Jeff Bezos Needs My $2.99???

[JStewart]

I was shocked to see a pop up on Amazon prime that to continue commercial free it was gonna cost me another $2.99/month.

Want to Stream With No Ads? That’ll Cost You

Amazon just rolled out its ad-supported plan, the latest in a string of covert streaming price hikes. The halcyon days of commercial-free content are gone.

www.wired.com

That‘s right folks, Jeff Bezos, the third wealthiest man on the planet with $114 BILLION to his name needs my crummy $2.99.

He certainly doesn’t need it to buy another $500 million Dollar yacht. That’s walking around money for him.

Jeff Bezos' yacht reportedly cost $500 million and is the largest sailing yacht in the world. Here's what we know.

Jeff Bezos' yacht set sail this year. Named Koru and built for $500M, it boasts pools and a sculpture that bears resemblance to fiancee Lauren Sanchez

www.businessinsider.com

Yet he’s still looking for my $2.99

And a space flight with Jeff was shy of 3 million. He’s got that covered easy.

But he still wants my $2.99.

Must be a hard life when 114 BILLION isn’t enough and you got to scrounge another $2.99. Give me a break. (Figure of speech, Mr. Bezos. I know there’s not one coming.)

Rant over. Thank you.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I know... when I saw that... I was like, WHAT? You have got to be kidding me, knowing good and well it was no joke.

So 200 million subscribers to Prime. If only half pay the extra 2.99... that is a whopping 229 million DOLLARS PER MONTH EXTRA that he collects. The rich just keep getting richer.

It's just insane.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Amazon is restricting streaming quality too… if you don’t pay, you lose Atmos and Dolby Vision support. :-/

I don’t like it

Those numbers that you calculated, Sonnie, are staggering!

 

[JStewart]

Amazon is restricting streaming quality too… if you don’t pay, you lose Atmos and Dolby Vision support. :-/

I don’t like it

Without announcing either. Just what I've come to expect from mega corps.

I haven't watched anything on prime since learning of this greedy attempt to exploit customers. I'm likely to cancel the amazon prime subscription altogether. Still thinking it over.

 

[Aburguy]

I know... when I saw that... I was like, WHAT? You have got to be kidding me, knowing good and well it was no joke.

So 200 million subscribers to Prime. If only half pay the extra 2.99... that is a whopping 229 million DOLLARS PER MONTH EXTRA that he collects. The rich just keep getting richer.

It's just insane.

Pay for that Yacht lol.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Amazon is making huge money off advertising and subscription fees…

“During the fourth quarter of 2023, Amazon made $10.4 billion from subscription services alone.” - The Street

And

“Amazon is heavily investing in increasing advertising across its platforms as it made$14.6 billion from advertising during the fourth quarter of 2023, which is a 26% increase from the same time period in 2022 where it made $11.5 billion. So ads across its streaming platform aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, and customers might see even more of them introduced to other Amazon services in the near future.” - The Street

I’d hazard to guess this has more to do with Wall Street and Amazon looking for was to boost projections.

Those numbers are crazy! No wonder they are so willing to trash product. Example: last year I ordered three dehumidifiers. They cost around $200 each. We ended up not needing (or opening them). I started a refund and they told me to just throw them away, paying me the full purchase amount in refund!

So, we have three boxes dehumidifiers sitting in our attic

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Same thing here... several products I ordered they said keep it and perhaps give it to someone in need... or just a plain out, no need to return the item with no further explanation.

I know they have deep pockets and can negotiate discount purchases from manufacturers, but dog-gone I think they actually lose money on some items just to be the lowest price.

 

[Todd Anderson]

They definitely lose money on products... but, when you're pulling in billions via subscriptions and advertising, I guess it doesn't matter

 

[JStewart]

I know they have deep pockets and can negotiate discount purchases from manufacturers, but dog-gone I think they actually lose money on some items just to be the lowest price.

Until brick and mortar is done. Then the prices will go up just like the streaming rates.

 

[Mike Schramm]

God willing, I hope brick and mortar will never be completely done. I appreciate just being able to order something and have it delivered, but it’s nice to 1: check something out before you buy it and 2: have it immediately if you need/want it that quickly.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I feel ya, Mike. Brick and Mortar needs more people like you! I want to support it, but I feel like I'm constantly let down when I need a specialty item... hard to find and if I do find it, pricing is always jacked way up!

Of course, finding things like clothes, in stock in a specific size, is tough (at least in our city).

 

[JStewart]

God willing, I hope brick and mortar will never be completely done. I appreciate just being able to order something and have it delivered, but it’s nice to 1: check something out before you buy it and 2: have it immediately if you need/want it that quickly.

Having owned a brick and mortar for more than a couple of decades, I agree!
The trick is you have to add value because you can’t compete on price. I was lucky to be in a business where that was possible and our trade was able to convince manufacturers it was in their best interest to support our channel. Not everyone has it so good or is willing to do the work it now takes to survive.
Forum member @Robert Zohn of Value Electronics, has cracked the code in an intensely competitive business. If I find myself needing something he sells, he will be my first and last phone call.

 

[Mike Schramm]

I’ve seen @Robert Zohn on Shane Lee’s YouTube channel more than a few times. Value Electronics is based in NY, I believe. He seems like a real good dude. I’ll definitely check them out the next time it’s time to purchase some gear.

 

[Robert Zohn]

@JStewart, and Mike Schramm, thank you for very kind words!

The enjoyment of getting the best possible entertainment experiences from Hollywood movies, documentaries, sports, the PBS channels, and the Network TV content all deserves and is truly so much more enjoyable when watched with the best matching premium Audio and Video equipment/systems and setting everything up to deliver the best possible performance. So it's my passion to share with everyone how to get their best enjoyment from all of the content that comes OTA, cable, and from various streaming services is what drives me to share my information and support.