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, 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)
Cancelled. I couldn’t even get them on the phone. After about a half dozen attempts both calling and on their website, I just gave up, and cancelled.
I called to complain about the absurd lag amazon has exhibited in getting back to pre-COVID delivery times. I asked to speak to s Supervisor immediately, as I hate recounting the story twice. I mentioned that Walmart online delivers to my rural area in two days, and I don’t have to pay $120 a year for the service (I order some staples if I need to get the total to the $35 free delivery threshold.) I did NOT ask for a refund, but the Supervisor, without prompting, refunded $60 to my CC and told me they are working feverishly to fix the issue. We shall see.
I live in Northern New England, I used to get 2-3 day delivery but now my deliveries are taking 5-7 days to arrive. I called and complained and asked for my ENTIRE membership to be refunded (I’m 5 months into my Prime year). I had to talk to a supervisor but it was real easy and quick and I received the $119 refund already. I just placed my first order as a Non-Prime member last Friday (over $25) and it’s supposed to be delivered this Thursday. That’s pretty much what I was getting with Prime.
For many reasons I do not use any of the other Prime Benefits (mostly my internet is too slow), so I’m not missing anything except I have a Prime Credit Card and the 5% back on Amazon purchases was reduced to 3%. I wasn’t aware of this when I canceled. Now I’ve done some calculations and it appears that the 2% I lost on the CC would just cover my Prime Membership cost for the last 12 months (i.e., 2% of my last 12 months purchases at Amazon is about $120).
So I’m not sure what to do right now, I feel like I sent a strong message to Amazon; but at the same time Prime turned out to be a break-even situation for me.
Something to think about.
I just (7 AUG 2021) tried some of the suggestions folks have recommended. Asked to speak to a supervisor immediately; not much haggle to get there. Explained that I hadn’t been receiving 2-Day shipping in awhile and that I used to get most packages in 1 to 2 days. The supervisor explained that folks on the month-to-month subscription are being given a 1-MONTH REFUND, and folks on the annual subscription are receiving a PRO-RATED amount that equates to the rest of their annual cycle until they renew again. I’m on the annual plan and am being refunded the prorated amount. The supervisor didn’t know why packages are slow and didn’t blame or try to blame anyone, just said Amazon is aware and working on it. My plan is about to renew in a little over a month; if they don’t have their act together, I’ll call again and see if I can get the next full year of Prime refunded while they are still being generous.
The least Amazon could do is post accurate delivery windows. Its extremely irritating to order things based on the ‘delivery by’ date only to find out that as soon as the order is placed that date is changed without notice. If the dates were accurate I would know that I should just drive to a store if I need something by a specific date.
Having the same issue, what’s weird is that if I use an address 2 miles from me in the next town, it get’s delivered in 1-2 days. I would switch shipping address while in checkout and my address would take 5 days and then I would try addresses in towns around me within 10 miles and all of them would be delivered in 1 day. I called yesterday and was told they will look at what ‘fulfillment center’ my address was linked to and that is most likely the problem. I don’t believe that is the reason for a second.
Having exact issue for 3 weeks. All prime orders ever amazon basics items say 8 days out. Switch zip to 5 miles away and it says next day. Switch 3000 miles away next day. I spent an hour on the phone escalating and the end result was apologies and nothing we can do. Ive been ordering from walmart. Delivered same day and mext day. Prices cheaper too on same items. Maybe i wont come back to amazon. Maybe time to sell my stock too
the CEO of amazon is now Andy Jassy as of july 2021— he did something internally to the company and now the staff is making a point to him- all shipping is now delayed – I have been waiting 9 days now and just got a message another 2 more days has been delayed to the order – 11 days for a 2 day delivery- I will take stock weather I go thru amazon again- if this is what the staff is trying to send a message to andy for the bottom line . they have succeeded in losing me as a customer – I did not do anything wrong but i am paying for the sins andy has created
I joined Amazon to get my packages in 2 days but most of the time it takes about a week
No, I do not get things in a timely manner now. It takes 4-7 business days to get anything, and that is WITH ONE DAY SHIPPING. The reason IN MY OPINION, is they are FORCING single day delivery. They are GROUPING orders and shipping them all together to save money. I AM BEING PUNISHED FOR ORDERING TOO OFTEN. Think of this as their PRIME DAY delivery option, BUT FORCED ON YOU!
I live about 3 miles from fulfillment center. I’ve tried ordering a variety of things to see if anything would come faster but nothing does. This is even if it says one day. Amazon employees usually deliver my package is not the post office. Not sure how I can get my stuff faster.
Target does really good today shopping but it doesn’t have the item as I’m looking for. Wish I could find their items tomorrow
If Walmart has what I need they are 2 day delivery on most items.
It’s the low rates they are paying for freight. They are consistently paying half or less than half of the current market rates for trucks per mile. They probably can’t get consistent coverage for the loads. Pay the drivers, and they will take your freight.
Amazon Prime is and has always been about shipping, not delivery from the day you order.
It just so happen many orders are sent out the same day and you get your order in two days. But this is not always the case. It is why they show you the delivery date at time of order.
I have understood this the first day I subscribed to Prime.
Amazon will usually refund you if your order does not arrive 3 days of expected delivery. But contact Amazon the next day and they will extend your Prime by a month.
Also as a side note, when Amazon issues a refund and it doesn’t show up on your bank or CC account, your bank can take up to 7 business days to post your credit to your account. Weekends and Holidays do not count towards the business days.
So your bank gets the refund from Amazon on a Thurs. Day 1 is Fri. Sat. and Sundays are not counted and if Mon. is a Holiday, it does not get counted either. Tues. would then be day two and so on. This is YOUR BANK and not Amazon. This also misunderstood by the same people who misunderstand the difference between 2 day shipping once item ships and 2 day delivery from day of order being placed.
Sounds like we have an Amazon spy spreading false info.
Ok Amazon, whatever you say. I’ve ordered my last 2 items from Best Buy because they can deliver next-day for free, and I don’t need to pay for a BS membership.
Regardless of two day from order and or when they ship, the consumer has paid the company a monthly and or yearly subscription to get their products in two days. Symantec aside either you get it in two days or less or you don’t. If you don’t why would anyone keep paying for the service? It would be like going to a store every month and handing the cashier and extra 12.00 for just being a store.
“Amazon Prime is and has always been about shipping, not delivery from the day you order.” Incorrect. I have a lengthy purchase history proving that to be incorrect.
Used to get packages in 2 days, sometimes one. I’m only an hour away from a giant fulfillment center. Now, it takes about 5 days.
Same here! I order around 10-15 items per WEEK and have been for the last 2 years. Not to mention I’ve been a tried and true loyal prime member for over 10 years! Packages are now taking 5,6, and 7 days to arrive! It’s 100% different!
That poster was clearly paid to refute and discredit valid competent customers who’ve become highly disappointed and dissatisfied at the sheer audacity of Amazon higher ups attempting to gaslight consumers that are arguing— for good reason— that this is NOT what we signed up for and NOT what we PAID for. We PAID for the promise of a SERVICE. If you, as a company, can no longer accommodate what we’ve ALREADY paid for and/or deliver (pun intended 😛) on the promise YOU MADE, then you need to:
1.) MAN UP, swallow your pride, and come clean with your people that are depending on you, and
2.) REFUND, REIMBURSE, CREIDIT. Do whatever it takes to earn back the trust of consumers.
Finally, should a similar problem arise in the future, lead with honesty and transparency.
We will respect you so much more for doing so. As a result, probably will spend even more money buying #thingsweneverknewweneeded from AMAZON. 👍🏻
It appears Amazon just lies about the date. For me 1-2 days shows has delivery time but then you immediately start getting updates that shows days beyond. For example just ordered some stuff that was listed as being delivered by Saturday. Within an hour or two I get an update that my package will be delivered by Sunday. Then when it finally “ships”, I get a notification that it will be delivered “Monday”. And all of these updates act as if that was the original delivery date, they don’t send a “sorry we’re having delays … ” kind of email.
Amazon has lowered themselves to gaslighting their customers. I think one thing Amazon has miscalculated is that their shipping is a large part of their value. Stuff can be cheaper on Chewy, Walmart, etc… but I usually will pay few bucks more just to have shipping certainty. Now that they are saving money for themselves by not delivering on that, it’s not clear that I should use them anymore for those kind of things where I might get a slightly better deal elsewhere.
So what is the real benefit of having an Amazon Prime membership nowadays? The reason I originally signed up was for the 2-day shipping. I’m curious as to the delivery process for non-members? If it’s a week or so out (like my membership delivery is now), it wouldn’t make sense to .keep it.
Hi I just did what you advised and negotiated a $20 “ inconvenience credit”
Which is nice but doesn’t really solve the problem in itself, I always got my items in 2 days which is important for my small business but it’s getting harder to rely on it now. I also requested they reduce the yearly prime membership if they can’t hold their end of the bargain, but wasn’t successful.
Overall it’s very annoying and you’re right I’m concerned they will drop 2 day or next day delivery completely!
I’m not sure I can add much to anything said here. I’ve been sick and realized I am almost out of the large bags of cat food. At 5:00 this morning I checked on Amazon only to find out it will take a week to get here. Lately I have been ordering from Walmart and doing a pickup. The whole idea of prime 2 day shipping was to get my items quickly. But since they can’t seem to get my purchases here for a week, I will just order from wal mart. It may be a little inconvenient but at least don’t need to wait a week or longer. There are a lot of issues I have with Amazon devices, and services. I’ve even had them take my payments out up to six times. Luckily I had enough money to cover the 5 extra payments, or would have had a lot of fees. I’m taking a look at cancelling Amazon Prime, and taking all my business elsewhere.
I am also having this problem. For over a year. I just got off the phone with a US representative from Amazon who refused to give me any kind of refund and kept talking in circles with every excuse as to why I’m not getting my packages in two days like I did Pre-Rona. She tried to blame the postal service first. I told her that wasn’t the problem. It was the time Amazon was taking to fulfill the order before it ships. She kept asking me which specific order I was talking about and I told her that didn’t matter because it was EVERY SINGLE ORDER. I sure wish Walmart had everything I was looking for. At least they send out my orders fast. I feel like I’m all of sudden being punished for living in the country. I too live about 1.5 hours from a fulfillment center. At least one perk of being in the country is that I’ll be a little safer if there is a zombie apocalypse. LOL
Just called to try to get that $10 refund, they’ve now decreased it to $5. Not even worth the time it took.