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)
I never get my items in two days any longer but at least I get all of them now, via USPS. Before with their affirmative action idiot Amazon drivers, my packages were constantly delivered to the wrong apartment.
You are likely right about misdeliveries but I’d like to affirm you’re an idiot for the unnecessary comment..
I haven’t received packages in 2 days for months so I took your advice and called this morning. I must have caught someone is a really good mood because they gave me a $50.16 refund.
I was also politely told the 2 day clock starts when the package ships and I need to lower my expectations.
Yes I have been experiencing the same issue. For the past few months my deliveries have been much longer than usual.
I live in a major US city 2 mi from a fulfillment center. I’ve seen delivery windows steadily creeping up but tonight I logged on to order a few items and the soonest I could get anything delivered was 6 days. I thought for sure this was a mistake so I started clicking random items and every single thing was a minimum of 6 days. After 35 minutes of face smashing frustration on a chat with a customer service agent I finally gave up.
I’ve owned stock in Amazon for nearly a decade and every time they release a new service or product I’d buy a little more. Over the years I’ve done very well but I can see this fulfillment issue really hurting the company. It feels like Amazon has forgotten (or doesn’t care) that loyal customers built its business.
I no longer have faith in Amazon or its leadership so I think it’s time to say goodbye. I’ll be selling about 220k worth of Amazon stock in the morning and when I’m ready for more brain damage I’ll get on the phone with an agent to cancel my Prime.
It was good while it lasted
If I cancel Prime I guess I won’t get free shipping any more!
If you order $25 worth, you will get free shipping on most things. I rarely buy less than $25 so this is no problem for me. You can also use your shopping cart as shopping list. Just hold off ordering until you’ve accrued $25 worth of merchandise.
So not only is Prime no longer 2-day shipping.. I, as a Prime member, am now being informed that if I order a single low cost item, it will take a week to arrive unless I combine it with other items. Just… like… someone who *doesn’t* pay for Prime.
This is in addition to the debacle of a few days ago. The Amazon driver decided to leave my package in the middle of my sidewalk in the rain- three steps away from my *covered porch.* And then had zero shame in taking a picture of it.
I called to complain, the Amazon rep said they’d send a new one out asap. Three hours later, I received an email telling me to send back the original one, obtain new packaging (not take it to a UPS store for packaging) and print out a label. (If I don’t have a printer, I was instructed to use a friend or neighbor’s or go to the public library. I’m not kidding. That’s what the email said) The email further went on to say if I didn’t send the original back, I will be charged for it. I called *again* to say wtf? They claimed it was a mistake.
What used to be pristine service is now a total sh*tshow.
I just called today and spoke to an agent. I told her that I am no longer receiving my Prime orders in two days. She offered to refund the remaining portion of my membership. I told her that I wanted a month’s refund instead and keep my membership. She then transferred me to a supervisor who gave me a 30% on my membership. Pays to complain!
I tried calling that 800 number and I think it was Direct TV. How can Amazon get away with charging us for Prime 2 day shipping, yet it takes 5 days to receive the order. Every December I pay for 2 time Prime and am not getting what I paid for. And I don’t believe it has anything to do with the post office or the pandemic. Even if it did, there should be some concessions on Amazon’s part. Maybe we should take legal action?
Using Amazon’s virtual chat, I eventually got a full refund – $122. The first rep wouldn’t even admit that they’d ended 2-day shipping. They were trying to speed up one of my current shipments, trying to appease me, Blamed the pandemic, etc.
When I got transferred to a manager I told them I wanted to end my Prime account & that taking away 2 day shipping was a breech of contract. Believe it or not, they aren’t cancelling my membership, just refunding. Surely they think I’ll forgive them & renew in December. Not gonna happen.
Just about everyone offers free shipping now. I was only a Prime member for the 2 day. Personally I think Amazon has become too big anyway. Sure, they have had great prices for a few years but when they become a monopoly, we will ALL pay more for everything. If they put everyone else out of business, what choice will we have?
What the hell is $10 going to do for me? I WANT 2 DAY SHIPPING BACK! It’s the number one reason why I pay for prime! This is SHIT!
From what I’ve seen on my account, Amazon considers packages delivered once they are in my area..not on my porch. Most of the time that is within a distance of 2 hours or less, but it may take another day or 2 to arrive at my address. I do a lot of Amazon shopping, but in a 6 week period I had a total of 17 mis- handled deliveries. There is explicit directions for where to leave packages, yet they put them everywhere but where they are suppose to be… hiding them in the bushes -including at the base of the mailbox on a busy country highway! No dogs or locked gate, there is even a turn around so they don’t have to back out on the Highway. I have a direct # for logistics and call them sometimes 3/4 times a week. They know who the drivers are, but seem unable to do anything about it.
I want more than $10! We’ve been Prime members for years – a lot of years and I’m tired of slow shipping and, therefore, slow delivery. We never get anything in 2 days anymore. Also, I just love to have something in my cart but when I go to checkout the delivery date changes! Right now I’m trying to buy flea medication for my cats and dog that gets here before 9 days out! A few months back I had ordered an interior door knob and waited and waited. I checked the status and it said it had been returned to Amazon and I’d be issued a refund because the local post office had sent it back as damaged. I was never contacted about the return, a replacement or refund so I had to contact Amazon via chat. The woman there sent a replacement out to me that day but then I got an email stating I had to return the damaged one or I’d be charged for 2 of them! I never got it and the post office had sent it back! Again, back to the chat to get this fixed. Two weeks before that I had to contact them because the local post office never delivered an outdoor thermometer. It stayed at our post office for 7 days! I contacted Amazon and they contacted the post office who said they had never received it – which was a big, fat lie because it mysteriously showed up on our porch at 11:00 am the next day! Between Amazon and our local post office it’s a wonder we get anything we order!
Does anyone have a screen shot, or any sort of “proof” that 2 day delivery didn’t always mean “2 day delivery from the day it ships”? I’ve tried to look up archived versions of the prime benefits section of their website, hoping that I would have evidence that the “from the day it ships” is a recent change, but as far as I can tell, even the archived versions as far back as 2017 mention that 2 day delivery means “2 days from the day it ships.”
Don’t get me wrong, I am super pissed with amazon. I definitely signed up for prime with the understanding that 2 day delivery meant from the time an item was *ordered*, and pre-COVID my packages did arrive within those 2 days! I’d just like to have evidence I can point to supporting this when they say it’s always been this way (not that it’ll make a difference…but it’ll make me feel better!)
In northern New England ( near state hubs for UPS and USPS, FedEx 30min ) the typical 2-3 Prime delivery has now – unfortunately and frustratingly enough – turned into a consistent 5-6 even 7 day delivery.
I try to pick prime every time and have grown dependent on it in years past, for anything in and around the office, house, garden. If AMZ has it, OK that’s convenient, we get it in 2-3 days. Browsing the big box stores websites can be frustrating, lots of stuff by third parties, if in store, you still need to drive, park, find the item, …
But after the past year, where Prime promised 2-3 days (order in x hours for delivery by nn) but them arriving late; it now puts things 5-6-7 days out.
The excuse that ” these items are not in a hub close to you, so it takes longer for the item to get to you ” no longer holds water, in my opinion. Maybe once in a while. Sure. But it is consistently now regardless of what we order.
Prime Subscribe item: April 17 > delivered May 3rd. Fortunately have an extra one on hand.
April 23 order, to be delivered April 30, well today is May 5th, it just flipped to out for delivery. That’s an extra week I could not repair my lawn mower and get started with spring cleanup and planting. Had I known …
New prime order yesterday: 6 days (next Monday)
New prime order today: 6 days (next Tuesday)
Sad and frustrating, especially when you pay into the program and depend on the convenience of AMZ checkout and prime 2 day shipping, to get something done, repaired, supplies to make something, …
I fully agree with you . . . sad that Prime members are getting the boot.
I’m so tired of companies using Covid as an excuse for everything. If Chewy.com (among other companies) can get packages to customers in EXACTLY 2 days, so can Amazon. Give us back 2-day delivery, or I’m done with Prime.
While I respect where you are coming from, some companies have different situations than others where something like a pandemic can make delivery consistency difficult. One company’s situation does not fit all others as we like to think. So, I disagree that the pandemic is just an excuse, it sounds to me like Amazon is having some difficulty keeping up, especially since the order volumes went up around the time of the stimulus checks. I know that from personal experience with Amazon, I live in Chicago, I was getting packages in 2 days just fine, except when they would ship through USPS, then it would come late or sometimes UPS would late. But when they shipped through their own service, it showed up less than 24 hours in most cases. However, I have heard of deliveries slowing down in other places.
So, Amazon will need to do something about the pandemic’s impact on their business to try to make up for the delivery promise they made, but by no means does this prove that the pandemic didn’t hit the company’s shipping department. Of course it hurt them to an extent, especially if they are trying to roll out their own delivery logistics, and a pandemic hits them unexpectedly, this can hurt their delivery times. I recognise that customers will need to be more patient while the company learns from the situation as the rest of us do. As to whether they should give up the 2 day delivery, I would say, yes, until they build a strong enough delivery service to handle the volume and make sure to prepare in case of the next pandemic.
Same day and Two-Day delivery was just a small part of Amazon’s dark business plan to destroy the competition and get people used to the convenience of online shopping with them. Then, Amazon will do what cable TVs did to all of us years ago saying, forget air TV, just pay for cable TV no commercials and watch your favorite shows “commercial free”. Look at cable TVs nowadays, they slowly introduced commercials so we can get use to it.
Smile today while you can, because Besos long term dark plan will make us cry later once they destroy the competition. None of the US leaders or congress are doing anything to prevent the huge monopoly growing under their noses, and we pay these politicians to rub shoulders with large corporations like Amazon to suck our bloods.
We are feeding the beast that will rule over us, watch and see it!
I personally do not support a lot of the conspiracy theorist notions about corporations. While corporations do have negative aspects, as do other money making elements, people tend to focus so much on the negatives that they largely ignore the many positives to be grateful for. So, you may criticise people for not wallowing in the negatives of Amazon, or criticise politicians, although it is not true that they aren’t challenging Amazon in ways. However, what needs to be called in question is the overblown fear mongering regarding corporations and technology overall (this is another topic onto itself), that paints them as horrible beasts, when for the most part they provide great benefit to the economy and they benefit people from varying socio-economic backgrounds.
I’d rather hold them accountable where it is necessary but support them having a rightful place in the market. I don’t support their squeezing out competition so much, but I do support them being competitive and thereby challenging smaller businesses enough to push them to to learn how to keep up and fight back hard as well. I think this has benefit as well. Other than that, corporations aren’t generally evil nor are they devils. They are equally valuable to an economy as are small businesses and will need to be regulated, as a number of politicians are pushing to do these days. As to the fear of monopolies, I’m not totally against them but do recognise that if we are going to allow them we need strong policies to govern them, due to the flaws that do come with them.
Keep your head buried in the sand.
We had been a yearly member for a few years; once they got rid of Amazon Prime Pantry we decided to let our membership (recently) expire ~ which they warned and hounded us on until that final day. Walmart regular mail ordering (Not Walmart+) has dependable pricing (pickles don’t go from $3 to $28 Ever, let alone in one day). They will probably drop 2 Day Delivery shortly as well but until then . . .
Looking to get a 30 Day Amazon Trial today, I notice No Mention of “2 Day”in the selling points Nor do I recall seeing it offered when ordering recently So, something is Brewing!
As someone stated, BezosMart will now send a return label for the tiniest item they send or becomes damaged en route.
We’re quite stocked up, satiated at the moment so any orders we may need are just combined to make the $25+ Amazon minimum free ship but already miss their 2 Day promiss.
Yeah, I canceled prime. It’s just not worth the premium anymore.
They just gave me a $60 refund. My membership date is coming up soon.
I also live in northern New England. Prime products take a week or longer to be delivered for the past 15 months. We have been Prime members for 11 years. and were accustomed to consistent two day deliveries.
We now receive faster shipping and better pricing from Walmart and its listed vendors without paying for a membership!
After another 7 day delivery prediction for a Prime item I called Amazon to complain. Kept it civil but was persistent.
The Amazon representative consulted a manager and returned to offer a full credit for our last year’s membership ($119 plus tax). He also lodged a customer complaint about the routinely slow delivery for Prime labeled products to Prime members.
This made me feel much better. Not sure why I lucked out, but it appears Amazon realizes customer satisfaction has dropped and they are willing to work harder to keep members. Hold them accountable.