Amazon has been criticized by its Prime Now subscribers for its recent "stealthy" changes: the internet shopping giant introduced a new fee and doubled the minimum spend for free delivery.
To become a member of Amazon's same-day delivery service, Prime Now, users of were annually charged a £79 fee for faster delivery, which covers free delivery on purchases throughout the year. The changes mean shoppers will have to pay extra £3.99 delivery cost plus a £2 tip for the driver on orders under £40, while they previously only applied on items under £20.
@AmazonUK pay for #AmazonPrime and now get hit with additional £3.99 charge? #joke #ripoff
— Zimbo (@zimbo1978) 13 ноября 2017 г.
.@amazonprimenow It’s a shame that you’ve introduced a £3.99 delivery charge on top of an annual fee of £79. Free delivery makes customers more sympathetic to delivery drivers which = generous tips.
— Lisa (@LisaKJMcA) 13 ноября 2017 г.
@amazonprimenow Gosh. Adding a £3.99 delivery charge to orders under £40 without notice is very sneaky and not cool. Shame.
— Scott Bevan (@scottybev) 5 ноября 2017 г.
The new charges were quietly rolled out for UK users in the past few weeks, but users started noticing the change in early November.
Has @amazonprimenow changed its delivery charges? £3.99 for orders under £40. Used to be free for orders under £20 (I always tipped £2)?
— Bloor (@alexbloor) 4 ноября 2017 г.
It’s clear the new 3.99 charge for #prime now is to reduce business and make money. Sneakily added and going to annoy people paying for #AmazonPrime I’m one thinking about cancelling
— Simon Jefferies (@olivegamestudio) 13 ноября 2017 г.
@amazonprimenow your minimum £40 order no delivery charge is insulting for #amazonprime members with many years of loyalty
— Vampraist (@vampraist) 1 ноября 2017 г.
Some customers were so disappointed that they decided to part ways with Amazon.
Well, that’s a shame. Amazon Prime Now has started charging for delivery unless you spend over £40. 👎🏻 I’m out. @amazonprimenow pic.twitter.com/VcOLc5tfjc
— Davey 🧐 (@davey) 7 ноября 2017 г.
@amazonprimenow 3.99 extra on top of prime for amazon now shopping sorry lost a customer
— mr fossil (@gregoryred37) 13 ноября 2017 г.
Just several days earlier, Amazon UK came under fire for "killing the Christmas spirit." Outraged parents slammed Amazon for an ad campaign, showing dad delivering presents instead of Santa Claus, saying that it ruined the holiday for children and forced them into "asking awkward questions."
Kid at Safeway: "Daddy, how does Santa deliver all those presents in one night?"
— Michael Margolis (@yipe) 6 ноября 2017 г.
Me, joining the conversation: "https://t.co/UyxWPyzISz same day free shipping"
Dad, glaring at me, then nodding and smiling: "That's right! He uses Amazon like we do!"
