Posted by Lending Club :: January 16, 2009 @ 6:41 am

In total, I placed 11 orders with Amazon.com in time for Christmas this year. One of the reasons why I shopped there so often was that shipping was free. When shipping is free, it really doesn't matter that I ordered so many times. Orders of $25 or more for items sold directly from Amazon (and a few select partners) qualify for free super saver shipping. This shipping method takes longer to process and ship, but since it's free, is a favorite choice of shoppers. Those who want to save money gladly endure the potential for an additional 3 to 5 business days for the item to ship from the fulfillment center and another 5 to 9 business days for the item to arrive.

An alternative way to save on shipping is the method I employed: becoming an Amazon prime member. For an annual membership fee of $79, Amazon Prime members get:

• Free Two-Day Shipping
• Upgrades to Overnight Shipping for $3.99 per item
• Free Standard Shipping for eligible items shipped to P.O. boxes in the continental United States and APO/FPO addresses with U.S. zip codes

No minimum purchase is required and the membership may be shared with up to four family members.

Whether it’s worth $79 for a prime membership depends on how much money it can save you. In addition to the savings in shipping, you also save a lot of time over the other free shipping method and you may be more inclined to purchase from Amazon (and get a better price than from local merchants). My membership more than paid for itself this Christmas and I still have 11 more months to use it.

A combination of a wide selection of products, amazingly low prices, and free shipping options from Amazon.com made my Christmas shopping easy and affordable. I'll enjoy the benefits of my prime membership throughout the year whenever Amazon offers what I'm hoping to purchase.

How much of your shopping did you do online this past holiday season?