I was curious too when I read Terriks thread. I priced a number of items ... Dove bar soap, Pantene, Tide, Scott Naturals toilet tissue, Science Diet cat food ... all were more expensive than what I pay locally. I have 3 grocery stores within a mile of the house and within 7 miles any shopping I need, so no advantage in my case, but I can see how it would be for some.

I find that like everything else, one has to know their prices. We are on a strict budget so I know what items I save on at Amazon and which I do not. I generally compare things to the best price I can get an item on sale. Sometimes Amazon does come out ahead, sometimes not. Prices do change at Amazon as well so I always pay attention before ordering again (you have the option to decline an order). However, I have a sister who lives in rural Alaska where the selection is small and the prices high, Amazon is a great boon to her.

I think you are confusing "Amazon Prime" and "Amazon Subscribe and Save".

Amazon Prime is unlimited two-day shipping that you pay a yearly fee for. You are correct that it probably is not cost effective since so many of your favorite products cost less locally.

Amazon Subscribe and Save is a NO-COST option for you to save even more on a product (is it 10%? ) plus get free shipping. The only effort involved is to set up the subscription. I subscribe to S & S for my probiotic Pearls...

$28.00 - cost at local store
$25.00 - Amazon price
$22.50 - Amazon S & S price
Free - shipping.

I don't do this on everything, just the items where it makes sense. I also love the subscription service - I don't need to kep track of when I am running low and don't need to remember to get it the next time I am out.

This doesn't make financial sense for me to do with many household items - I would love it for toilet paper! - but have recently noticed that some of my skin care items are offered with S&S at better prices than locally. I wonder if you would see better savings in health & beauty products than in household products.

Nicole

Nicole - not sure if your response was to me or another response? If so, I'm not confusing them. I am looking at S&S prices. Toilet paper was one of the items I checked prices on. I checked things like tp, dishwasher and dish detergents, laundry detergent, other paper products, etc. I had more items that I can buy here at my preferred grocery store for less. There were a few items on S&S that were actually less. I didn't price any health and beauty items. I will have to check those out.

I don't seem to buy enough from Amazon for "prime" to be beneficial.

tina

Tina, I've found what you have . . .not all S/S items are cheaper, that's for sure! Some of them are actually a lot more expensive. This is true of Amazon in general, with the exception of books, I think. (Seems like they are always cheaper at Amazon.)

I have also been exploring drugstore.com and soap.com.

However,lately I've been using a grocery delivery service. It's either that or we do a lot of eating out. I am finding it cheaper than going to the store, too-- usually my husband does the shopping and he ALWAYS overbuys. So, while I am spending more per item, I am ultimately spending less because I buy only exactly what we need, and I meal plan at the same time.

For some people, fewer trips to the store, too, means they spend less.

RE: Amazon Prime-- not sure if you are all aware of this, but you can split it w/other people. Only the main account gets all the benefits, but the others get the fast, free shipping.

tina, yes, I was responding to your post. Specifically this line...

"There were a few items that were less through amazon subscribe & save. Not sure it is worth it for just a few items..."

My point being that is IS worth it - even for a few items - because there is no additional cost involved and minimal effort.

You mentioned Amazon Prime again, which brings up the question... Do you realize that you do not need Prime in order to realize the benefits of Subscribe & Save, including the free shipping?

I don't mean to belabor the point, it really isn't that big a deal - :-) !! It is easy to confuse the two services, just wanted to make sure you knew the difference between the two. To me, your post sounded like one needs Prime in order to get free shipping with S&S. I just wanted to make sure you knew that wasn't the case.

Nicole

I also subscribe to a local grocery delivery service. It's specifically natural, organic and local food & products. I only like a few of there meat products so I make a once a month trip to Whole Foods or Central Market for meat. Amazon's S&S is a nice way for me to round out my shopping without going to the store. It works for me because

1.) I hate shopping,
2.) I always have what I need,
3.) It helps me to keep up with my weekly menus which also helps us to eat better and not go out as often,
4.) I actually end up buying less because I don't go "rouge" in the grocery store,
5.) I'm self-employed and truly feel my time is money so the less time I have to spend on doing things I want to do and not on what I have to do keeps my stress level down.

I'm getting my first Amazon S&S on Tuesday. I can even use the boxes and packaging because my Mom has gone crazy with selling stuff on ebay and she needs boxes and packaging material all the time.

Thanks Nicole - we are on the same page even if it doesn't seem so! LOL I know the difference between the two. I know the S&S has free shipping, a lower price, etc. I realize it is only certain items also. And yes, I would still save with a few items, I guess I should have worded that differently. It would not be a substantial savings for us. A dollar saved is a dollar saved, I'm just not sure if I want to do the S&S for a very few items that I can get quite conveniently here. I haven't taken the time to go back and look at more items, but I am going to do that before deciding.

I referred to Amazon Prime again because you had mentioned it. I know what it is and don't use it because I don't buy enough from Amazon to make it worthwhile. Anele - thanks for mentioning that Prime can be shared - but I can't think of anyone right off to share the service with.

I really do prefer to shop local but thought I might order some basic household supplies and pet supplies thorugh the S&S. I still may give it a try! I can cancel at any time, so why not?

Thanks for trying to set me straight LOL.

tina

No problem, Tina. I was afraid I was coming across as a bossy know-it-all, and I really just wanted to make sure you knew the dealio, so to speak!

Ooooh, pet supplies. My dog is fed a "boutique" brand that I have to make a special trip to the store for. I've started ordering it through Amazon and I love it! The pet store is only three miles away and Amazon is about the same price as the store but I love that I don't have to wrestle with the heavy bag putting it in the car and bringing it in to the house. This way, the UPS guy brings it right to the front door!

It is NOT offered with a S & S option (but is deleivered free because I have Prime). I just wish it did have S & S so I don't even have to think about ordering it. Every six weeks, it would just appear!

Nicole

I'm a little late in getting into this discussion but hopefully, Anele will see this question that I have for her:

Anele, referring to your comments about splitting an Amazon Prime membership with other people, when you said "Only the main account gets all the benefits", what do you mean? I have had an Amazon Prime account for 2 years now, and I do share it. Prior to me getting my own Prime membership, I was an invitee or sharer (whatever the term would be) on my daughter's Prime membership. I'm not aware of any difference between being the primary member or being one of the people sharing that membership. What did you mean about the main account getting ALL the benefits? Just want to know what I'm missing out on. LOL

The Prime primary holder can also download certain Kindle items that aren't available for free to the non primary member.

maire_cate, thanks. I don't have a Kindle so hadn't thought of that. Do you know if being able to download free Kindle items is the ONLY additional benefit (that the primary member has & the secondary members don't), or is that just ONE of the benefits that you know of?

The main Prime holder can also stream movies and TV shows.