Amazon has raised its minimum spend for free home deliveries from £25 to £35 for non-Amazon Prime members, leaving many customers feeling let down.
This 40% increase means you’ll now have to spend a lot more to avoid delivery charges.
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The change quietly appeared on Amazon’s website this week, catching many by surprise.
Customers have shared their disappointment, with some calling the move “sneaky.”
One social media user said, “Amazon UK has bumped the minimum spend for free delivery to £35! How greedy can you get?”
Another added that they will be going to the high street to purchase items from now on.
While Amazon Prime members still get free delivery on most orders, there are some exceptions.
For instance, superfast “Same Day & Overnight Delivery” services now cost £1.99 if the order is under £20.
Non-Prime members can dodge delivery fees by choosing to collect orders from an Amazon locker or a Pickup Location, although not all items are eligible for this option.
Here are some tips to help you avoid delivery charges
- Find filler items: Use our Amazon Discount Finder tool to uncover small items that help you reach the £35 free delivery threshold when you’re close. Pick a category, then pick a max price to get your basket to the right level.
- Combine orders: Hold off on smaller purchases and combine them to reach the £35 threshold for free delivery on items dispatched by Amazon.
- Check for book discounts: Orders with £10 or more in books dispatched by Amazon still qualify for free delivery on the entire order. If you’re looking for a good book, why not pick up a copy of our book, Make Every Penny Count?
- Use Pickup Locations: For items dispatched by Amazon, choose the option for free collection from a local shop, Post Office, or Amazon Locker.
- Verify delivery fees: Non-Prime members face delivery charges from 99p to £4.99 unless the order exceeds £35, or is fulfilled by Amazon.
- Is it worth it?: Consider if Amazon Prime’s benefits, including free one-day delivery and access to exclusive content, justify the cost for you.
An Amazon spokesperson explained, “There are a number of external factors influencing shipping costs right now. We are constantly innovating and working to bring more value to our customers, and customers who are not Prime members will receive free shipping on all orders above £35.”
This change has clearly upset many, making it harder for people to take advantage of free delivery without spending more.
With costs rising everywhere, this move by Amazon is yet another hit to household budgets.
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Clare Moss says
I will now be shopping on Ebay. Most items offer free delivery and the choice is pretty good. Can’t afford to always spend over £35 having recently paid for a funeral and burial. Don’t want Prime as not interested in streaming services, music etc. Just shows how greedier and greedier those wil millions can be! I don’t think I’ll be the only one now shopping elsewhere. Ebay sells most of what I need and usually at better prices without the postage.