Good news if you shop Amazon but arent a Prime customer: they justdropped their free shipping minimum again.
Theyretrying to keep up with Walmart, but heres what it means for you as a consumer.
If youre a Prime customer, this might make you rethink your membership.
Now that the threshold has dropped, though, that could affecthow much you actually save.
Your own mileage may vary, but its something to consider.
When companies offer free shipping thresholds, customers definitely pay more to reach those thresholds.
Well, maybeyoudont, but theres research to show that thresholds do indeed affect how much money customers spend.
When a $49 purchase triggered free shipping, the average purchase quantity of products per order was 3.31.
When the threshold fell to $25, the average purchase quantity dropped to 2.53.
The comScore data included 45 purchasers who bought from Amazon.com when both thresholds were in place.
Those consumers spent $17 less per free-shipping order under the lower threshold, and purchased 1.82 fewer items.
Basically, the higher the shipping threshold, the more crap were inclined to buy.
Shipping + handling feels like a tax, the price we pay just for shopping.
Its why companies like Amazon promote these offers, after allthey make more money this way.
The best way to combat this?
Focus on your own bottom line rather than the discount.
Look at how much youll spend, total, with and without the free shipping.
Are you spending $35 to get free shipping when you otherwise wouldve spent just $10?
We start to see $35 as a better deal because we get more stuff with it.
That might not be the best deal for your budget, though.
Comparing these two numbers can help you make a more objective decision.
Sometimes free shipping might be worth it.
Youll save moneyandget a new pack of sponges or toilet paper or whatever else you buy on Amazon.
