Amazon Prime -- Anyone use it?

tjg_marantz · Post by **tjg_marantz** » Sun Oct 09, 2016 6:46 pm

Not live in Canada obviously.

Post by **FishPants** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 12:11 pm

tjg_marantz wrote:Not live in Canada obviously.

Yeah I'm using Prime because I got 6 months free, and then I needed a photo storage place so I am using the amazon drive (with upgraded storage for videos). Their app sucks for syncing, but whatever costwise it's about the same as their competitors and I get Prime for free.

Problem is, Prime sucks in Canada. Prime shipping, and basic amazon drive for free. Why not throw us a bone with some of the other services?

Fitzy · Post by **Fitzy** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 2:54 pm

Twitch prime does not seem to include download codes. Civ VI physical preorder is discounted, the game code version is not.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon Oct 17, 2016 10:11 pm

FINE!

The appeal of having a new router drop-shipped and arriving tomorrow made me pull the trigger. And then there's the convenience of never having to find the receipt if it breaks.

And i'll probably end up with an Audible subscription in the next few months as well.

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Mon Oct 17, 2016 10:19 pm

Welcome to Prime. You now already have an Audible subscription. Of sorts.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon Oct 17, 2016 10:29 pm

Yup. I've got a book queued up for in the morning.

Wife has had one for a while, so I may try to piggyback off of hers.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Thu Dec 22, 2016 2:34 pm

I use Amazon for a lot of my shopping due to Prime and the fact that there are no real stores anywhere near me (we're talking a 50-mile round trip to visit a Wal-Mart big enough to stock groceries, and further to reach any specialty stores.)

I've put in nearly 100 orders this year. I've received more than two dozen shipments this month (many family members do their holiday shopping through me.) I get home today and find a $30 miscellaneous item, a $12 clothing item, and a $40 electronics item sitting at my door where the deliveries always come.

Taped to one of them is a slip stating that an item couldn't be delivered.

An item, a $20 toy, was sent requiring a signature for delivery. Oh, and there was no mention of this on the site anywhere. This is the only time, in all of those orders, that this has happened. And yes, the item was shipped by Amazon, not a seller.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Thu Dec 22, 2016 2:40 pm

Blackhawk wrote: An item, a $20 toy, was sent requiring a signature for delivery. Oh, and there was no mention of this on the site anywhere. This is the only time, in all of those orders, that this has happened. And yes, the item was shipped by Amazon, not a seller.

That'll happen every time when you order a tequila-filled squirt gun. Typically, it's less hassle to just order an empty one and fill it yourself, but I guess if that means also ordering tequila from Amazon, you're not really seeing an improvement.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Thu Dec 22, 2016 2:44 pm

It was a Fallout bobblehead. It was filled with nothing but bobble.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Thu Dec 22, 2016 2:49 pm

Blackhawk wrote:It was a Fallout bobblehead. It was filled with nothing but bobble.

Well, there you go. The bobble was obviously authentic and therefore radioactive, which means hazardous substance which means SIGNATURE REQUIRED!

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Thu Dec 22, 2016 3:05 pm

Just to confirm, there is no way to download Amazon videos (with Prime or otherwise) to a computer for viewing offline on (say) a long plane ride, correct? That only works with phones and tablets?

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Thu Dec 22, 2016 3:52 pm

El Guapo wrote:Just to confirm, there is no way to download Amazon videos (with Prime or otherwise) to a computer for viewing offline on (say) a long plane ride, correct? That only works with phones and tablets?

Not on PC, no.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer ... =201460820

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Thu Dec 22, 2016 4:01 pm

If this is something you do often it might be worth it to buy a Kindle tablet for $40 plus a memory card.

Octavious · Post by **Octavious** » Thu Dec 22, 2016 4:10 pm

I did all my Christmas shopping in like 10 minutes. God bless Amazon. Well except for the whole torturing their warehouse employees part. But no stores!

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Thu Dec 22, 2016 4:15 pm

Octavious wrote:I did all my Christmas shopping in like 10 minutes. God bless Amazon. Well except for the whole torturing their warehouse employees part. But no stores!

Now they have warehouses popping up like Starbucks. A big-assed one opened up in the suburb I live in. Another big-assed one opened in a suburb 10 minutes away. Now they just announced 2 more warehouses opening in a suburb about 15 minutes away.

Every street corner seems to have signs from staffing agencies inviting people to apply for warehouse jobs (some of those jobs would be at my company, who has a big-assed warehouse a few blocks from Amazon). The Aurora, IL Amazon warehouses are going to create more than 1000 jobs for Trump supporters. I'm not sure there are that many in this area though; might have to start busing them in from more deplorable parts of the metro area.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Thu Dec 22, 2016 4:18 pm

Slinging Prime boxes is the new slinging burgers.

Punisher · Post by **Punisher** » Thu Dec 22, 2016 4:54 pm

El Guapo wrote:Just to confirm, there is no way to download Amazon videos (with Prime or otherwise) to a computer for viewing offline on (say) a long plane ride, correct? That only works with phones and tablets?

Correct... One of the downsides.
Not sure if it matter, but Netflix just started offering limit items for download..

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Thu Dec 22, 2016 5:12 pm

Punisher wrote:
El Guapo wrote:Just to confirm, there is no way to download Amazon videos (with Prime or otherwise) to a computer for viewing offline on (say) a long plane ride, correct? That only works with phones and tablets?
Correct... One of the downsides.
Not sure if it matter, but Netflix just started offering limit items for download..

I think that's also only for phone and tablets.

I do also have a Kindle Fire, and an android phone, so I can (and will) use those. It's just that it'd be nice to have the bigger computer screen if that would work.

Ralph-Wiggum · Post by **Ralph-Wiggum** » Fri Dec 23, 2016 11:13 am

Blackhawk wrote:It was a Fallout bobblehead. It was filled with nothing but bobble.

Clearly the +1 to the deliveryman's intelligence made him realize he should keep it for himself.

Pyperkub · Post by **Pyperkub** » Fri Dec 23, 2016 11:54 am

Jeff V wrote:
Octavious wrote:I did all my Christmas shopping in like 10 minutes. God bless Amazon. Well except for the whole torturing their warehouse employees part. But no stores!
Now they have warehouses popping up like Starbucks. A big-assed one opened up in the suburb I live in. Another big-assed one opened in a suburb 10 minutes away. Now they just announced 2 more warehouses opening in a suburb about 15 minutes away.

Every street corner seems to have signs from staffing agencies inviting people to apply for warehouse jobs (some of those jobs would be at my company, who has a big-assed warehouse a few blocks from Amazon). The Aurora, IL Amazon warehouses are going to create more than 1000 jobs for Trump supporters. I'm not sure there are that many in this area though; might have to start busing them in from more deplorable parts of the metro area.

Amazon is actually way ahead of the pack in terms of warehouse automaton. Those jobs won't be around long

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Fri Dec 23, 2016 12:01 pm

I'm surprised there are that many in the first place. Perhaps their "job" is to be rendered into glue for the tape that seals the packages.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Fri Dec 23, 2016 1:22 pm

Ralph-Wiggum wrote:
Blackhawk wrote:It was a Fallout bobblehead. It was filled with nothing but bobble.
Clearly the +1 to the deliveryman's intelligence made him realize he should keep it for himself.

Except that it was Lockpicking.

Moliere · Post by **Moliere** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 4:42 pm

Added benefits:

UPDATED Prime Music: Over one million more songs and thousands of new playlists and stations have been added to your unlimited music streaming access.

UPDATED Prime Photos: Unlimited photo storage you can share with up to five people through the newly added Prime Photos Family Vault.

ADDED Audible Channels: Unlimited listening to comedy, news, and original audio series through Audible.

ADDED Prime Reading: Unlimited reading of over a thousand books, current issue magazines, comics, and Kindle Singles on any device – including your phone, tablet, or Kindle.

ADDED Twitch Prime: Ad-free viewing on Twitch, a free Twitch channel subscription every month, exclusive access to free game content, and more.

ADDED Amazon Music Unlimited: $2/month discount for Prime members on an Amazon Music Unlimited subscription, with access to tens of millions of songs.

ADDED Access to Amazon Channels: Prime members can subscribe to premium video channels like HBO, SHOWTIME, and STARZ.

So much content, so little discretionary time.

tjg_marantz · Post by **tjg_marantz** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 5:49 pm

Moliere wrote:Added benefits:

UPDATED Prime Music: Over one million more songs and thousands of new playlists and stations have been added to your unlimited music streaming access.

UPDATED Prime Photos: Unlimited photo storage you can share with up to five people through the newly added Prime Photos Family Vault.

ADDED Audible Channels: Unlimited listening to comedy, news, and original audio series through Audible.

ADDED Prime Reading: Unlimited reading of over a thousand books, current issue magazines, comics, and Kindle Singles on any device – including your phone, tablet, or Kindle.

ADDED Twitch Prime: Ad-free viewing on Twitch, a free Twitch channel subscription every month, exclusive access to free game content, and more.

ADDED Amazon Music Unlimited: $2/month discount for Prime members on an Amazon Music Unlimited subscription, with access to tens of millions of songs.

ADDED Access to Amazon Channels: Prime members can subscribe to premium video channels like HBO, SHOWTIME, and STARZ.
So much content, so little discretionary time.

Damnit why can't we have nice things? You should see the selection on the canadian video portion... Oof.

I souldn't complain as they just added it but crikey, it's pretty bare. Not even season 2 of High Castle yet...

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 6:32 pm

Hey, give Amazon some credit for trying to civilize you! If you were the size of, say, New Guinea, the task wouldn't be quite so formidable. But you have to be so damn big...have you ever considered breaking yourselves down to microstates? Then they can target you one at a time and make faster progress.

tjg_marantz · Post by **tjg_marantz** » Mon Jan 16, 2017 11:25 pm

Humbug

Xmann · Post by **Xmann** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 12:10 am

Moliere wrote:Added benefits:

UPDATED Prime Music: Over one million more songs and thousands of new playlists and stations have been added to your unlimited music streaming access.

UPDATED Prime Photos: Unlimited photo storage you can share with up to five people through the newly added Prime Photos Family Vault.

ADDED Audible Channels: Unlimited listening to comedy, news, and original audio series through Audible.

ADDED Prime Reading: Unlimited reading of over a thousand books, current issue magazines, comics, and Kindle Singles on any device – including your phone, tablet, or Kindle.

ADDED Twitch Prime: Ad-free viewing on Twitch, a free Twitch channel subscription every month, exclusive access to free game content, and more.

ADDED Amazon Music Unlimited: $2/month discount for Prime members on an Amazon Music Unlimited subscription, with access to tens of millions of songs.

ADDED Access to Amazon Channels: Prime members can subscribe to premium video channels like HBO, SHOWTIME, and STARZ.
So much content, so little discretionary time.

I'd gladly use Prime Music if they'd add any music I listen too.

A quick look at metal and they only have 1 Iron Maiden album? 1 Gojira, 4 Slayer albums?

I'll stick to Google Music where I have everything and with 1 price my wife and son can use it too.

Sudy · Post by **Sudy** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 1:15 am

tjg_marantz wrote: Damnit why can't we have nice things? You should see the selection on the canadian video portion... Oof.

I souldn't complain as they just added it but crikey, it's pretty bare. Not even season 2 of High Castle yet...

Yeah... I just cancelled after the trial for this reason. Still no Transparent season 3, either. I was annoyed they saw fit to bill my credit card the $80+ without so much as an email notification. Yeah, I'm sure it was clearly stated in the fine print when I signed up for the trial, but still rubs me the wrong way. Luckily I was able to cancel and get a full refund.

tjg_marantz · Post by **tjg_marantz** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 8:34 am

Oh I'm keeping Prime as we use it regularly. Just wish the extras would make their way up here.

Paingod · Post by **Paingod** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 8:49 am

Man, for all we order, simply getting free shipping pays for the subscription in a month or so. Everything else is gravy. I don't even utilize the reading offers (still working through the Wheel of Time on my new Kindle), and I don't think my wife is using the Prime Audio, but probably should. Neither of us care much for Prime Original Series, but the kids love a couple of their original kid's shows.

If we go shopping now, it's so we can physically look at items we intend to buy online for 20% less.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 10:02 am

I use Prime Reading quite a bit. They just refreshed the catalog in January and put up a lot of new books. Between that and the freebies I don't even need to pay for Kindle Unlimited, even at 3 books per day.

My renewal is up in a week. Wonder if they take Amazon Gift Certificates?

I order couple times per month, all sorts of **** for myself.

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 10:56 am

Kasey Chang wrote:I use Prime Reading quite a bit.

Slight understatement.

Post by **ImLawBoy** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 11:19 am

Xmann wrote:I'd gladly use Prime Music if they'd add any music I listen too.

A quick look at metal and they only have 1 Iron Maiden album? 1 Gojira, 4 Slayer albums?

I'll stick to Google Music where I have everything and with 1 price my wife and son can use it too.

Is that just with Prime music, or with the unlimited Amazon Music service? I know that the selection on Prime Music is very restricted, but Amazon Music Unlimited has a ton more stuff. (Which makes sense, since Prime is a free feature, while you pay extra for Amazon Music Unlimited.) I don't know pricing on Google Music, but it might be worth checking into the Amazon pricing (you get a discount for having Prime, plus there is a family option).

Xmann · Post by **Xmann** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 11:27 am

Paingod wrote:Man, for all we order, simply getting free shipping pays for the subscription in a month or so. Everything else is gravy. I don't even utilize the reading offers (still working through the Wheel of Time on my new Kindle), and I don't think my wife is using the Prime Audio, but probably should. Neither of us care much for Prime Original Series, but the kids love a couple of their original kid's shows.

If we go shopping now, it's so we can physically look at items we intend to buy online for 20% less.

That's pretty much our deal too. Although I do watch a couple original series and an occasional movie. We order something, weekly, so the free shipping pays for itself for us.

I'd love to use Prime Music more often, but the free variety is just missing too much of what I listen to.

Xmann · Post by **Xmann** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 11:29 am

ImLawBoy wrote:
Xmann wrote:I'd gladly use Prime Music if they'd add any music I listen too.

A quick look at metal and they only have 1 Iron Maiden album? 1 Gojira, 4 Slayer albums?

I'll stick to Google Music where I have everything and with 1 price my wife and son can use it too.
Is that just with Prime music, or with the unlimited Amazon Music service? I know that the selection on Prime Music is very restricted, but Amazon Music Unlimited has a ton more stuff. (Which makes sense, since Prime is a free feature, while you pay extra for Amazon Music Unlimited.) I don't know pricing on Google Music, but it might be worth checking into the Amazon pricing (you get a discount for having Prime, plus there is a family option).

I'll look into the unlimited more and see if it'll work for us. I'm in the cord cutting thing right now and if I could cut back a few dollars from Google, I'd be in.

Xmann · Post by **Xmann** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 11:36 am

ImLawBoy wrote:
Xmann wrote:I'd gladly use Prime Music if they'd add any music I listen too.

A quick look at metal and they only have 1 Iron Maiden album? 1 Gojira, 4 Slayer albums?

I'll stick to Google Music where I have everything and with 1 price my wife and son can use it too.
Is that just with Prime music, or with the unlimited Amazon Music service? I know that the selection on Prime Music is very restricted, but Amazon Music Unlimited has a ton more stuff. (Which makes sense, since Prime is a free feature, while you pay extra for Amazon Music Unlimited.) I don't know pricing on Google Music, but it might be worth checking into the Amazon pricing (you get a discount for having Prime, plus there is a family option).

I think I'm going to give Unlimited a trial and see how it goes.

I'm paying $9.99 for Google Play Music. I think what my wife does is logs into my account on her phone and that's how she uses it without paying an additional subscription.

Prime is $7.99, so I'll give the free trial a shot.

YellowKing · Post by **YellowKing** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 2:04 pm

Xmann wrote: I think I'm going to give Unlimited a trial and see how it goes.

I've been on it about a month now (formerly Google Play), and so far I haven't missed anything from Google. I do like Google's layout a bit better, but that could be from familiarity more than anything. I think the biggest drawback is Google had Songza incorporated, and I was a huge fan of their playlists and "concierge" lists where you choose an activity and it suggests playlists for you.

However, Amazon has some pretty great playlists of their own, and their layout and suggestions are getting better and better. The biggest benefit has been the compatibility with Echo. I'd have probably switched just for that, even if the selection had been more limited.

Xmann · Post by **Xmann** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 2:52 pm

YellowKing wrote:
Xmann wrote: I think I'm going to give Unlimited a trial and see how it goes.
I've been on it about a month now (formerly Google Play), and so far I haven't missed anything from Google. I do like Google's layout a bit better, but that could be from familiarity more than anything. I think the biggest drawback is Google had Songza incorporated, and I was a huge fan of their playlists and "concierge" lists where you choose an activity and it suggests playlists for you.

However, Amazon has some pretty great playlists of their own, and their layout and suggestions are getting better and better. The biggest benefit has been the compatibility with Echo. I'd have probably switched just for that, even if the selection had been more limited.

Nice, I'm going to give it a go this week

Punisher · Post by **Punisher** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 8:31 pm

Kasey Chang wrote:, even at 3 books per day.

Is this a typo or are you referring to kids books? Because otherwise, wow... Do you actually retain anything or just blow through them?
I think the best I've done with a paperback sized book is about 3 days and it was a Fri-Sun affair with a book I really enjoyed..and have read dozens of times since...

As for Prime, I've been a member of Prime since they offered it. Originally I used it to buy tons of books (before I finally caved in and got a kindle), Now I rarely buy books, but between other stuff I now buy, and amazon video, and Kindle unlimited, I still think it's worth it for me... I did almost bail when they upped the price, but stuck with it for now and the free shipping has paid for it already... I would like a lower price for the base model with free shipping, then ala cart for everything else. I still use Amazon video, but have mostly switched to NetFlix for now. and dont use any of the other services. (Although I may try their new Anime channel addon)

Sudy · Post by **Sudy** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 10:42 pm

tjg_marantz wrote:Oh I'm keeping Prime as we use it regularly. Just wish the extras would make their way up here.

Yes, I should specify that my only interest in Prime is as a video streaming service. I may revisit them down the road if I'm going to be making regular orders, but right now I'm not. I realize that in that regard, it would quickly pay for itself. And even, $80 up front for a year of a good video streaming service isn't that bad. It's just not worth it for Prime Video Canada so far, and I'd rather may month-to-month for standalone video like I think you can in the U.S.

I was just so excited when Prime Video Canada was revealed, as we'd recent lost Shomi (who licensed some of Amazon's stuff). Apparently Sundance has a Canadian streaming service now too, but like so many others they won't reveal the bulk of their selection until you sign up for a trial. (Devious and annoying.)

I too lament the difference between Canadian and American bundled services. For example, I signed up for Google Music thinking I'd get the bundled sub to Youtube Red. But of course, Youtube Red doesn't exist in Canada. I've recently gone back to Spotify. Though I do wish they had Google's "upload your own music" feature.