The weakest link in Amazon’s growth is last-mile logistics. Based on Amazon’s growth, as well as that of other prominent e-commerce players, it is projected that services delivering to the consumer’s door would have to double in the next seven years. Perhaps this is good news for USPS, FedEx and UPS. It’s bad news for Prime customers who’ve grown to be dependent on two-day shipping.

So it makes great sense for Amazon to reward patience of their most loyal customers when they choose to wait. The question is whether the reward credits will be valued enough by a significant number of customers who will wait the five days to take the pressure off of a stressed delivery system.

This just leaves me with questions. Since Prime shipping is free, is it worth it to Amazon to also give more away? And is delaying the free shipping saving them anything? I guess I’m just seeing more losses here and that is disturbing. I know Amazon can get away with a lot, but other retailers who try to compete with them — don’t. This move doesn’t seem to have the usual Amazon coolness about it.

But that’s just my 2 cents.

Amazon recognizes the value of my time. That has been one of the keys to their success — especially with Prime. Now they are offering to “buy some back” from me, IF I choose to sell it. It’s my choice. As for the offers being limited to in-house products like Prime Music, well — that is just good business. Prime members have already demonstrated some appreciation for these services simply by paying up for their Prime membership. Or maybe this credit will incent trial of a service. I’m a member who uses this option at times and I don’t see anything here not to like. (Other than grousing that Amazon isn’t offering even more freedom in the choice. And if they need to they will.)

I agree with Consumerist. I selected the option three times last month, promising $5.99 in credits for each. But there is no way I can see in the My Account info that these credits are there. And I have not yet purchased any of the Amazon options mentioned to see if the credits automatically apply. I’m not that concerned about Amazon-only purchases for the credits, but I would expect there to be a section in your account settings to keep track of these credits.

Amazon is first and foremost a customer-centric company that is always looking for ways to understand the consumer and provide exceptional value. As a multi-million dollar seller on the marketplace, I have seen Amazon test, try and change many variables over the years. People purchase a Prime membership for many reasons, the most prominent being free two-day shipping. Amazon has also set the standard of identity for all of e-commerce to strive for with its shipping performance. But I do not see Amazon pushing this service or requiring this change for purchases. They are offering another alternative. I don’t believe this has anything to do with being overwhelmed with orders or trying to reduce capacity. I do believe this is another option for customers to get more value from Amazon Prime, while at the same time providing exposure to some other areas that Amazon feels are underdeveloped. Primarily the Pantry initiative, which has not penetrated to the extent they expected. If it works, it will stay. If not, it will go away and they will… Read more »

I prefer Jet’s model: offer an immediate incentive at the time of purchase for the items already in your cart. They’ve incentivized choices I hadn’t previously thought about, like “Opt out of free returns” and “Use debit card (not credit).”

As for Amazon, since members are waiving what’s normally regarded as the key benefit of Prime, why not allow that credit to be applied to next-year’s Prime renewal? A sort of “Pay-it-Forward” loyalty program.