Wondering how to buy on Amazon without Prime? Many of us have become habitual to the convenience of Amazon Prime: Free two-day shipping, access to video streaming services like Prime Video, Amazon musicdel and other perks.
However, what if you decide not to renew your Prime membership or have never signed up?
In that case, Amazon without Prime is still a viable option for online shopping, you just have to keep a few things in mind.
- First, there is no free or fast shipping for regular Amazon orders.
- Furthermore, shipping costs vary depending on the item and order size.
- In addition, free shipping requires a minimum order amount.
- Moreover, shipping times vary from 5 to 10 business days.
However, Amazon still runs regular sales and offers open to eligible customers, including non-Prime customers, with minimum purchases potentially affecting future purchases and the delivery window, throughout the year.
Furthermore, it’s worth signing up for offer alerts and promotional email address to stay on top of saving opportunities.
In addition, in this blog post, we’ll show you how to get the best deals, free shipping, and other perks on Amazon without Prime.
Likewise, whether you’re looking for books, electronics, clothing, or anything else, you can find it on Amazon at a reasonable price and with hassle-free and quick delivery.
How to use Amazon without Prime subscription ?
If you love shopping on Amazon, but don’t want to pay for a Prime membership, you may be wondering how to use Amazon without a Prime subscription.
In this section, we’ll share some tips and tricks on how to get the most out of Amazon without spending extra money on core benefits.
Follow below mentioned methods to shop on Amazon without prime subscription:
Check shipping costs and times before making payment: Standard shipping is no longer free without Prime. Be sure to take shipping costs into account when budgeting for purchases, considering your payment method and the shipping threshold.
Furthermore, consider combining several smaller orders into one larger order to qualify for minimum free shipping. Many items have a minimum order value like $25 for free standard shipping.
Additionally, sign up for Amazon Prime Store Card: Even without Prime membership, the store card offers 5% cash back on Amazon purchases with minimum spending levels. Redeem rewards for future orders.
Moreover, watch out for Lightning deals and limited-time discounts that may be exclusive to Prime: However, Amazon periodically holds other sales open to all customers.
Also, use Amazon Prime Video, prime music, Reading, or other prime benefits by signing up for a free 30-day Prime trial when you want temporary access.
Similarly, use the Amazon Visa Signature Card, which charges no annual fee or foreign transaction fees and provides a solid return on your spending at Amazon and Whole Foods. Furthermore, you can also earn 5% cash back on purchases at Amazon.com. In addition, you earn 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and pharmacies. Also, you receive 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Likewise, use the Subscribe and Save feature, which allows you to receive automatic shipments of essential and eligible products like pet food, toothpaste, and toilet paper, usually at a discounted price, without having to remember to order again. Furthermore, you can choose from different plans and save up to 15% on eligible items. In addition, you can also cancel or change your plan at any time.
Also Check: What is Amazon digital service ?
What is Amazon’s non-Prime shipping fee ?
If you’re not a Prime member, you may be wondering how much it costs to place an order on Amazon and how long it takes to receive your items, along with the membership benefits you might be missing out on.
Furthermore, in this section, we will explain the different factors that affect the shipping rate and delivery time for non-Prime users, including exclusive perks, delivery fee, and channel subscription considerations.
Standard Shipping: Orders over $25 qualify for free standard shipping, which usually takes 5-8 business days, as part of the single membership benefits. Furthermore, orders under $25 incur a shipping charge that varies by item and destination, but typically ranges between $3 and $5, reflecting the variety of items, service fees, and options for video storage and annual plans.
Expedited Shipping: Furthermore, for faster delivery of 1-3 business days, expedited shipping costs range from $3.99 to $9.99 depending on order total and item weight, while also considering potential delivery issues. Additionally, rates tend to be higher for heavier items, which may contribute to delivery issues.
One Day/Same Day Delivery: For 1-3 business day delivery, expedited shipping costs range from $3.99 to $9.99 depending on order total and item weight. Furthermore, for even faster 1 business day or same day delivery in select areas, costs range from $9.99 to $12.99 plus expedited shipping fees. In addition, availability depends on delivery location.
Local Delivery: Some items can be delivered from local warehouses for $2.99-4.99 and usually arrive in 1-2 business days.
International Shipping: Rates vary significantly depending on the destination country. However, they generally start at $9.99 and can be much higher. In fact, they are sometimes exceeding the cost of the item. Furthermore, delivery times are usually 5 to 10 business days.
Also Check: Do Amazon gift cards expire ?
How to save on Amazon shipping without Prime ?
If you shop on Amazon frequently, you might be tempted to sign up for Prime to get fast, free shipping. However, what happens if you don’t want to pay the annual or monthly fee?
As a result, in this section, we’ll share some tips and tricks to reduce or eliminate your shipping costs on Amazon without incurring a membership fee.
Meet the free shipping minimum
Order $25 or more
Amazon offers free standard shipping on orders of $25 or more for non-Prime members, incorporating the carrier into shipping process for millions of items.
Consequently, look for items with “Free Shipping” on their product pages, which is a testament to the efficient carrier into shipping system. However, this is not always the fastest option, as delivery usually takes 5-8 business days.
Gift Cards
Purchasing gift cards automatically qualifies for free one-day shipping, even if your total order total is less than $25. In addition, these can be convenient add-ons if you’re close to the threshold.
Use shipping tricks
Combine Orders
Group smaller purchases together to meet the $25 minimum. For this reason, consider waiting for items with longer delivery times to accumulate and order them together.
Check seller shipping
Not all items sold on Amazon are fulfilled by Amazon itself. Consequently, some third-party sellers offer their own shipping rates, which may be lower than Amazon’s standard rates.
Subscribe & Save
Set up recurring deliveries for everyday items through Subscribe & Save. Consequently, you’ll get free standard shipping on these orders and a discount on items itself. Furthermore, you can easily skip or adjust deliveries as needed.
Explore alternative options
Digital Content
For books, movies, music, and other digital media, consider purchasing digital versions instead of physical copies. Consequently, these usually come with free or discounted shipping options.
Local Stores
Compare prices with local retailers before buying everything on Amazon, the leading online retailer. Consequently, you may be able to find similar items for less with the added benefit of avoiding shipping costs.
Free Shipping Codes
Amazon sometimes offers temporary free shipping codes for specific categories or occasions. Furthermore, keep an eye out for these offers and promotions.
Also Check: How to request a refund on Amazon ?
What is the difference between having a Prime subscription and not having one ?
Prime membership offers unique benefits, while non-Prime shopping remains a viable option.
| With a Prime subscription | Without Prime subscription |
| Fast Delivery: Enjoy free one- to two-day shipping on eligible items, a major perk for frequent online shoppers. Say goodbye to standard shipping wait times! | Standard Shipping: Prepare for longer wait times, with standard shipping rates applied to your Amazon orders. Patience is key! |
| Entertainment Center – Access a vast library of movies and TV shows on Prime Video, keeping you entertained for hours. No need to subscribe to separate streams. | Limited Content: Access to streaming content may be restricted, requiring individual subscriptions for specific platforms or paid rentals of movies and TV shows. |
| Music on Demand: Stream millions of songs ad-free with Prime Music, perfect for creating custom playlists or discovering new songs. | Ad-supported music: Free music options may include ad interruptions, disrupting your listening experience. Consider paid subscriptions or ad-free alternatives. |
| Bookworm Bliss: Dive into a curated selection of free e-books and audiobooks with Prime Reading, offering a variety of genres to explore. | E-book expenses: Purchasing e-books and audiobooks becomes an additional cost, potentially limiting your reading options. |
| Shopping Savvy: Unlock exclusive deals and deep discounts on Amazon products, potentially saving you money on your purchases. | Regular Prices: You miss out on exclusive deals and discounts available through the membership option for Prime members when you pay the standard price for Amazon products. |
| Lightning Strikes Fast – Get early access to Lightning Deals, limited-time deals that can get you amazing discounts before they disappear. | Lightning Lag: You don’t have early access to Lightning Deals, which could result in you missing out on flash sale deals. |
| Photo Freedom: Store unlimited photos in the cloud with Prime Photos, ensuring your precious memories are always safe and accessible. | Photo Storage Limits: Free photo storage may be limited, requiring paid upgrades for larger collections or long-term archiving. |
| Beyond Shopping: Enjoy additional prime benefits like free grocery delivery services, Twitch Prime membership with free games and in-game items, and more, depending on your location. | Photo Storage Limits: Free photo storage may be limited, requiring paid upgrades for larger collections or long-term archiving. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, non-Prime Amazon shopping is smart and fulfilling with the right deals and shipping savings.
Consequently, a diverse selection of competitively priced products with dependable delivery is available.
Furthermore, use some of the Prime features, by signing up for a free trial or using a rewards credit card.
Additionally, subscribe and Save: get essentials delivered cheaply and quickly. Amazon without Prime: less convenient, still smart and easy.
Reference:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GJ2LTMLFGGMH67M7
www.reddit.com/r/amazonprime/comments/1arioy2/first_purchase_without_prime/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GZCHXL8CUW3VWJQP
Frequently Asked Question’s (FAQ’s)
Yes, you can get free shipping on Amazon without Prime, but it depends on the item and the seller. Free shipping for some items, others need minimum order.
Yes, you can watch Amazon Prime if you don’t have Prime: buy/rent titles, use free trial/credit card
Yes, you can keep the Prime credit card without Prime, but you won’t get all the benefits of the card. With a minimum spend, Prime card gives 5% and standard card 3% cash back on Amazon.
