Amazon Prime Instant Video - Page 7

Originally Posted by spiritfox

I added Prime to my account yesterday--saw the price for Scott Pilgram Blu Ray was down to $13.99--so for Blu Rays it is a nice feature--free two day shipping and no need to worry about your order adding up to $25.

Originally Posted by StevenFromTexas

I spent $3,631.94 with Amazon.com in 2010, and not spending an extra $79.00 for two-day shipping, or whatever time-frame it is, was a no-brainer for me. I have better uses for the $79.00 than spending it on a Prime membership. So, I came out ahead money-wise than you did.

Originally Posted by StevenFromTexas

I spent $3,631.94 with Amazon.com in 2010, and not spending an extra $79.00 for two-day shipping, or whatever time-frame it is, was a no-brainer for me. I have better uses for the $79.00 than spending it on a Prime membership. So, I came out ahead money-wise than you did.

Michael Greeson, founding partner with TDG, in a post said the results portend a potential groundswell for Prime streaming at Netflix's expense. He said that while Netflix streaming offers more than twice the content of Prime, it is easier to use and available on more than 200 consumer electronics devices, but does not make it immune to the ecommerce behemoth.

Amazon is not Redbox, and the upside potential of this new streaming service will go far beyond this initial Netflix Lite' offering, Greeson wrote.

Originally Posted by michaeltscott

I didn't realize that they had free "Super Saver" shipping on orders of $25 or more of anything you can get Prime shipping on; I don't think that was true 4 years back when I first subscribed to Prime. (I wonder if that includes all "fulfillment by Amazon" items which they ship for other e-tailers)?

Paying for all of my shipping in advance changes the way that I use the service. I have no doubt that the majority of my purchases are sub-$25. Last week I ordered some of my favorite gourmet oatmeal that I can't find locally and a load of bar soap in separate orders. Individual sheet music books, bargain bin video games, novels I can't find in eBook form, office supplies, guitar strings and picks, etc, etc, etc. I always shop Amazon first, turn on the Prime Eligible filter and buy whatever I want without thinking about shipping.

If you don't think that Prime would be worthwhile for you, cool. It is worthwhile for some of us, whether you believe it or not.

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

I have been an Amazon customer since they came online but never a Prime member. Looks like I may have to sign up with my next order .

Some may find this an interesting read:

Survey: 32% of Netflix Subs Would Switch to Amazon Prime

Originally Posted by michaeltscott

I didn't realize that they had free "Super Saver" shipping on orders of $25 or more of anything you can get Prime shipping on; I don't think that was true 4 years back when I first subscribed to Prime. (I wonder if that includes all "fulfillment by Amazon" items which they ship for other e-tailers)?

Paying for all of my shipping in advance changes the way that I use the service. I have no doubt that the majority of my purchases are sub-$25. Last week I ordered some of my favorite gourmet oatmeal that I can't find locally and a load of bar soap in separate orders. Individual sheet music books, bargain bin video games, novels I can't find in eBook form, office supplies, guitar strings and picks, etc, etc, etc. I always shop Amazon first, turn on the Prime Eligible filter and buy whatever I want without thinking about shipping.

If you don't think that Prime would be worthwhile for you, cool. It is worthwhile for some of us, whether you believe it or not.

Originally Posted by keenan

I absolutely enjoy the 1 and 2 day delivery times with the Prime account though, so even if it was available then I probably would have still got the Prime account.

Originally Posted by dsinger

My guess is that people who sign up for Prime to get "free" video will eventually buy many other items.

Originally Posted by michaeltscott

When I first signed up for Prime I bought a Prime Eligible Onkyo HTIB with a package weight of 107 lbs. Just for sh**s and giggles, I ordered it with overnight shipping, which would definitely have cost more than the Prime membership . It was probabably 2 weeks before I got around to setting the damn thing up .

Originally Posted by keenan

The articles examining the weaknesses of Netflix are starting to multiply.

Five reasons Netflix may become the bargain bin of streaming services

Originally Posted by b_scott

here's the problem with this argument - it's predicated by being written by a person who doesn't want to watch older movies.

To me, Netflix is for movie/tv enthusiasts who want to fill up on old movies and TV they missed or rewatch old favorites. Sure the new movies are great too, but I watch far more media that is 5 years old or older.

Originally Posted by b_scott

here's the problem with this argument - it's predicated by being written by a person who doesn't want to watch older movies.

Originally Posted by Charles R

Regarding newer content who else has any at the same or lower price? Subscription plans at this price will never have (fairly) new content to any degree.

Originally Posted by Alex solomon

I am your exact opposite. I hardly watch movies that are 5 years old or more and almost never that are more than 10 years old. Netflix member since 2001.

Originally Posted by Taperwood

If oil continues to climb, how long can Amazon hold their price on Prime membership? I don't see tying their streaming service to Prime membership as a very solid long-term strategy.

Netflix has the advantage here because their streaming cost is not tied to the cost of shipping. On the other hand, Amazon is using streaming as a loss leader for Prime membership. They would be thrilled if Amazon streaming took off but I don't think it matters to them as much as streaming matters to Netflix.

Originally Posted by Cygnus2112

True and NF could benefit from the rise in oil since oil prices affect everything. Ppl will look more to cheap entertainment. $5 per gallon of gas will seriously hurt the economy in many ways.

Originally Posted by keenan

I think you guys are reaching a bit, but heck, anything's possible.

Consider that Amazon probably had revenues in the neighborhood of $20 billion last year. By contrast Netflix was around 1/10th of that amount. Amazon is definitely in a position to absorb a certain degree of fluctuations in shipping costs.

In any case, I think competition is good for the consumer, and anything that forces Netflix to improve, and expand, on their product is a good thing.

Truth be told though, I do believe that Amazon is in the driver's seat with regard to streaming video, it may take some time, but I believe they will be a very serious threat to Netflix's only business come a few years down the road when Netflix has all but discontinued their disc rental by mail business. Maybe that decision will be looked at again with the pressure from Amazon and others, also good for us consumers as disc rental options appear to be coming scarcer as the days progress given the dark outlook for Blockbuster, the only other option I'm aware of.

Originally Posted by EJ

Unless I'm missing something, aside from a place to put your favorites, the Amazon setup seems like one big mess.

Originally Posted by b_scott

when anyone mentions the price of oil, it doesn't really phase me.

Originally Posted by undecided

You could call the price of oil many ways - higher oil prices - people have less to spend and the overall economy slows - maybe they stay in more and spend more on in-home entertainment - or they buy more online vs driving to the store - or maybe not.

Speculating on the effect on Amazon vs Netflix delivery costs seems a stretch though.