Has anybody noticed that Amazon vendors are now charging $3.98 for shipping? It's been $2.98 up until now with no discount for multiple items, so they were already making money on the shipping. I buy used CDs and these vendors have been my number one resource for years backed by the Amazon guarantee. I just bought 4 CDs for $15.00 and the shipping charge was $15.92.
So does anybody have a favorite site to buy used? (In US with return policy). What about discogs for used?
I may have missed it in one of the previous posts, but the increased postal charges for THIRD PART SELLERs (what used to be called Z-sellers), increased one dollar. I'm sure this was at the request of these sellers to cover their shipping costs. I think it will prove a double-edged sword, as in many cases the increased shipping charge will bring the reseller price very close to Amazon's list price. I never pay shipping at Amazon because I aggregate my orders in batches of $25 or more and get the free Super Saver shipping. SO if a reseller has the item at $6, and Amazon at $10, I will get it from Amazon.
Import CDs is an Amazon vender but has their own site. Shipping rates are $2.98 for up to 2 CDs, then $1.49 for each additional CD. Prices are slightly higher on ImportCDs.com but it's a good site when buying multiple items. Nevertheless, Amazon still has a strangle hold on the CD/DVD market.
Items fulfilled by Amazon Marketplace sellers. Magazine subscriptions. Personalized gift cards. Any item that doesn't have a message indicating that it's eligible for Prime on its product page.
What got my goat was Amazons practice of breaking up shipments into groups instead of just one shipment (when it came to CDs and DVDs). They tried that once with me and it set off a mini campaign of acrimony on my part that was followed by all sorts of excuses on their part. It never happened again.
As for the price increase, I guess with that 1/2% profit that they're choking on they didn't notice what effect it would have. :-)
Monopolization has always ended up in price increases and lower customer service since, de facto, they're the only well known game in town. Amazon just wants to become another utility, like the gas company. No one looks for another source of gas.
If you ask me, Amazon's rate for shipping used, third-party music and movie items is a bargain. If you buy a lot of items frequently, then you might want to consider Joining Amazon Prime; then you don't have to spend at least $25 to get free shipping. This applies to used music and movie items too.
"I believe that Amazon has actually pushed down prices almost across the board for many commoditized items, much as Wal Mart did. I don't really know if that's a good thing though. They left a lot of carnage in their wake."
I believe that. But by their recent price increases, I think they'll soon learn that there are other players in the market. I'm sure I'm not the only one looking for alternatives.
Thanks, Brownsfan. Presto looks to be cheaper than Arkiv.
Viridian, if I follow your reasoning, I think your comment is very insightful and is something that has occurred to me as well. We all seek low prices, but in the long run, our interests may not be well served by driving prices to the lowest possible point. Unintended consequences = carnage.
I just noticed that myself and I do ( did ) buy allot of disc's through Amazon. I was averaging about 3-5 per month....the overall increase is $1.01 so it is now a $4.00 charge to ship a single disc. They are no longer competitive and I will find somewhere else to buy my music
Viridian, Thanks for posting the chart showing amazon's profit margin. What scoundrels, pirates they are. Why, for the most part, they are operating in the black. Typical behavior for 1%'er's. How do they sleep at night?
Could be in anticipation of the internet transaction tax being discussed by the rocket scientists in Washington. A new Federal internet tax would definitely affect Amazon and most of the small retailers out there..
For those who buy classical music, it is worth checking out Presto. I find that occasionally I get much better prices from them than from amazon, and you do get a discount on shipping when buying multiple items.
Tomcy6... the private sellers charge per cd or dvd, no discounts for multiple items. They are also selling them at a lower cost than Amazon. This info is on their "Storefront." I have been paying $2.98 shipping for many years but it's been worth it when the cd is half the price of Amazon.
It also seems to me that Amazon has been raising their prices on CDs lately.
According to Amazon's FAQ they charge $2.99 per order and $.99 per item. So if you buy more than one cd, dvd, etc. from the same seller the shipping charge will be lower, $4.97 for two items, for example. Buying one item will be more, $3.98. That's how I read it anyway.
Harri009...This is taken from their website under the Shipping Information tab:
"The shipping charge for Movies, Music and Video Games is based on a "Per Product" flat fee. (i.e. shipping charges for 3 movies would be $2.88)"
I have ordered numerous times and have only been charged the .96 flat fee per item. I even ordered a few LPs and was only charged the .96 flat fee. Maybe I just got lucky.
I actually just went on their site and added a few CDs to my cart and sure enough .96 per item shipping. I really think it's their normal charge.
goHastings is pretty good. They only charge .96 per item shipping. I have bought a ton of stuff from them on the Amazon Marketplace, but now just buy direct from them.
I also saw the shipping price increase on the Amazon Marketplace. The old $2.98 was fine for CDs, but I think the LP and DVD sellers were angry. Amazon needs to breakout the CDs from the rest of the items instead of grouping them all together.
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