It seems everything is getting more expensive lately. From fast food inflation to soaring egg prices, we’ve all been having to spend a little more money on food recently–and the same can be said about all of our monthly subscriptions, including Amazon Prime, who raised their price from $12.99 to $14.99 in 2022. Now the company is getting rid of yet another perk that will add even more to members’ grocery bills; they’ll be charging a fee to Amazon Fresh delivery orders that are under $150.
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I just received this from @amazon Prime. In addition to laying off over 10K employees, they’re going to start charging for the benefit of using their grocery delivery service, which was supposedly already included in the membership fee. … Any executive pay cuts yet, Amazon? Hm? pic.twitter.com/JUJKSEgZsi
— Keith Goode (@keithgoode) January 27, 2023
Amazon Prime adds charge to grocery orders
That’s right; while Prime members are currently able to enjoy free grocery delivery, that will be a thing of the past at the end of the month. Starting February 28, all grocery orders that come to less than $150 will have a fee tacked on.
An order from $100-$150 will have the smallest fee of $3.95. Anything from $50-$100 will come with a $6.95 fee. And if you’re planning to spend less than $50 on your grocery order, you’ll be charged a whopping $9.95. However, Amazon is also offering the option to choose a six-hour delivery window rather than the typical two-hour window, which may save members some money on fees.
An Amazon spokesperson told the U.S. Sun that these service fees are meant to “help keep prices low in our online and physical grocery stores as we better cover grocery delivery costs and continue to enable offering a consistent, fast, and high-quality delivery experience.” Customers certainly aren’t happy, though.
Wow, @AmazonFresh is now charging a delivery fee for orders less than $150. And the store doesn’t honor its promotional prices for delivery. So far Amazon has raised the price of Prime, eliminated its charity contributions & rarely delivers next-day. Why am I paying for Prime?
— Rieva Lesonsky (@Rieva) January 27, 2023
Customers react to Amazon grocery fees
Since Amazon broke the news about new delivery fees to customers via email, members have made their frustration clear on social media.
“Wow, @AmazonFresh is now charging a delivery fee for orders less than $150,” one wrote on Twitter. “And the store doesn’t honor its promotional prices for delivery. So far Amazon has raised the price of Prime, eliminated its charity contributions & rarely delivers next-day. Why am I paying for Prime?”
Many are asking this same question. “I genuinely want someone to explain to me the benefits of @amazon prime anymore? Whole Foods $10 delivery, Fresh now has a fee, nothing delivers in 2 days – why pay for it?” one Twitter user wrote.
“Only reason why I have Amazon prime is for the grocery delivery. But with the service fee for less than $150. Well, I don’t need prime,” another declared.
@amazon @AmazonFresh we pay for increasing prime fees, but u r now adding DELIVERY FEES? R u KIDDING ME?! This doesn’t “help keep prices low.” Half the stuff I’ve ordered had expired or molded w/in days. And u want me to pay additional fees for rotting food?! #ShameOnYou #Amazon pic.twitter.com/ir1kQMmVH3
— Maryam (@SillygirlM) January 27, 2023
Some are also calling out the faulty reasoning for these fees: “We pay for increasing prime fees, but u r now adding DELIVERY FEES? R u KIDDING ME?! This doesn’t “help keep prices low.” Half the stuff I’ve ordered had expired or molded w/in days. And u want me to pay additional fees for rotting food?! #ShameOnYou #Amazon,” a member scolded.
All in all, customers seem to be fed up–and many are already jumping to cancel their subscriptions altogether. “Goodbye @Amazon Prime. Raised cost of Prime membership and now a $9.95 @AmazonFresh delivery fee? Nope,” someone tweeted.
Luckily, there are other options out there when it comes to grocery delivery services. Walmart+, for example, offers free shipping and free delivery–without a minimum. It’s also cheaper than an Amazon Prime membership, at $12.95 per month.
What do you think? Will you be canceling your Prime membership and switching to Walmart, or are the changes in cost acceptable? Let us know in the comments!
