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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jun 7, 2017 18:32:02 GMT
npr linkThoughts? Do you think other retailers will offer incentives and discounts to people on government assistance, in hopes of garnering their business?
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Post by papersilly on Jun 7, 2017 18:44:47 GMT
hmmmmm, i'm conflicted about this. i'm all for giving those who are less fortunate a break on life's basic needs but is Prime one of them?
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valleyview
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 27, 2014 18:41:26 GMT
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Post by valleyview on Jun 7, 2017 18:45:26 GMT
I think it's fair. People who are poor often cannot access money savings in shopping because of transportation and shipping costs. I think that it is a win-win, but I'm sure that someone will scream about whether or not streaming and free books should be part of the deal.
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used2scrap
Drama Llama
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Post by used2scrap on Jun 7, 2017 18:46:39 GMT
I would think this is Amazon going after Walmart.
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Post by deshacrafts on Jun 7, 2017 18:49:36 GMT
I thought that is what I heard this morning. I don't really like it. I work hard for my money, if they want to lower the cost, they should lower it for everyone. Just because I am able to work and make a decent living (we can pay our bills without much left over) I have to pay extra. I'm a little tired of that reasoning.
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Post by mom on Jun 7, 2017 18:51:13 GMT
hmmmmm, i'm conflicted about this. i'm all for giving those who are less fortunate a break on life's basic needs but is Prime one of them? This is my thinking. SaveSave |
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PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by PrettyInPeank on Jun 7, 2017 18:51:22 GMT
I thought that is what I heard this morning. I don't really like it. I work hard for my money, if they want to lower the cost, they should lower it for everyone. Just because I am able to work and make a decent living (we can pay our bills without much left over) I have to pay extra. I'm a little tired of that reasoning. Do you feel that way about my student discount? |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jun 7, 2017 18:55:21 GMT
i'm all for giving those who are less fortunate a break on life's basic needs but is Prime one of them? I don't think there is anything altruistic about what Amazon is doing. I think it is all about rounding up more dollars, and more pockets to take them from. I would think this is Amazon going after Walmart. Absolutely. if they want to lower the cost, they should lower it for everyone. I totally agree. And to touch on the above mentioned Amazon going after Walmart, well WM doesn't offer free 2 day shipping to only a certain segment of the population. They offer it to anyone who reaches the $35 minimum. I think there will probably be a lot of backlash from people who do pay full price to use Prime, and do not qualify for government assistance. Add on question: Does anyone think people might find the lower Prime price enough of an incentive to try to get gov't assistance when they might not have bothered in the first place? |
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Post by myboysnme on Jun 7, 2017 18:56:08 GMT
I think it's fair. People who are poor often cannot access money savings in shopping because of transportation and shipping costs. I think that it is a win-win, but I'm sure that someone will scream about whether or not streaming and free books should be part of the deal. This is a very good point. Now I know many people think what is someone on govt assistance doing with computer and internet to order in the first place? But if they have a way to order, with phone or library computer or tablet or whatever, then yes, why not save on shipping costs? |
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Post by peanutterbutter on Jun 7, 2017 18:56:19 GMT
I work with a lot of people who are on SSI and SSD. In the area we live in their access to so many things is limited due to poor transportion, in addition to a lack of funds. If this enables them to get some necessities a little more easily or have some added entertainment, I am okay with it, because people really have very little left for extras.
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Olan
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by Olan on Jun 7, 2017 18:56:46 GMT
I work really hard too  but I don't begrudge new mothers or college students discounts. Especially when a senior citizen discount is right around the corner. How can we claim to be the greatest country in the world when we don't have universal health and poor people are treated like second class citizens. |
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Post by deshacrafts on Jun 7, 2017 19:00:18 GMT
I thought that is what I heard this morning. I don't really like it. I work hard for my money, if they want to lower the cost, they should lower it for everyone. Just because I am able to work and make a decent living (we can pay our bills without much left over) I have to pay extra. I'm a little tired of that reasoning. Do you feel that way about my student discount? I don't know how to answer that and not come off as an a$$hole. I'm just tired of paying full price while others are getting the same thing for less.
ETA: As I said before, lower it for all not just for some.Save |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:06:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2017 19:03:00 GMT
I feel mixed about this as well. I'm thinking that those who Amazon hopes to benefit still won't be able to afford the reduced membership fee and is Prime really a necessity? If anything, Amazon should lower the minimum free shipping requirement.
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Post by not2peased on Jun 7, 2017 19:08:40 GMT
I have no issue at all with a discount for pretty much anyone. businesses use discounts to attract more business, and they are almost never applied across the board.
poor people often pay more for things so evening things out a bit is fine by me. also, Amazon isn't a charity, so they are doing this as a calculated business decision. Bonus points if it helps someone less fortunate.
I get discounts all the time, based on my spending habits at certain sites/stores, my credit score, etc etc. I get them because the amount of $ I spend, or my consumer profile, and not everyone else gets that same discount. there are also AAA discounts, senior discounts, good student discounts, etc.
It surprises me that anyone would be against this, and I wonder if anyone who hates the idea turns down discounts only available to their consumer subset-because it's "unfair"
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Post by not2peased on Jun 7, 2017 19:10:39 GMT
I feel mixed about this as well. I'm thinking that those who Amazon hopes to benefit still won't be able to afford the reduced membership fee and is Prime really a necessity? If anything, Amazon should lower the minimum free shipping requirement. it's a necessity if things you need to buy are not readily available. given the transportation situation, especially for the rural poor, this could still save them $ and ensure they can buy things they need at the best price possible. It makes me sad how many people keep score over these types of things. The score keeping seems to be applied disproportionately to the poor, IME. It's too bad |
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Post by 5peanutsnana on Jun 7, 2017 19:12:14 GMT
From reading the comments on the article Yahoo posted about this, many people are calling to cancel their Amazon Prime and are encouraging others to do the same. We shall see how this plays out. Is Social Security considered govt assistance? Because I am a little old lady on SS.  |
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Post by lucyg on Jun 7, 2017 19:14:14 GMT
Do you feel that way about my student discount? I don't know how to answer that and not come off as an a$$hole. I'm just tired of paying full price while others are getting the same thing for less.
ETA: As I said before, lower it for all not just for some.SaveOthers who have less money than you. I get it, I do. Life is expensive and a mid-range income can be hard to stretch. I have to pick and choose where to spend my money, too. But I'm not going to begrudge people living on government assistance or other low-level income a price break offered by a store that wants them to be able to shop there. They need it a lot more than I do, and I'm grateful for that. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2017 19:14:16 GMT
I feel mixed about this as well. I'm thinking that those who Amazon hopes to benefit still won't be able to afford the reduced membership fee and is Prime really a necessity? If anything, Amazon should lower the minimum free shipping requirement. it's a necessity if things you need to buy are not readily available. given the transportation situation, especially for the rural poor, this could still save them $ and ensure they can buy things they need at the best price possible. It makes me sad how many people keep score over these types of things. The score keeping seems to be applied disproportionately to the poor, IME. It's too bad But anyone can still qualify for free shipping by spending the minimum. Asking someone on limited funds to spend $5.99/mo for a membership to obtain two day shipping is a lot of money just to get something quicker. That's why I feel lowering the minimum shipping requirement would be more beneficial. |
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Post by princesscubby on Jun 7, 2017 19:20:26 GMT
Keep in mind, the difference between the full price and the discounted price is $27 a year. That's it.
Lowering the free shipping threshold might be helpful, but Prime memberships include so many other benefits, not just free shipping.
I think it's a nice gesture and certainly won't be complaining about paying full price, nor will I cancel my membership because someone else is paying $27 less per year.
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Post by jassy on Jun 7, 2017 19:23:55 GMT
I think this is BRILLIANT, and I'm thrilled to see it (and no I don't qualify). It is expensive to BE poor - transportation issues, living in places without access to any competing stores, the inability to comparison shop because your choices are limited. And I would think a lot of poor, disabled people will benefit greatly. The people of means who complain about this likely don't stop to think about all the perks, advantages, and lower costs they pay for many things just by virtue of NOT being poor - even from the smallest thing like buying newspapers to print coupons, printing coupons at home, printing from multiple devices in order to get a better price, owning a car which means you can buy in bulk when you see a great sale at the store, being able to jump in your car to get to a great sale you hear about, on and on and on. If this helps even a little, I'm all for it - and I don't care that I pay more. How Expensive It is To Be Poor |
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Post by oliquig on Jun 7, 2017 19:23:59 GMT
To qualify for this in my state, I would have to earn less than 15,444 per year.
I'm ok paying full price for prime. I get lower priced tickets for things through my union, lower gas prices through my grocery store, and the perk of free hair cuts due to a bff in the biz. This reminds me of the fence cartoon about Equity vs. Equality.
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Post by mnmloveli on Jun 7, 2017 19:26:15 GMT
I thought that is what I heard this morning. I don't really like it. I work hard for my money, if they want to lower the cost, they should lower it for everyone. Just because I am able to work and make a decent living (we can pay our bills without much left over) I have to pay extra. I'm a little tired of that reasoning. Ditto ! So true ! |
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Post by deshacrafts on Jun 7, 2017 19:27:25 GMT
I don't know how to answer that and not come off as an a$$hole. I'm just tired of paying full price while others are getting the same thing for less.
ETA: As I said before, lower it for all not just for some.SaveOthers who have less money than you. I get it, I do. Life is expensive and a mid-range income can be hard to stretch. I have to pick and choose where to spend my money, too. But I'm not going to begrudge people living on government assistance or other low-level income a price break offered by a store that wants them to be able to shop there. They need it a lot more than I do, and I'm grateful for that. Lucy, I don't begrudge those people a break, but give it to all not just some. I didn't grow up in a house with much money, so it's not like I don't understand. I just think in this case, give it to all not just some. |
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Post by darkangel090260 on Jun 7, 2017 19:27:25 GMT
Since we can get this discount, I will be getting it for september october november and december. it will help with christmas shopping and picking up some house hold thing we need. I will not have to try and get to the store. All store are 2 busses to get to .
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NoWomanNoCry
Drama Llama
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Post by NoWomanNoCry on Jun 7, 2017 19:29:00 GMT
This was brought up in one of my fb groups today and it's caused a huge uproar in there. I didn't comment I just read but I will say some of the people who commented on it that are on food stamps and all for it brought up a decent point being..few of them live in the city (one in Baltimore, MD specifically) they stated they don't have cars and there are no legit grocery stores in the area other than the neighborhood gas station. So being able to get food delivered through Prime would help them out a lot.
I can see both sides of the argument.
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Post by Clair on Jun 7, 2017 19:29:55 GMT
I thought that is what I heard this morning. I don't really like it. I work hard for my money, if they want to lower the cost, they should lower it for everyone. Just because I am able to work and make a decent living (we can pay our bills without much left over) I have to pay extra. I'm a little tired of that reasoning. Comments like this are so short sighted and irritating... What about "discounts" you get that others don't - I'm sure your not complaining when your child gets aide or grants for college or that you get to take tax deductions that others don't or that people pay extra taxes on high earnings in some states or that people pay AMT or that people pay more to register their cars because they cost more etc... Its only a $5 a month discount. I think it's a win/win situation. Amazon potentially makes more sales and people may get a small break and access to goods at a reasonable price. I dont begrudge a break break to those who need it most. |
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Post by mom on Jun 7, 2017 19:31:13 GMT
Add on question: Does anyone think people might find the lower Prime price enough of an incentive to try to get gov't assistance when they might not have bothered in the first place?No, I dont think people will try to get government assistance just for prime. BUT I know I will think twice when its time for me to re-up my prime for full price. SaveSave |
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Post by deshacrafts on Jun 7, 2017 19:32:21 GMT
I thought that is what I heard this morning. I don't really like it. I work hard for my money, if they want to lower the cost, they should lower it for everyone. Just because I am able to work and make a decent living (we can pay our bills without much left over) I have to pay extra. I'm a little tired of that reasoning. Comments like this are so short sighted and irritating... What about "discounts" you get that others don't - I'm sure your not complaining when your child gets aide or grants for college or that you get to take tax deductions that others don't or that people pay extra taxes on high earnings in some states or that people pay AMT or that people pay more to register their cars because they cost more etc... Its only a $5 a month discount. I think it's a win/win situation. Amazon potentially makes more sales and people may get a small break and access to goods at a reasonable price. I dont begrudge a break break to those who need it most. Here's the thing, I'm not going to get into a pissing match about this. I think Amazon should lower the price for everyone. My kids didn't qualify for grants or aid because my husband and I didn't have much debt. Please don't get me started on that issue. I am done now and wish I had kept my comments to myself. Thanks. |
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Post by mom on Jun 7, 2017 19:32:34 GMT
I work with a lot of people who are on SSI and SSD. In the area we live in their access to so many things is limited due to poor transportion, in addition to a lack of funds. If this enables them to get some necessities a little more easily or have some added entertainment, I am okay with it, because people really have very little left for extras. But this could also be said for most of America. Not just those on Government Assistance. SaveSave |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2017 19:34:54 GMT
Since we can get this discount, I will be getting it for september october november and december. it will help with christmas shopping and picking up some house hold thing we need. I will not have to try and get to the store. All store are 2 busses to get to . I'm so glad this will be available to you  I find it really disheartening to read some of these comments, it's five quid a month for gods sake. Save |
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but I don't begrudge new mothers or college students discounts. Especially when a senior citizen discount is right around the corner. 
