Amazon No Longer Offers 2-Day Prime Shipping (Here’s What To Do About It)
Have you noticed that Amazon doesn’t deliver on their 2-day Prime Shipping anymore? It’s actually not even close for my address and I’ve had to return stuff to Amazon as I don’t need it by the time the package shows up. Anything that I want to buy today (a Monday) won’t be delivered until Sunday at the earliest. I tested this on a bunch of different shopping categories and made sure it was all products sold and shipped directly by Amazon, and none could be delivered before Sunday, 6 days from NOW. But alas, not all hope is lost, here’s what you should do to hold Amazon’s feet to the fire. It’ll only take a few minutes and put an extra $10 or $20 in your pocket.
Call Them Up and Ask For a 1-Month Refund
When I have a problem with Amazon I usually start a live chat session as it’s easier to say exactly what I want to say.
BUT…for the first time ever, I recommend actually calling them at 1-(888) 280-4331 and say, “Why don’t I get 2-day Prime shipping anymore?”
I tried doing this via Live Chat and it just went in circles due to what I’m guessing was a language barrier.
At this point, give them your zip code and ask them to run it through their system to find out for sure whether your address qualifies for 2-day shipping.
Most addresses do indeed qualify for 2-day Prime shipping.
See Also: 5 Reasons Why Amazon Prime Is a Terrible Buy
If your address does qualify, then you probably already know the EXACT reason why you’re not getting your packages within 2 days.
It’s because Amazon can’t hold up their end of the bargain and they should pay for it.
This is when you politely ask for a 1-month refund on your Prime membership (approximately $10) because Amazon can’t hold up their end of the bargain.
I did this recently via a phone call to their customer service department and it took me all of about 5 minutes to score the $10 refund.
There was ZERO hesitation from the rep I talked with and I think they are trained to hand out this refund for those who politely ask for it.
Note: My family orders from Amazon at least 1-2 times per week and I’m not sure if that played a role in getting the 1-month refund, but in either case, it’s definitely worth a shot.
PRO TIP: AIM HIGH & ASK FOR EVEN MORE
From the comments section, several Amazon Prime members were actually given a $20 “inconvenience credit”.
Since we we know that a $20 credit is on the table, you might as well ask for it. You stand a decent chance of them giving it to you, and if they don’t just try again later with a different CSR.
Hold Amazon’s Feet to the Fire
I realize Amazon’s been hit by unprecedented demand in recent months, but let’s not forget they are one of the richest companies in the world.
Now that the economy and stores have opened back up in most of the country, the demand for online shopping has been greatly reduced.
Yet Amazon still can’t figure it out and solve their order backlog issues.
Originally, Amazon wanted to blame it on the pandemic and now they claim it’s 2-days from when the order leaves the warehouse giving them the green light to blame delivery services and bad weather.
I’d have no problem buying that argument back in 2021…BUT NOT NOW.
It’s my opinion that Amazon was losing money on the 2-day shipping guarantee and is using the current situation as a handy way to get rid of the fast shipping guarantee altogether.
PRO TIP: TIME TO LOOK AT OTHER OPTIONS
Fortunately Amazon is the not the only company offering free shipping with guaranteed 2-day delivery.
Notably, take a close look at a Walmart+ membership. For $98 a year (30-day free trial), you get free shipping with no minimum and most items are either next day delivery or 2-day. You also get free delivery from your local Walmart with a $35 minimum along with 10¢ cents/gallon savings at gas stations including Exxon and Mobil.
And it’s no surprise that the prices at Walmart are typically better than Amazon.
Sidenote: My wife is a Kindergarten teacher and she came home the other day telling me that many of her colleagues have stitched from Prime to Walmart+ and they couldn’t be happier. Very anecdotal I realize, but I think the momentum is building.
See Also: Not Getting Amazon Delivery on Sunday? Here’s Why
I’d be SHOCKED if 2-Day Prime shipping ever came back at this point.
So the bottom line is get your $10 refund NOW before they aren’t so generous.
The customer service rep also told me that MANY people are calling to cancel Prime, she said she had already cancelled over 50 memberships in the past couple days.
Here’s what a chat rep told me when I asked him if Prime members were complaining about the issue:
PRO TIP: TRY AN AMAZON BUSINESS ACCOUNT
Thanks to reader Joseph, who commented recently letting us know that his Amazon Business account has been delivering in 2-days since last September. The interesting part is that his “regular Prime account” is stuck at 4-7 days for delivery.
Since an Amazon business account is FREE to join, and also gives you quantity discounts, setting up an account could be worth a shot. Also, in case you were wondering, he said his business is not COVID related in the slightest.
Prime 2-Day Shipping Has Turned Into 5-Day Delivery
The reason that 2-day Prime shipping has turned into 5, 6, or even 7-day shipping has nothing to do with UPS or the USPS.
It falls 100% on Amazon as they now say that the “2-day shipping guarantee” is from when they actually process your order and get it in the mail.
So if it takes them a couple days to box it up and ship it out, then you’ll get it delivered to your home in about 5 days on average.
See Also: Amazon Package Arriving Late? Here’s How to Score a Refund
If you’re like me, the main reason you joined Prime and paid $139/year was for the 2-day shipping, so this is KIND OF A BIG DEAL.
Ask the Reader: Are you a Prime member? If so, when was the last time Amazon delivered something to you in 2 days?
By Kyle James
I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)
Just called them regarding two orders. They did refund one months subscription and also gave me a $25 dollar credit. I was told the delay was due to hurricane Ida and they will get back to how it was shortly. I’ll believe it when I see it.
Lol, I was offered $5 Amazon credit 😂. I told them I was over Amazon Prime, there is no value to it any longer.
As someone who directly deals with shipping for Amazon, I can say this is 100% due to the incompetence of their logistics teams and their constant need to try and fix things that aren’t broken. They also tend to attract employees that nobody else will hire, often promoting those same bad employees to more important positions that they perform even worse at. I’ve seen this at multiple sort centers and warehouses now and am convinced it’s most likely a nationwide thing. They also contract out for ALL shipping, even the guys in uniforms aren’t Amazon employees, and offer very poor compensation. Which is probably why they constantly have driver shortages.
Yes I am and I haven’t received my packages I. Two days even though the last thing I ordered said two days and it took a week and also they aren’t supposed to charge you until it ships and they took the money and sent the package out 3 days later I’m thinking about getting rid of my prime as wel
Just called – they basically said the policy is 2 days from the date the time ships, and there are no guarantees as to when that is. Offered me nothing with respect to refund. I ordered an item 4 days ago and it’s showing to deliver 2 days from now. I could order the same item TODAY, and it’s showing delivery 2 days from now.
Basically, a prime membership is looking less and less worth the cost….:/
Make the switch to Walmart.com They’ll get most things to you in 2-3 days at no charge and seem to offer nearly as many items as Amazon.
I ordered several items (we order FREQUENTLY) on 9/6. Most have expected delivery 9/15 or later. I just tried to order supplements recommended to me and they would not arrive until 9/20, after I leave. We do have a business account but that also has 9/20 as earliest possible delivery. Really disgusted with this switch with what they have promised as part of Prime membership. Bad form, Amazon, bad form. One item says “arriving wednesday”-today is friday so I assumed NEXT wednesday. Checking tracking, it isn’t even up to ‘order shipped’. All things needed before I leave town on 9/19 do not appear to be arriving before that.
We also have a Business account for a nonprofit I am treasurer for. The delivery dates are no different there, even after signing up for Business Prime. Have not compared costs of items yet
If you shop on Amazon a lot, then the Price is justified just by the free shipping. I remember when almost everything on Amazon had a $3.99 shipping fee. These days, I make up for the prime fee in one month.
Amazon employees have been suffering for years. I bet this is mostly about cutting them some slack and letting them take an extra piss in their shift. I think that 5-7 day shipping is still really good, especially if it’s free.
It is worth the wait for something I want
Walmart is the way to go. Walmart has actual stores that stock a lot of the items we buy on a repeat basis, such as pet food and items we consume in the day-to-day running of our households. Frequently you can get the items you order from Walmart on the same day as ordered, as well as curbside pick-up. And no special account or fee required.
Kyle thank you for your detailed write up about Amazon and their inability to get orders processed timely. I followed your advice, called the number you suggested and after going round and round for about 30 mins was able to get a supervisor on the line who was very honest. He said this is an issue in many areas, almost seemed like he wanted to say everywhere but he stopped short of that, he offered a full refund of my membership for 1 year. I was absolutely ready to drop them (and I know they don’t care about my 1 little membership fee) but really didn’t want to because as you said the free shipping it’s self is worth it for items you don’t immediately need and can wait 5-7 days to get. I really appreciate the Amazon supervisors honesty and willingness to refund a full year and I want to thank you Kyle for the suggestion.
Same thing just happened with me. Ordered several prime items in August and they all came with one or two days. Noticed today – 13th September – that every “prime” item has a delivery date of the 17th. Every single one. As per other people I called and got the canned excuses that (a) nothing has changed Prime has always been two days from when it ships not when its ordered or (b) it’s not in your nearest fulfillment center. Spoke to a supervisor and got the same canned responses. When I asked what was available for a delivery date of 15th September they could not answer me.
You’re lucky. Everything I want to order today (Sept 13) has a delivery date of Sept 21! 8 days!
I appreciate your suggestions but I do not want $10, I want my Prime shipping, that is what I am paying for and the only reason I have Prime. Everything is now a week. I suppose I will just have to remove my credit card info from my account so they cannot automatically renew my account. There are other good online options, and there is also local shopping. Amazon needs to wake up! The two day shipping is what made the company!
If you go to your settings in your account, you can set your renewal as automatic or notify you I have set mine now since I will not be renewing mine unless they change back to the two-day shipping and get rid of the useless other perks.
Well said. I hope that Amazon listens before they let the golden goose die of neglect.
I called to cancel my Prime because of shipping time issue. CSR told me that unused portion of Prime fee could not be refunded. I asked to speak to a supervisor stressing that at time of last renewal, I was able to receive orders in 2 days, now taking 7 days. CSR came back on line and I was able to get refund for unused portion of Prime fee.
Unfortunately, it’s very likely that the overwhelming majority of people are going to continue to renew — as this has been going on for more than a year, and Amazon hasn’t done a thing about it.
And what’s so telling, is that they’ll offer next EARLY MORNING delivery for some products, but if you don’t want it delivered between 4AM-7AM (which is ridiculous), then when you get to the checkout — the only option is 4-5 days later.
So how is it it’s either available the next morning — or — not until 4-5 days later? Any excuses stink to high heaven.
I’d love to provide a large plethora of screenshots to you. I just spent 46 minutes chatting with three different geniuses. None of which helped me at all. I remember about ten years ago Amazons CS was flawless. Good times…
I’ve been a prime member for well over a decade but getting rid of it when it runs out unless they go back to the two-day shipping. The rest of the perks are useless to me.
I’ve noticed the last few days shipping times starting to speed up. This suggests they had issues with having enough personnel to handle things that are finally beginning to be ressurrected and besides an increased demand for products on Amazon, also dealing with the aftereffects of a devastating heat wave that hit Amazon’s main headquarters in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest in general in late June and early July. During that heat wave, temperatures that normally have highs in the upper 70s shot up to as high as 120 degrees in some areas, many of which don’t have sufficient air conditioning to handle ANY heat waves because many such rarely need AC at all. That I believe forced many Amazon distrubution centers that did not have air conditioning to close for extended periods, creating the backlogs that they seem to FINALLY be getting out from under.
I have literally gotten several orders a day about 5 times a week for the last month. It has not gotten better for me. I do get some things that are within the 2 day timeframe, but most are about 5-7 days now. I could see if it wasn’t prime eligible items, but all are prime eligible. For instance I placed an order last night, and 4 out of 5 items are being delivered on Monday (a whole 7 days later). So I would say your prime experience has gotten better, but there’s many of us that is has gotten worse.
Me too in just about the same time frame. Another thing that is oddly getting worse is the Amazon search. It has always sometimes returned listings for similar products but NOT what you searched for (and I assume that Amazon gets extra $$$ for that service to its sellers), which is a disgusting DISSERVICE to us little folk who actually buy the stuff we want when we finally find it in all the spam fluff. Logic would say that Amazon and its supposedly so great AI programs could find just the products that actually match what I search for.
Here is a crazy part of amazon. I have been a prime member since 2006. I live in the metro Atlanta area. Never had an issue with 2 or even 1 day shipping until Covid. Now i have family in Oregon and Texas. Their shipping has been back to normal for a long time. They get most of their stuff in 1 day. I’m just so frustrated. It takes at least 4 days for me to get my items!
Yeah, if you are in an area near a warehouse you get free one day, but they dumped the great two-day for the rest of us. It really stinks. I use to shop on Amazon A LOT, but I am now looking to other places with (very often) better prices and faster shipping.
Or it’s just they have had lack of personnel. Plus, a lot of this to me has been a ripple effect dating back to a MASSIVE heat wave that hit the northwest at the end of June-beginning of July that had for a couple of weeks temeratures well above 110 degrees in areas that rarely get above 80, forcing in many cases the closures of Amazon distribution centers in the northwest that were not air conditioned because it was rarely needed, in some cases for SEVERAL WEEKS. That to me led to the issues.
A warehouse just opened in my city and it’s STILL taking a week to deliver anything.
I’m in dallas Texas and up until March I got a lot of 1 or 2 days max shipping. It seemed to have started to get better, but that has not been the issue the last couple of weeks. I literally order off Amazon almost daily. Yesterday I placed an order for 5 prime eligible items. 4 out of 5 will be delivered next Monday. A whole 7 days after I ordered. It’s ridiculous.
I don’t think it has anything to do with possessing, being behind, covid, or not able to keep up. In my eyes. All of my shipping has gone to 5 to 7 day estimated time, there is no attempt at 2 day. Yet… my last 5 or 6 orders all shipped the day prior its arrival date and had to be shipped one day. Thst, has got to cost astronomy overnight. They are trying to stack orders, this way, if I order 3 more times before duringthat 4 or 5 day hold on shipping. This way they can shove all 4 orders over the week in one box. Thus, saving them money.. I also have prime more for shipping, costs, and time. But… ebay has been faster with no waiting to ship. I like the fact in ordering from a single store, or person on ebay, not a 60000sqft warehouse. For me, I get better answers to my questions, more care, and faster shipping at EBAY. I do use Amazon prime for movies and shows, but I may give Hulu or Netflix a try again in its place. Has amazon forgotten about Ebay and think target and Walmart arnt in competition? Eveb target and Walmart ship faster, with drip up options for immediate pick up,, with the same return policy as amazon. Benzo accomplished his goal of space, if you consider his rocket plane actually in space.. I don’t think shipping and Amazon is his concern anymore. Its getting more money to try and actually make it to space next time. Maybe without a red warning lights, faa investigations, and the need to sue NASA for picking SpaceX over him. Wow… writing this makes me realize how much I’d rather not support amazon anymore.
Get Paramount+, especially if you’re the nostalgic 90s-early 2000s tv type. We also have the Disney/Hulu combo (same price as Netflix now), and HBO max free with an ATT mobile plan. All way better than Netflix.
WOW! I placed an Amazon Prime order on Wednesday, 9/15. The item was clearly shown as Prime. The item shipped on Friday, 9/17. I was boiling about the “2 day Prime delivery” because it showed a scheduled delivery of Tuesday. The item was not urgent but it still irritated me that I wasn’t getting the promised 2 day delivery. So I Googled Amazon Prime delivery delays and found this article.
I figured it was a waste of time but I called Amazon anyhow. I was respectful but pointedly asked why I wasn’t getting Prime 2 day delivery. I was told it could be any number of reasons including weather. I responded that there were no weather issues between Arizona, where it was coming from, and Pensacola, where it was shipping to. The Amazon rep said she would credit my account for the $12 cost of the product. Cool. I held. She came back and told me she was crediting back ONE YEAR OF PRIME MEMBERSHIP, $120.09.
Here is the e-mail text:
I’ve requested a refund of $120.09 for the inconvenience for late deliveries to your credit card . This is for the refund of your Prime subscription for 1 year.
You’ll see the refund on your Master Card statement in the next 3-5 business days.
I hope this will help.
We’d appreciate your feedback. Please use the buttons below to vote about your experience today.
Best regards,
Glad I read this blog post and called.
If the blogger wants more info, hmu.
WOW, YES. After reading your comment, I went to the online chat and complained about renewing my membership in February and haven’t had a single order arrive in the two days promised by my prime membership. At first, he said he’d reimburse me the $24.35 for my last order. I continued on about how much I had ordered over the past months and nothing has arrived in the two days and most of them show they are not even processed for 2 days and then it takes a week before delivery. He apologized and said that he would see to it that my prime membership will be looked into and the 2 day delivery would be fixed. I told him how frustrated I was and told him not to take it personally, but I felt that Amazon was taking advantage of me by taking my money and not giving me what I was paying for. He then asked me to hold on a minute. When he came back he told me he would reimburse me $100 and would make sure I was getting my 2-day shipping on prime items in the future. He said the credit to my credit card should show up in 3-5 days (great, it should show up before my next billing date). Now, to see if all this happens. I thought I’d share with you and thank you for the information and hope others might take advantage of getting what they have paid for! BTW, I used the chat since I know how difficult it is to talk to someone who has trouble understanding your language and you have trouble understanding their mangled English. On the chat it went very well and we both were well understood. Goodluck. Amazon makes Billions from us, let’s make sure they are giving us what we paid for!
They aren’t even processing your order for two days or more. I loved getting my Monday order by Wednesday, my Thursday maybe didn’t make it until Monday, but I was okay with that. Now I place my order and it is two or three days before I get a notice that my order was shipped and, even at that, it takes near or a week before delivery. I was hoping the two-day would come back and kept my Prime membership but will not renew when it expires after the first of the year. I only had the membership for that perk. I don’t use any of the (useless to me) perks. I usually order well above the $35 for free shipping, and when I might need to pay shipping a few times a year, it still won’t equal what I pay for membership. It will take just as long then as it does now. I use to love Amazon but I’m finding this to be a problem, along with the great prices they use to offer, now I belong to a couple of shoppers groups online that direct me to better deals, and often, faster delivery!
THE WHOLE REASON I AM A PAID PRIME MEMBER IS BECAUSE OF THE 2 DAY SHIPPING THEY ALWAYS HAVE HAD.
I am like other Amazon prime membership members, I am disgusted with the 2 day delivery service being discontinued because I feel it’s a benefit to AMAZON almost delivering to some customers 1 day a week. I have been a member for years and has always had good 2 day delivery service ( with the exception of during 2020 pandemic) until recent orders 2021. The problem I have with the whole thing is that I order stuff weekly and recently my items I order just sit there “unprocessed and unshipped for days generally 5 days” before it is finally shipped 1 or 2 days before it’s promised delivery date.
Why is this that orders sits for almost a week in-lingo as if those orders are important to customers.
If Amazon doesn’t go back to 2 day shipping I will not be renewing my membership. I can order items from other online places free without a membership and still get my items sometimes sooner than Amazon Prime in 2 to 3 days.
So two things I think will help prompt Amazon to reestablish 2 day prime shipping.
1. Prime Members Cancel or don’t renew your membership.
2. Reduce or stop ordering from Amazon all together.
Look for other on stores or places to order your items from that you can get your items delivered in 2 or 3 days free shipping.
Signed my current items ordered from 4 days ago are still just sitting there unprocessed and unshipped!!
Walmart offers 2 day shipping
Amazon needs to step it back up. I’ve been looking elsewhere since I can get it in time.
2 day shipping. Once it finally ships. I have a 1 week delivery for every item ive seen on Amazon. Walmart plus is 6 days even though everything says 2 day shipping. Careful of the gimmicky advertising.
I’m simply not ordering anything that shows long shipping times.I see way to many products now, especially electronics that are 4-5 days delivery time. But are in stock and shipped by Amazon. So, I’m going to give it a little longer but right now I’m not renewing prime after having it forever. It’s useless with that long of delivery time for me. They are going backwards fast. Of course they don’t know I’m not ordering those products but that is their problem.
Just before Covid they were pressing next day, now they have dropped it and that is bad. Maybe its the new CEO but I don’t care what it is. Fast shipping made Amazon and can break Amazon. I buy more than a little bit and pay for their music. Prime video is extremely weak and can get music anywhere. The only hold they have it fast shipping. They need a large number to drop Prime to wake them the heck up.
I pay for Amazon Prime shipping and most times it does not deliver when promised. If you can’t meet your own deadlines then don’t make them. Sometimes I even order stuff in stock and it never does ship. I finally end up canceling and ordering elsewhere. Says it’s in stock so why doesn’t it ship?? Who knows? The pandemic has proven Amazon cannot deliver on its promises. Not only that Amazon’s own delivery trucks seem to deliver bad service too. My daughter who lives in a major city constantly has her packages delivered to wrong addresses. Service has really been bad and I think Amazon just ignores all of this.
Same issue and I just canceled my membership…seems to be a test to some people as I know some that still get the benefit, also the website still lists it (copied here), so it is false advertising. Also I had a friend try to ship the same items to me I requested that were estimated to arrive 5 days later and they were to arrive next day. So this is a test of some sort.
I was able to get a credit for the remaining months of my membership, but the explanation was weak, and there was a lot of back and forth. As a member for MANY years, I know what is marked as PRIME shouldn’t take 5 days. I strongly suggest you call or chat with them and do not accept the standard lines they are prepped to say to people. Also complained to the Better Business Bureau