If you are only spending money on small priced items, this update from Amazon is good news. Now if your total order comes in under $10, you can get free shipping on it in the US. This news comes via Bloomberg this week. The update from Amazon.com Inc. for free shipping applies to all Amazon.com customers, not just those with Amazon Prime. There is no order minimum either.
There are many small items on Amazon’s web store that will be eligible, whether that be makeup, earplugs or another item. This initiative is part of Amazon’s strategy to target customers who are cost-conscious. This segment of the market has caught eBay’s line of sight lately too.
Now with the free shipping option, it provides an opportunity to court a wider group of consumers, whether they have Prime membership or not. Amazon Prime, the yearly membership that offers its members two-day shipping, will be eligible to get the free shipping for under $10 option too in addition to free same-day delivery within specific large cities.
The update on free shipping will provide consumers with less worry about their shipping costs being more than the size of the small items they are buying. This new option applies to items that weigh eight ounces (230 grams) or less. Typically these items are valued under $10.
For orders that meet this new shipping option guidelines, they will ship specifically from Florence, Kentuky. That is where the program, called Fulfillment by Amazon Small and Light, will base itself. As for how long the shipping will take, the estimate is between four to eight days.
This new venture of Amazon.com will provide retailers like Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Target Corp. with more competition. This point is especially valid with there being no minimum order amount and consumers not needing to be Amazon Prime members to get the freebie.