How GIM Shops

I’ve been communicating online since the late 80’s and shopping online for 99% of all my shopping since 1996 or so. Back in the 90’s, there were lots of free shipping deals to get people online and shopping. After awhile, those deals faded away and were replaced by shipping fees. Lots of shipping fees.I found myself using amazon.com for most of my shopping needs, especially when they began to form associations with other stores like Target; Bed, Bath & Beyond; Office Depot; Borders Books & Music; and many others. Amazon was one place where I could shop and keep all of my purchase records in one place.

If I want to look up my shopping history right now for Christmas, 1998, I can (just took a peek and see I ordered a number of high school football themed books that year – my son was playing high school football at the time and those were for him). In 2002, I can see I was heavy into slow-cooking and bought the movie Clerks and Sex & the City and Soprano’s DVD. And someone received a very nice coffemaker (I know it wasn’t me because Gift Idea Mom has never had a cup of coffee in her life – no desire to even taste the stuff.) I can also see that 2002 is the year I began buying Gift Certificates for relatives.

As each year my online shopping increased, each year it became more apparent that there had to be a better way. A few years ago, I found that way.

Amazon.com offers a shipping service that many people are not familiar with, but can, in the long run, save you a lot. Its called Amazon Prime. For $79 a year, you get free two-day shipping, all year long, for as many products as you order from Amazon directly. If you want it OVERNIGHT, its $3.99. Yes, you heard me correctly – $3.99 for OVERNIGHT shipping. Personally, I find it pretty amazing. Most times I skip the overnight shipping and go for the free shipping and it ends up on my doorstep the next day anyway. Pretty amazing in my little world.
You don’t have to group your items either. If you want to place 5 orders in one day, they’ll ship you five separate boxes. All free.
Here’s a great example: I needed a new exercise bike. After reading reviews and checking out the bikes and delivery costs at my local sports store, I ordered the bike I wanted from Amazon, using Amazon Prime. Shipping would certainly have been more than my yearly fee for such a heavy item. It ended up costing ZERO because of my Amazon Prime Membership.
A word of advice, of course. Be sure to choose items on Amazon that say Amazon Prime. If you buy from an affiliated vendor, there is a chance it may not qualify from Amazon Prime shipping rates – Free or $3.99 for overnight and then normal shipping charges apply. For more info or to sign up, here’s the link: Amazon Prime.
Happy Shopping and may all your shipping charges amount to nothing,
Gift Idea Mom