At least 39 euros
Amazon is probably planning a higher minimum order value – so you can avoid shipping costs for smaller orders
Without a Prime subscription, an Amazon order below a certain value costs shipping fees. With one exception.
©Amazon
It seems that Amazon will soon raise the minimum order value from currently 29 euros to 39 euros. If you are below that, you have to shell out 3.99 euros. But: With a trick, these shipping costs can be saved even without a Prime subscription.
Amazon is apparently on the verge of raising the minimum order value for free shipping. This is reported by several media, including “Caschy’s blog“. It is currently at 29 euros. On an updated info page, which was changed again after it became known, Amazon briefly raised it to 39 euros. Amazon officially speaks of a test, but those who know the online retailer now expect a final adjustment at any time.
Amazon minimum order value does not apply to Prime customers
But whether it’s 29 or 39 euros: If an order does not exceed this limit, 2.99 or 3.99 euros shipping costs are due. This is particularly annoying if you just need a cable or smaller items that don’t even come close to the value Amazon wants.
In general, this limit only applies to customers who have not taken out a Prime subscription. Anyone who shells out 8.99 euros a month for membership will continue to get free (and faster) shipping on most items, among other things. If you do not use Prime, you would theoretically have to order more for free delivery.
Years ago there was the so-called “book trick” for exactly this situation. By adding a cheap tome, which can sometimes be found for as little as a euro, especially on Amazon’s second-hand marketplace, the entire order qualified for free shipping. It does not work anymore. The book shipping is still free, but only if you really only order the book.
Amazon without Prime: How to save on shipping costs
There is currently only one method of ordering goods for a few euros without shipping costs. If you decide when ordering not to specify your own address as the destination, but a pick-up station, Amazon will waive the fees.
It’s very simple: Place an item in the shopping cart that qualifies for free delivery once the minimum order value has been reached. These are usually all products that Amazon itself sells or ships. On the overview pages, the offers can also be filtered according to this criterion. Just click on “Free Shipping by Amazon”.
Put the desired item in the shopping cart and go to the checkout. If you now select a pick-up station when choosing the shipping address, shipping is completely eliminated. Collection stations can be Amazon Locker, DHL Packstations, post offices or Hermes shops. Especially in big cities, the way is often not far.
If you absolutely want delivery to your front door and are only slightly below the minimum order value, adding so-called filler items is a good idea. Hygiene items such as toothpaste, tampons or deodorant sprays are particularly popular for “filling up” the shopping basket, but also office items such as adhesive tape or a new ballpoint pen.
Also read:
Amazon wants to show off its new e-book reader – including the writing function. But that’s the problem
Record ship “Y721” is not enough for him: Jeff Bezos bought the second mega yacht – as a pack mule