Amazon's Free Shipping Policy: A History of Change
Goodbye, Super Saver Shipping
Get ready to say goodbye to Super Saver Shipping, Amazon's free shipping option that has been around for over two decades. Starting this week, the policy is changing, and you'll need to spend more to qualify for free shipping.
The Early Days of Super Saver Shipping
Super Saver Shipping was introduced in January 2002, and it was a game-changer for online shoppers. For orders over $99, you could get free shipping, which was a huge deal at the time. Within a few months, Amazon lowered the threshold to $49, and then to $25.
The Rise of Amazon Prime
In 2005, Amazon launched Amazon Prime, a premium membership program that offered free two-day shipping on most items. For a monthly fee, Prime members could also get access to streaming video, music, and other perks.
The Decline of Super Saver Shipping
As Amazon Prime grew in popularity, Super Saver Shipping became less and less important. For many shoppers, it was more convenient to pay for Prime membership and get free two-day shipping on everything, rather than waiting for free shipping on orders over $25.
The End of an Era
Now, Super Saver Shipping is finally coming to an end. Starting this week, you'll need to spend at least $35 to qualify for free shipping. This is a significant increase, and it's likely to push even more shoppers towards Amazon Prime.
So, if you're a fan of Super Saver Shipping, you might want to consider signing up for Amazon Prime. Otherwise, you'll have to start paying for shipping on most of your Amazon orders.
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