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QED

(2,751 posts) Sun Jun 27, 2021, 11:54 AM Jun 2021

Cancel Amazon Prime: The subscription service is Amazon's greatest--and most terrifying--invention. [View all]

I've had Prime for years and now I'm rethinking renewing based on the information laid out in the article. Is it worth $10/month? Do I spend more than I need to so I can get free delivery today if I spend over $35? Yeah, it's convenient and can save some legwork, but is it worth it? We all know Amazon is big but she lays out how much of a behemoth this behemoth is.

"In 2020, Amazon’s revenue from subscriptions alone—mostly Prime—was $25.2 billion, which is a 31 percent increase from the previous year, and also about three times the revenue of the entire NBA. "

Worth a read.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/06/amazon-prime-day-dystopian/619265/

101 replies

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Highlight:

Cancel Amazon Prime: The subscription service is Amazon's greatest--and most terrifying--invention. [View all] QED Jun 2021 OP

Prime was helpful during Covid. sarcasmo Jun 2021 #1

Definitely! QED Jun 2021 #3

I bet a lot of that was due to covid. Phoenix61 Jun 2021 #2

If you're talking about the TV service, it's not worth it. And, it's so annoying to search for a fil lindysalsagal Jun 2021 #4

You can search for the free only. I love Amazon TV...it is a bargain. Demsrule86 Jun 2021 #67

If it can sell you the film at a cost, it does "own" it. Renew Deal Jun 2021 #89

I like it and think it is worth it when included with my prime. Marrah_Goodman Jun 2021 #93

Avoiding stores, Prime TV, Prime Music-- worth it to me. n/t Hoyt Jun 2021 #5

Me too. I use the Music sub for my son do I can Ilsa Jun 2021 #7

Same here. smirkymonkey Jun 2021 #25

It is the most amazing thing to me d_r Jun 2021 #30

Me too. Demsrule86 Jun 2021 #68

Always check the price... Happy Hoosier Jun 2021 #6

Let's see. 48656c6c6f20 Jun 2021 #8

I'm sorry but to me its way worth it...I save that much a month in shipping alone. samnsara Jun 2021 #9

I like it... agingdem Jun 2021 #11

no shipping cost if order is more than $25. I cancelled Prime AND haven't paid shipping Demovictory9 Jun 2021 #42

Sorry but Amazon Prime is an immense benefit for me comradebillyboy Jun 2021 #10

+1. Especially if his x-wife keeps contributing billions to worthy charities. Hoyt Jun 2021 #12

+1 Heartstrings Jun 2021 #23

He should divorce more often. LisaL Jun 2021 #61

No joke. Hoyt Jun 2021 #78

Why should I cancel? brooklynite Jun 2021 #13

I've been a Prime member for years mcar Jun 2021 #14

Yup, I have been a member since the mid 90s obamanut2012 Jun 2021 #43

Hard to beat the convenience. tavernier Jun 2021 #15

Those walking tours were a godsend when we were stuck at home renate Jun 2021 #24

Bundles orders in Amazon cart - joins Prime - places order - cancels Prime Goonch Jun 2021 #16

Yup. In fact, it was an Amazon customer service rep who made that suggestion to me KPN Jun 2021 #28

I just cancelled my Prime membership jmbar2 Jun 2021 #17

Amazon is my favorite go to for shopping. FarPoint Jun 2021 #18

Post removed Post removed Jun 2021 #19

Well, that's violent obamanut2012 Jun 2021 #44

Why is it that you want him dead? Nt USALiberal Jun 2021 #53

Walmart is far bigger. Amazon is the leader of the also-rans. Klaralven Jun 2021 #20

I get more than my money's worth from streaming video alone. nt Binkie The Clown Jun 2021 #21

Yup obamanut2012 Jun 2021 #45

Me, too. I have esoteric tastes and Amazon has an amazingly deep selection of content. Midnight Writer Jun 2021 #56

I'm currently binge re-watching Mad Men. Binkie The Clown Jun 2021 #60

I'm currently enjoying Orphan Black, Buzzfeed Unsolved, and New Tricks. Midnight Writer Jun 2021 #62

I love New Tricks Demsrule86 Jun 2021 #70

I've told several people about it who have checked it out, and it seems everybody loves New Tricks. Midnight Writer Jun 2021 #81

It is such a great show and there are so many seasons to enjoy. Demsrule86 Jun 2021 #100

Not great, Bob! obamanut2012 Jun 2021 #86

Agree, and IMHO Amazon beats Netflix and Hulu. sarcasmo Jun 2021 #85

You should watch The Expanse Renew Deal Jun 2021 #90

I do a lot of Amazon ordering but never joined Prime. Never paid a cent for delivery - I can wait 5 progree Jun 2021 #22

Kind of our style too. yonder Jun 2021 #37

It's a great deal for us DavidDvorkin Jun 2021 #26

My kindle is, as my husband says, Bettie Jun 2021 #27

After reading perhaps a book or two a year for decades Ms. Toad Jun 2021 #51

I love kindle unlimited too...and they had a new Leslie Meier recently on Kindle unlimited... Demsrule86 Jun 2021 #73

I recently cancelled my membership mzmolly Jun 2021 #29

Not to mention Amazon's environmental impact ... eppur_se_muova Jun 2021 #31

Nope Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Jun 2021 #32

This is the real cancel culture Blue_Adept Jun 2021 #33

Just took a break from Amazon Prime Video to peek in here at DU Worried2020 Jun 2021 #34

Well, if that's how you feel, perhaps you should cancel it. MineralMan Jun 2021 #35

I Consider the Access to Prime Videos Added to the Free Shipping Model a Good Value Indykatie Jun 2021 #36

Sooo, I should cancel a service I find very helpful, convenient, reliable, and well worth the cost StarfishSaver Jun 2021 #38

Yeah, because there are no other companies in this country mcar Jun 2021 #55

Making money by giving customers what they want and need is bad BAD! StarfishSaver Jun 2021 #58

Years back here on DU, it was all about "don't shop at Walmart!!" mcar Jun 2021 #76

It's also good SoCalNative Jun 2021 #39

There are certain things I always get from WF obamanut2012 Jun 2021 #47

I am also Gluten free and agree. Demsrule86 Jun 2021 #74

I've been a member for years. jeffreyi Jun 2021 #40

Prime Video, Prime Music, free audio books obamanut2012 Jun 2021 #41

I generally use them for free and fast delivery. Cinnamonspice Jun 2021 #46

I usuallyp check local stores before I go to Amazon for orders csziggy Jun 2021 #48

"and most terrifying--invention." lol EX500rider Jun 2021 #49

Amazon Prime, Walmart, Sam's, and Harris-Teeter GoodRaisin Jun 2021 #50

Just like anything else - it is a tool. It isn't inherently good or evil. Ms. Toad Jun 2021 #52

Never heard of locast -- thanks! obamanut2012 Jun 2021 #63

It's opening up in more and more markets. Ms. Toad Jun 2021 #72

I don't buy enough to warrant paying a monthly subscription. LiberalFighter Jun 2021 #54

I am keeping mine Marrah_Goodman Jun 2021 #57

Great perspective! obamanut2012 Jun 2021 #64

I feel having your groceries delivered during pandemic is well worth it. LisaL Jun 2021 #59

I've resisted Amazon Prime, but I'm subscribing to Prime Video in July to see Baitball Blogger Jun 2021 #65

This message was self-deleted by its author Mosby Jun 2021 #66

The main reason we have Amazon Prime is for the movies Poiuyt Jun 2021 #69

Honestly, I've never understood the point of "I hate X and so should you" threads..... brooklynite Jun 2021 #71

Me either...Netflix runs on Amazon Cloud Services...as does many other companies...AWS revenue is HipChick Jun 2021 #75

You do you and I'll do me. herding cats Jun 2021 #77

So, because you do not utilize and receive your membership benefit vs cost, MerryBlooms Jun 2021 #79

I cared for my elderly aunt the last 6 months of her life Marrah_Goodman Jun 2021 #92

Amazon has worked really well for my sister's needs, especially when her MerryBlooms Jun 2021 #98

Fealty? Loyalty? Oh my gawd who hurt you, man? Iggo Jun 2021 #80

Sorrym don't know how I would have managed with out Amazon during the shutdown msfiddlestix Jun 2021 #82

With Prime, they can now open your garage with some little device and diehardblue Jun 2021 #83

Thankfully I don't have a garage. LisaL Jun 2021 #84

i canceled my Amazon Prime subscription nightthinker Jun 2021 #87

Bosch season 7 just started Klaralven Jun 2021 #88

I unexpectedly had a pet sitting gig and caught the season! nightthinker Jul 2021 #101

Amazon keeps me away from the hordes of drooling Covidiot maskhole Roisin Ni Fiachra Jun 2021 #91

I think cats would stage a rebellion without all the boxes around for them to play in / with. Calista241 Jun 2021 #94

My son was looking for a specific mouse for his computer gaming rig saturday OriginalGeek Jun 2021 #95

I did the exact thing at Best Buy obamanut2012 Jun 2021 #96

And brick and mortars wonder why they are having problems OriginalGeek Jun 2021 #97

I get half my records online at Tower obamanut2012 Jun 2021 #99