Simply Shopping on Amazon.com

Before I get started, I wanted to let you know that I took off the E-mail Subscription Box on my blog page because I tried it with my e-mail address and I didn't get a notification when I posted a couple of days ago.  I think the only way to get a notification of when I update my blog is to become a "Follower" at the bottom of my page.  At least I think that will work!  As tech savvy as I like to think I am, this whole blogging thing is pretty new to me, so bear with me as I learn!


Amazon.com has always been one of my favorite websites.  They have perfected the online shopping experience ... kind of like how I feel about shopping at SuperTarget (my favorite "real" store).  I have found that for books, toys, DVDs, CDs and electronics they usually have the best prices, even without offering cash back on Ebates or using coupon codes.  And of course they offer the free super saver shipping with a $25 purchases.


It took me some time to decide to buy the Prime membership, which is where you pay $79 a year to get free 2-day shipping on any item sold by Amazon, with no minimum purchase.  Amazon Prime  I have a STRONG dislike for paying for shipping, and even though it technically is a bargain for 2-day shipping I never paid for regular shipping on Amazon so I didn't think it was a big deal.  Over Christmas they offered a free 30-day trial for Amazon Prime and I fell in love with it!  I ordered everything I could think of from them.  When it came time to either pay up or cancel, I decided to keep it.  I thought of everything I could buy on Amazon that I normally buy in a store, and knew I would more than make up for the $79 by not paying sales tax at a local store.  (They are still offering the 30-day free trial if you click on the link above.)  Here are some of the items I've bought so far:

• Bulk paper towels and toilet paper.  I always dreaded buying these items at Sam's or Target, because they take up so much room in your cart and then your car.  I bought them on Amazon, and with their Subscribe and Save program you save 15% off their price, plus no tax, plus free 2-day shipping.  With Subscribe and Save, you sign up to have the item delivered at a regular interval, like every month, 3 months or 6 months.  I will admit that without the extra 15% off the prices seemed higher than the store.  Viva Big Roll White Paper Towel, 70-Count Rolls (Pack of 24), Kleenex Cottonelle Double Roll, 308 Sheets, 24 Packs (Pack of 2) [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]
  
• Birthday gifts.  I have been stocking up on great after Christmas deals on toys. Amazon Toy Outlet
• Towels and sheets.  I needed extras for guests over Christmas ... ordered online and here in two days!
  
• Entertainment for the kids.  Books, DVDs, games, CDs, accessories for Wii and DSi ...

And if you are wondering what to do with all those shipping boxes, Pryority Mail at 105th and Memorial in Tulsa will take them.  I'm sure that other shipping stores near you will too.  More about Amazon and some of their other great deals in future posts ...