The good people at Amazon know how a subscription model works. They know that a regular Amazon user would love to get a package delivered in 2 days for free. They know it allows customers free streaming video content. They know that most people don't check their credit card statements. After using Prime for a month, who would want to return to the dark ages of waiting 5 days for a Hawaiian shirt to arrive?
At only $12.99 a month, it pays for itself every time you order a 10 gallon jar of spicy pickles since the shipping is free. I might as well do all my shopping on Amazon. They can just push ready made sandwiches through the mail slot so I'll never have to leave the house again. It is a smart business plan. Now every new purchase has to pass the, "can I get it cheaper on Amazon" test.
Instead of conditioning myself to buy everything on Amazon for the rest of my life, I created a money saving scheme for the modern age. It would require a certain level of cunning and discipline but like it says in the good book, the frugal shall reap the savings.
I have been keeping a list of some things that I need/want to buy for the last few months. Shirts, computer parts, trivia components, books. These items are all much cheaper on Amazon. After placing my first order I signed up for Amazon Prime. After which I noted the date and pulled out my digital calendar. I marked a day a little less than one month from now as "Cancel Amazon prime day". There is no obligation so I will not be charged for the service if I can remain committed to canceling before the end of my month.
I live in Austin so some of the items have arrived the day after I ordered them. It truly is a modern marvel. The funny thing is I have played this little One free month of prime game a couple of times now and they just keep offering it a couple months later. That gives me enough time to build up another list of essentials. They must think they can erode my resolve if I continue to utilize the service. That may work for the majority of their customers but they have rarely tangled with someone who would wear the same underwear for the rest of his life if they would only stop falling apart.
