Amazon introduces same-day shipping in Baltimore, other cities
Amazon yesterday announced that it will offer same-day delivery on thousands of products bought off its juggernaut of a website. The Seattle-based company is rolling out the same-day service just in time for the holidays in seven cities: Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Las Vegas and Seattle. More cities to come include Chicago, Indianapolis and Phoenix.
The charge? $5.99 per item, but only if you're an Amazon Prime member. The rates are more than double if you're not. Some catches: In Baltimore, you have to order by 10:30 a.m. for you to get your purchase the same day. Similar cut-off times apply in other cities. And same day delivery isn't offered on the weekends.
For you procrastinating Christmas-time shoppers, the service will help you put off shopping till the very last minute: Amazon will offer same-day delivery on Christmas Eve.
Being able to offer same-day delivery on online purchases is somewhat of a Holy Grail for e-commerce companies who can better satisfy the instant-gratification itch of their customers. We'll see how well it pans out for Amazon. I'm sure if it works well, they'll expand it to even more cities.
Comments
If they ever drop that $5.99 charge, I'm doomed.
Posted by: Jim Doran | October 16, 2009 8:58 AM
I like having this as an option but suspect that the items you will be able to get the same day will be limited.
Generally I find next day fast enough for nearly all my needs.
Posted by: Paul | October 16, 2009 9:16 AM
When Netflix offers this, it'll be awesome. I can dream.
Posted by: Tyler | October 16, 2009 10:12 AM
Combine that with one-click shopping and I may as well declare bankruptcy now.
Posted by: m.m. mcdermott | November 1, 2009 12:36 PM