from using Amazon, the company’s dedicated customer base are unlikely to be seriously disturbed.
