I tried Prime Now, Amazon's 2-hour delivery service - and I discovered a glaring flaw
Here's where it all starts: PrimeNow.com. This website is a separate portal from Amazon.com, and it's where all the Prime Now purchasing happens. You could also order items for delivery on the Amazon Prime Now app.
To shop on Prime Now, you have to first select which store you're ordering from. I decided on Amazon, as I thought it would be the most fair test, but I could have also ordered from two different Manhattan grocery stores or a liquor store.
I found some on-sale goodies that looked perfect to test.
I also figured I'd add a phone charger since you can't go wrong with that. So far, we're looking at a pretty good price at $13.57.
Time to check out! After entering in BI's address, it was time to select a delivery window.
It was 11:00, but I couldn't get a delivery window before the 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. time slot. The 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. window was also already booked. None of those were within the two-hour delivery that was promised — at best, it would be three hours. I sighed and picked the next-soonest option.
There was an opportunity to give instructions to the courier for easy drop-off.
Alright, we're ready to rock! I was about to order when I noticed my price total had ballooned to $24.21. With the delivery fee charged because I did not meet the $35 minimum, and the tip, my order nearly doubled. Since I hadn't met the $35 minimum for free delivery, and I needed to add a tip, my order nearly doubled. Clearly Prime Now is not designed for one quick, cheap order.
Ah, right. Tip. That made sense, but I hadn't considered it before. Amazon suggested its own amount to tip, and I saw no reason to change it.
A helpful map appeared to give me an idea of where my order was coming from, in relation to where I was. And now, time to wait.
I got a text message as my delivery window opened.
My courier is really close! I'll get my order soon.
... or not.
Getting closer.
Finally! I received my order almost exactly four hours after I ordered it — and an hour into my delivery window.
I picked it up in the mail room and found my order packed in one of Prime Now's sleek brown paper bags.
I verified the contents — it was all there. The Prime Now delivery took longer and was much more expensive than I expected. I'm not sure under which circumstances I'd order it again. Maybe I'd do it again with a larger order, where the tip wouldn't seem such a large part of the total cost. It is convenient, though, especially if you know you will need something in a certain time frame.
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