MoulinBlu Jun 15, 2013 We'll all be paying internet tax sooner or later. Unfortunately, rather than offsetting taxes by trying to be the price leader they were just a few short years ago, amazon's answer to the future playing-field-leveler (taxes) is to be the first online company to offer same day delivery. Instead of saving the consumer money - which is why most people started buying online over a decade ago - they're reportedly banking on a massive distribution chain of new warehouses to be able to offer consumers more immediate gratification like they get from buying locally. I still can't imagine how they hope to deliver something the same day people order it without charging an arm and a leg, when they're reportedly losing money on prime 2-day shipping even now - today, you can live right next door to a warehouse and still not get your order any faster than someone 100 miles away - but maybe they have a plan for that too. But, that's their vision of the future that was reported in the news a couple years ago, and their prices have been climbing ever since: A relatively tiny amazon market-place vendor should not have the buying power to offer movies at a greater discount than amazon, yet amazon doesn't offer the best price on most of the items they sell, despite the high commissions they charge on third-party sells.



And it's amazing how many items have "mistakenly" inflated SRPs on amazon. A mug found commonly at Walmart for $2 now costs $6 on amazon. It used to be only about 2-3 bucks on amazon too, when part of their add-on item program. Then they removed the $25 minimum order requirement and jacked the price; apparently they can't afford to sell it without double charging on shipping. Coffee makers that sold for less than $20 a year ago, are now as high as $40 or full SRP, assuming you believe amazon's SRP over other online vendors. There's no end to the examples. Personally, I think they're in store for a rude awakening if they think the majority consumer is going to pay more for the convenience or priviledge of buying from amazon.



They still have some good deals, especially when they're pricematching, even if only for those of us who don't have to pay taxes yet. But, you can't justify a prime membership based on how much you're saving anymore. Once more people start paying taxes, they'll probably re-evaluate how much they're really saving vs buying locally and realize that amazon isn't what it once was.