Amazon’s new incentive pays you to help reduce theft
IN THIS ARTICLE:
LG C2 Series 42-inch Class OLED TV
Apple Watch Series 8
Charmin Ultra Gentle Toilet Paper
According to an article on NewsNation, porch pirates stole about 260 million packages last year in the U.S. To help combat this problem, Amazon has launched a new incentive program. By using Amazon’s pickup option, not only are customers guaranteed to always get what they ordered, but they get paid to do it, too. That’s a win/win.
How does Amazon’s incentive work?
While Amazon hasn’t yet released the details, such as how long the incentive program will last, how frequently you can use it or how customers will be paid — rebate or credit — there are four specifics that we do know. First, the service is only available to Prime members. Second, the order must be over $25. Third, you must pick up your order at a designated Amazon-approved location, such as Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods or Kohl’s. And fourth, you get $10 for doing this.
Amazon’s plan benefits everyone — even Amazon
Amazon isn’t doing this to give away free money to their loyal customer base. It benefits Amazon as well. People are creatures of habit. They are more agreeable to doing what they already do or know how to do. Having customers travel to an Amazon-approved location can help train them to drop off returns to these stores instead of using a third party, such as UPS or FedEx.
Additionally, having you do the driving helps Amazon tighten its belts a little. In case you haven’t noticed, even Amazon is taking a hit because prices are going up everywhere. Not only is the cost of products creeping up, but membership fees for Amazon Prime are climbing as well. Using a streamlined network that keeps third-party shipping costs and local delivery costs in check can help Amazon stay on budget as well.
Products that are too appealing to porch pirates to have delivered
LG C2 Series 42-inch Class OLED TV
LG C2 Series 42-inch Class OLED TV
Expensive items that are easily identifiable, such as a 4K TV, are not safe on your porch. Even from a distance, it is obvious that you have a flat-screen TV leaning against your door. Any high-ticket items, like the LG C2 Series 42-inch Class OLED TV, are best sent to an Amazon pickup location.
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Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Series 8
Another easy target for porch pirates is the small package. It is almost too easy to swing by a house, drop a smartwatch in your pocket and walk away like you did nothing wrong. Tiny, expensive, easy-to-grab electronics, such as smartwatches, are another candidate for pickup.
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Charmin Ultra Gentle Toilet Paper
Charmin Ultra Gentle Toilet Paper
A few years ago, people would have laughed at the notion that the most valuable item in your home was a roll of toilet paper. Essential products that you use every day, and would disrupt your daily life if you did not have them, are key items to have sent to a pickup location.
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Cricut Maker 3
Cricut Maker 3
If you have a business, there are products you need to have to keep that business running. For instance, if you are a crafter who has saved up to get the latest Cricut machine for an upcoming show, you don’t want your means of making an income stolen from your front step. Get that Cricut Maker 3 delivered to a safe pickup location.
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Ring Video Doorbell 3
Ring Video Doorbell 3
How ironic would it be if the security camera you ordered from Amazon was stolen before you could use it? That’s why security devices are another top choice for pickup rather than delivery.
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Allen Foster writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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Expert Shopper › Services
BestReviews’ tips on how to manage and lower your subscription costs each month
by Allen Foster
April 19, 2023
Why it is becoming increasingly important to manage your subscriptions
Not too long ago, if you wanted a computer program, you purchased a physical copy in a brick-and-mortar store and owned that software. Now, you subscribe to have access to that app which isn’t even located on your computer. Subscriptions are common for apps, music, entertainment and even your favorite restaurant might one day require a subscription.
It’s easy to lose track and spend money month after month on a product or service you no longer use. Because of this, it is becoming increasingly important to learn how to manage your subscriptions.
How to keep track of your subscriptions
While it is possible to use a calendar or a spreadsheet to create a monthly schedule of bills, keeping track of so many subscriptions can be time-consuming and confusing. To help you get control of your finances and give you a detailed overview of where your money is going, consider using an app. Rocket Money, Mint, NerdWallet and UnrollMe all have useful features that simplify your life and can help save you money. BestReviews favors Hiatus, a user-friendly app that finds and organizes recurring expenses so you can better manage your subscriptions and save money.
What are the benefits of using a subscription management app?
While subscription management apps are a great watchdog for your budget, each has a slightly different strategy that helps you get the job done. For example, Rocket Money and Mint let you see the subscriptions you are paying for at a glance. If you find one you forgot about or can live without, you can cancel it directly through the app. UnrollMe gathers your notifications so you can identify subscription notices that might not be making it to your inbox. NerdWallet, on the other hand, takes a more comprehensive approach and can help give you the big-picture view of your entire budget.
How can you save money even if you still want to subscribe?
While paying for access to something can be more expensive than owning it outright, shrewd shoppers take advantage of the fact that businesses offer discounts for loyalty. For example, it might seem like a wise choice to pay just $14.99/month for an Amazon Prime subscription, but if you have the finances on hand to pay for an entire year upfront, you save $40. That’s a little over two-and-a-half months for free.
The same goes for many local businesses, like gyms and social clubs. If you know committing to a year (or more) is something you plan on doing anyway, pay upfront and take advantage of the savings. Additionally, some streaming services give you a discount when bundling networks through their company.
Top five subscription managing apps
best Hiatus
Hiatus
Hiatus identifies and organizes your subscriptions so you can see your recurring expenses. It keeps you from forgetting about free trials and flags bills that can be negotiated. The app gives you a real-time picture of your assets and debt to help you track and increase your net worth.
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best Rocket Money
Rocket Money
If you want to focus on incoming and outgoing money, this app provides you with the tools you need to do that. Besides keeping track of subscriptions, with Rocket Money, you can stay on top of when bills are due to avoid late fees and overdrafts. This app also identifies subscriptions you no longer need and can cancel them for you.
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best Mint
Mint
Mint makes managing your money easy. You can view all of your accounts, investments, bills and more at a glance to see your financial situation. Mint provides insights that give you strategies to learn how to save. The app even offers automatic bill negotiation services so users know they are always getting the best rate.
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best NerdWallet
NerdWallet
With NerdWallet, you get a complete overview of all your income, bills and transactions in one place. The app helps you discover ways to streamline and optimize your budget so you learn better spending habits and can take better control of your finances. It even sends you an alert if something happens that changes your credit score.