So during the past few days while I was browsing Amazon.com, I noticed a new logo of a cute bag on many of the item pages I was viewing:
At first I didn’t pay much attention to it as I was just browsing and not really shopping.
However today as I saw the logo a few more times, I decided to take a look at what it really was: What Is AmazonTote?. Apparently it’s sort of an expansion of their AmazonFresh program, but with no minimum purchase required for free shipping. It’s only available at certain zip codes, just like their AmazonFresh program, and they make 1 delivery per week (on the same day of the week), so you can keep adding items into your “tote” and if it’s added before the deadline, it’ll be delivered on your specified date.
Most items I’ve looked at so far seemed eligible for AmazonTote, though I’ve only been looking at books, video games, board games, and blu-rays. But according to their FAQ, items under 50lbs which are in stock and sold directly via Amazon are usually eligible.
1 delivery per week would most likely beat the delivery times I get from Free Super Saver Shipping.
Returning items is even simpler (though I don’t recall the last time I actually returned anything to Amazon). All you have to do is just put the item(s) back in the tote bag and they’ll come pick it up.
You can read up more about the program here: AmazonTote FAQs.
My guess is that AmazonTote is really AmazonFresh v2.0. They already have the AmazonFresh delivery service. If they can make more deliveries to the same area per trip, it’ll lower the shipping cost per order. The zip codes they’re starting with are most likely areas where there’s already a ton of customers using AmazonFresh and that’s why they can offer free shipping for their AmazonTote service. As AmazonFresh becomes more popular in the other areas, I believe you’ll see AmazonTote pop up in more areas.
Another strategy would be if there’s a high enough demand for AmazonTote in a particular area, that’ll allow them to also bring AmazonFresh to that area.
Currently, AmazonTote is available for the following ZIP codes: 98004, 98005, 98006, 98007, 98008, 98033, 98039, 98040, 98052, 98102, 98103, 98105, 98107, 98109, 98112, 98115, 98117, 98119, 98125, 98133, 98199.
If you would like AmazonTote offered in your neighborhood, please contact us.