The new service, Local Express Delivery, is being rolled out in New York, Seattle, Philadelphia, Boston, D.C., and Las Vegas. Members of Amazon's $79-per-year Prime service can get their quick fix for $5.99 per item. Everyone else will have to deal with shipping rates that include both per-shipment charges of as much as $18.99, plus additional fees based on weight or number of items (which means you could easily spend more than $79 to satisfy your urge for a new computer or LCD).
If Local Express Delivery reminds you of Kozmo.com or UrbanFetch, you can stop palpitating. Those doomed bubble-era services snuffed themselves out with a business model based on charging as little as possible to customers who abused them mercilessly (raise your hand if you ever ordered a pack of gum at midnight, and then demanded it for free because the delivery guy didn't make it there in under an hour) and praying they wouldn't run out of cash before they could go public.
In addition to steep delivery fees, the Amazon service requires customers to place their orders early in the day for same-day delivery; by 10:30am in most cities. But it could be a better solution than roaming aimlessly searching for the right birthday gift two hours before a party. And if you want that pack of gum, they'll deliver it too, for about $19.
Amazon Launches Same Day Delivery in Seven Major Cities and Expands Saturday Delivery Options [Amazon.com]
]]>Yeah, I paid for next day with Amazon on a Thursday and did not recive my packages until the following Wednesday. I have a feeling same day will work about the same way. Same day means 5 days.
]]>I bet they were trying to offload their boxes ASAP in case they had bombs inside
]]>@subtlefrog: For me, it's TOTALLY worth it, and really smart on their part - -talk about fostering customer loyalty. It has made Amazon my go-to spot for gifts, and it's where I go first for everything else. I've actually started buying some groceries from them because it's so freakin' convenient and inexpensive. If you only buy stuff from them five times a year it won't be worth it, but if you shop from them at least once per week like I do, it's the best deal imaginable.
]]>People respond differently to major events. It doesn't make someone less worthwhile because they didn't stare blankly at TV reruns of tragedy for the days following.
]]>It's going to get to the point where the shipping charges are more than the cost of the item? Does this make sense to anyone? Next the airlines will charge more for shipping your luggage than the airfare. Makes about the same sense.
]]>Same Day service? Nothing new here.
UPS has been offering Sonic Service for seemingly forever.
The goods are shipped on the next flight leaving your local airport. Courier service from your location to the airport and then from the receiving airport to the receiver.
Get out your checkbook because you are going to pay dearly for the service.
]]>1. I wasnt the one ordering the sewing machine.
2. World did not necessarily have to freeze that day.
3. Shopping makes for good therapy.
So... the World Trade Centers were attacked, again, and several other planes had been hijacked with an unlimited number of potential targets. And your reaction was: You know what I really need? A sewing machine. You're either a writer for Curb Your Enthusiasm, or just making that shit up.
]]>That sounds like that movie Speed 2... except with a bus instead of a boat.
]]>Since I'm in metro Boston, I wonder if this wound up being some sort of pre-test for same-day shipping; an order placed at 5pm the day before isn't the same as one placed at 10am, but would still give them a chance to do a "same day" delivery drill.
]]>Nope, I should have said this in my first comment. I live in Michigan and it was shipped out of one of the southern states, maybe Kentucky.
]]>Just sayin'
*On any PC/Mac or Amazon OnDemand enabled TiVo or DVR.
]]>My last 4 or so Amazon Prime orders have gotten to me in 1 business day instead of the standard 2 days.
]]>Or I could just tip Amazon to bring it to me. Love it!
Alas they don't yet offer this same-day service in my town. Maybe soon.
]]>@h3llc4t has a slow work day:
What's wrong with that? Showtime's got great shows!
@highmodulus:
Amazon Prime is the sole reason I buy as much from Amazon as I do. It's a great tool - one that other e-tailers should seriously consider.
I've noticed that UPS delivers to me on Saturday, but (so far) only from Amazon.
]]>Messenger services cost more than that. USPS costs more than that.
I wouldn't use that often, if ever, because I'd rather plan in advance so that I save money. But it's a good price for the service they're providing.
]]>I miss Fred Rogers :(
]]>It seems like Amazon is trying to start up a Kozmo.com-type delivery service. Theoretically, the shipping charge would become cheaper the more people use it. I can understand it being pricey at first but it could come down to more like $5 a book (?) once it catches on.
I watched a documentary on the founder of Kozmo and it seemed like a good idea but poorly executed. They tried to grow the business way too fast, spending money they don't have and not watching their costs. Amazon, on the other hand, has the infrastructure to make it work.
Amazon always delivers extremely fast to my doorstep and I'm not even in a major city.
]]>They use a local courier service, and for $5.99 it is frikkin awesome.
They use the same firm for Saturday delivery here as well. Ordering something on Friday afternoon and getting it Saturday morning is just great.
]]>I thought Amazon already had this option years ago and stopped doing it.
]]>I have the fast shipping story to beat all. I was let out of work early one day and I went home and surfed around and bought a sewing machine online from a firm in another state, with regular UPS shipping. It was at my house the next morning.
Ok, so what makes this special? I was let out of work early because it was 9/11 and they were afraid for my office building. And despite the freeze on air traffic, UPS still got me my box the next day before lunch.
]]>Also, Amazon prime, overnight is 3.99 an item. So for an additional 3 bucks, I get my package 8 hours later? That's ridiculously awesome.
Plus, it's an optional service. Any time a retailer expands the shipping options, its generally a plus for the consumer.
]]>That beats Newegg's delivery of two monitors in less than 40 hours.
]]>If it ever comes out here I would totally use it.
]]>The subway fare here in NYC is a flat $2.25 per trip. Yes, the unlimited card would reduce it a bit and if you use the pay-per-trip card, there is a 15% bonus added to the card, so it comes out a little cheaper, but you get the point. $4.50 round-trip, plus your time. So for about $15 you get that book the same day and you stay home in your fuzzy pink slippers. In some cases, for some people, it might be ok.
]]>