My first-world problem for today is that an Amazon Prime perk is ending. I got Amazon Prime a few years ago, primarily for the free shipping. Especially during the pandemic, getting a package, usually compact discs but occasionally books, brought me joy.
I had considered dropping it for political reasons, which I don’t need to discuss. Indeed, I made only one purchase on Amazon in 2025 for myself: a couple of computer mice (mice? meeses?).
However, I’ve been purchasing several items regularly for someone with a mobility problem, and it’s much easier to get them from one source than many. Also, the daughter has needed a few items.
“Amazon is ending a program that allows members of its Prime membership subscription program to share their free shipping benefits with people who don’t have the same primary address.”
Lots of “presents”
Also, “This doesn’t affect the ability to ship gifts to others or send orders to different addresses. It only ends the option for invitees to place their own orders without a Prime subscription while still enjoying free shipping.”
“Amazon is encouraging users who don’t live with the account holder to subscribe to their own membership at a discounted rate of $14.99 for one year. After that, it’s $14.99 per month or $139 annually. The offer starts Friday [September 5] and is valid until Dec. 31, 2025.” How kind.
Theoretically, I could order all these things and make them “gifts.” Still, frankly, there are so many items, some of which are out of stock, discontinued, or otherwise complicated, that I do not wish to add the inventory maintenance to my plate.
So, in the short term, the recipient will have their own account for the following year, which I’ll pay for. Then we’ll figure it out.
This is my understanding of the new Amazon process, which could be wrong. Feel free to correct me.