Amazon Prime launched about a decade ago as a program that offered free 2-day shipping to frequent shoppers willing to fork over an annual $79 fee. Over the past few years Amazon has sweetened the deal by offering access to thousands of streaming TV shows and movies for no extra charge, as well as other perks including access to the Amazon Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, which lets you “borrow” up to an eBook a month.

But the $79 fee hasn’t budged… yet.

Update: And now it has. Starting March 20th, 2014, Amazon Prime costs $99 per year. 

amazon prime

During an earnings call, Amazon’s Chief Financial Officer said the company is considering raising the price of Prime membership by around $20 to $40 per year. That means the price could go as high as $119.

Right now Amazon Prime is a pretty good deal for frequent shoppers who want free shipping, but it’s an even better deal for folks looking for an alternative to Netflix for streaming videos. At $79 per year, you get access to a large library of TV shows and movies for $6.58 per month which is over a buck cheaper than Netflix.

As an added bonus, you get free shipping when you order many physical goods from Amazon. But even if you never shop at Amazon, the deal’s pretty good (if you have a device that supports Amazon’s video streaming such as a Roku, Kindle Fire, or iPad… but not most Android phones or tablets). If the price goes up to $99 or $119, Netflix’ll be cheaper — but Netflix won’t foot the bill for shipping when you want to buy books, coffee pots, or laptops.

Are you an Amazon Prime subscriber? Would you still be one if the company raised the price of admission?

 

via CNET and The Verge

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12 replies on “Would you pay $119 for Amazon Prime?”

  2. They better get all the content that’s available on Netflix if they expect me to pay $119 a year.

  4. With my student discount after the initial free period, I’m not sure if I’m going to keep it when it goes to the normal $79.

  6. The streaming thing can be worked around in many cases, I just don’t see the value.

  7. Not a prime user. Now that Amazon charges sales tax in North Carolina, will shop at Newegg more often.

  8. I am currently in their 30 day free trial. If they raise the rate it will help me to make my decision not to continue with prime. I am currently on the fence about it.

  10. I like the shipping, but unless Amazon creates an app so that i can watch prime on my non-amazon tablet i will not pay more than the current rate.

    1. Agreed. If they don’t allow HD streaming on Windows and standard Android devices, I’ll probably cancel my membership if they raise the price.

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