Amazon.com why

And Amazon Prime, which originally launched in , plays a large role. And it's hugely popular: The platform has an estimated million subscribers, including million in the U. If Amazon's strategies were easy, everyone would be using them — so what's the secret sauce behind Prime's success? Here are the psychological reasons it's hard to resist the platform:. Once you start paying for Amazon Prime, you want to make the most from your subscription — which usually means ordering more than you otherwise would.

Lowitz Company. And that decision to get your money's worth then drives significantly more shopping. If you try to quit Amazon Prime's day free trial, Amazon will sometimes extend your trial for an additional seven days — or sometimes, even 30 more days — to eventually make you a paying subscriber. The extra incentive gives you more time to get hooked, and over time, you might finally give into paying for the service.

For Amazon, giving away an extra month is well worth signing you up for a year. Or, the company hopes, a lifetime. Amazon has long prioritized fast shipping, under the concept that convenience matters just as much as — or more than — price.

The move made same-day shipping the norm for consumers overnight, setting the standard for other retailers to do the same — or lose out on the competition.

But even when other retailers offer same-day shipping, Amazon's experience still incentivizes you to stay. Amazon will verify the package is at the right address and the driver is near the door, then will turn on Amazon Cloud Cam and unlock your door. It works the same as in-home delivery so Amazon will do all the verifying for you. Subscribe to our daily spotlight on the best tech deals on the web -- from phones to gadgets and more. If you're wary of letting a complete stranger into your home , keep in mind that you'll also receive notifications during the entire process.

Note that you can opt to block delivery access to your home -- for example, if you know you'll be home during that time.

For more shopping tips this year, here's how to send your Amazon packages back the fast, easy and free way. Also, read this before you buy a tech gift this holiday season. Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic.

We delete comments that violate our policy , which we encourage you to read. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. CNET editors pick the products and services we write about. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Katie Teague.

Your Amazon Prime benefits make shopping easier. Sign up for Amazon Prime. The company says it aims to make 50 percent of its shipments net-zero carbon by Of course, not everything about Amazon Prime is worth the membership.

But take note: At the end of the trial period, your credit card will be charged the membership fee automatically for the next period unless you cancel in advance. Get discounts, product recommendations, and buying advice from the shopping experts at CR. Sign up for our Shopping newsletter. We respect your privacy. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story.

Pros and Cons of Amazon Prime Before signing up, consider how much you'll take advantage of the services. By Consumer Reports. Updated June 10, Chris Philpot. How Amazon Prime Works. What to Expect for Amazon Prime Day Best Electronics Deals Right Now. More Benefits. When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions.

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