Amazon Offering A New Way To Shop
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Years ago buying things over the internet and your phone was unheard of. Now almost everyone does it. So what's next? Getting your purchase delivered within minutes.
Recently, online retailer Amazon launched this new way to shop in South Florida. CBS4's David Sutta put the prices and service to the test.
It's something many people dread, yet most do it every week; shopping. Whether it's toilet paper, or laundry detergent, or groceries, the weekly trip to the neighborhood Publix is inevitable. Now, online retailer Amazon is looking to make it easier.
Nina Akerley Lindsey, Amazon's spokeswoman, explained "It's a great opportunity for customers who need things super fast, who are looking for a convenient way to skip the store."
For years, Amazon has been selling something called a Prime Membership that delivers you goods for free usually in two days.
This year the company began offering something in South Florida called Prime Now. They promise delivery in just one hour and it's quite popular.
"For example I know my friends that have children. The kids are napping and you have errands that you need to do. Great way to get those items delivered to you without having to leave the house and without having to wake your child from their afternoon nap," Akerley Lindsey said.
She spoke about the top items South Florida is buying.
"What seems to be the most popular right now are sort of those pantry and food items," said Akerley Lindsey.
Is it convenient? Absolutely but are you overpaying? How much time are you really saving?
With a list of 10 everyday items, Sutta used Prime Now to order and CBS4 Special Projects Producer Howard Bernstein headed to Publix to pick up the exact same items.
Immediately, the ordering hit a roadblock. Sutta couldn't find Prime Now on the internet. Prime Now is only on your phone via an app.
Once downloaded, he quickly added the products, entered his delivery address, and made a payment. If he wanted the stuff delivered within an hour, he had to pay an additional $8. Once the order was in, a nifty little map popped up showing Sutta where his purchase was in relation to where he was located.
Meanwhile, Howard had driven to Publix and filled up his cart. While he's checking out, Sutta was working and getting stuff done. About 36 minutes into their test, Howard was on his way out and Sutta's Prime Now order was already there! Howard arrived with his groceries a few minutes later.
So here is how it broke down. First - price:
The Amazon bill came out to $52.18 including tax. Then add a $7.99 delivery fee for delivery within an hour, plus a $5 dollar tip for the delivery guy. The total for the Prime Now order ended up at $65.17.
As for the Publix order, it came out to $54.62 in total including tax. That means there was a savings of $10.55 going to Publix. However, if Sutta had used Amazon's free delivery, meaning he would get it in 2 to 4 hours, he wouldn't have paid the $8 delivery fee. That means Sutta would have saved just $2.56 going to Publix.
The next test was time. Amazon took 36 minutes from order to delivery. Howard's trip to Publix and back took 41 minutes.So, Amazon saved Sutta just five minutes. However, remember Sutta was working that entire time instead of shopping.
The bottom line is for the person who's too busy to shop, Amazon Prime Now seems to be a good fit and it's fairly priced.
There is a downside though. Those in a hurry will pay a bit more for delivery. You are also missing sales, like Publix's weekly buy one get one sales. Also Prime Now does not offer produce, meat, dairy, beer or wine.
"We are expanding rapidly, so definitely stay tuned for more news on that," Amazon said. Either way you still gotta shop!
Also, Amazon got Sutta's order wrong, in his favor. Instead of the one Cliff Bar he ordered, they gave them a case.
According to Amazon, Prime Now is most popular in West Kendall. If you would like to give it a try download the Prime Now app in the google and Apple app stores.
For $20 bucks off your first order, use the code Miaminew20. You can also find out if the service is available in your neighborhood.