4 Surprising Services Amazon Offers — but Will They Save You Money?
Written by
Heather Altamirano
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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It’s pretty well known that Amazon Prime gives members access to exclusive sales, free-two day shipping, movies and music. But the convenience and savings don’t stop there. If you’re a basic Amazon Prime member, a paid subscription that’s $14.99 monthly, or $139 annually, you have access to other services too.
While services can help rake in the savings, others may end up costing you more. Here are four surprising services Amazon offers and whether they’re worth the hype.
Prime Reading
For those who love to read, Amazon has endless options. With a Prime membership, you can access a large selection of e-books, magazines and audiobooks from any device, and you don’t need a Kindle. The perk is called Prime Reading, and it’s free for members, which can mean big savings.
Avid readers have taken to Reddit to lament about expensive e-book costs for their Kindles.
“I think the kindle ebook prices are absolutely ridiculous. At max I don’t think they should exceed $9.99 though on average I prefer not paying more than around $7 for an ebook. I’ve been seeing the range around $11.99 to $14.99. They should not cost almost as much as me buying the physical copy,” one user wrote.
With that in mind, you can save a significant amount, depending on how much you read. But it’s important to note that you don’t own the reading material with Prime Reading, though you have access as often as you’d like.
In addition, Prime comes with First Reads, a service where members can choose from a selection of new books one month before they’re published and download one pick for free.
One Medical
Amazon is getting more involved in the healthcare game and purchased One Medical, a service that provides virtual consultations and more, in 2023, per CNBC.
Prime members can pay $99 a year, or $9 per month, to tap into several services, including virtual and in-person doctor appointments, on-demand care for some common conditions, and prescription refills. In addition to the annual fee, the cost for virtual and in-person visits apply, and some customers aren’t happy with the service.
According to a Reddit thread, many believe the quality of care declined after Amazon acquired the company. “I’ve been using one medical for about a decade and have noticed a sharp decline in its quality since being purchased by Amazon,” one user wrote.
Additionally, PBS reported last year that there were concerns about the safety of patients due to inexperienced call center staff.
There also has been a lot of confusion over pricing and whether insurance is taken, so this service may not always save money.
Free Grubhub+ Perks
Life is busy, and one thing that makes it easier is delivery. No matter what type of food you’re in the mood for, it can be at your doorstep in minutes thanks to services like Grubhub. But it will cost you. Each time you order, there will be a delivery fee, which varies, but when you have Amazon Prime, you have all the perks of Grubhub+.
The service would typically cost $9.99 a month, but it’s free with Prime. It includes a $0 delivery fee, 5% back on pickup orders, exclusive deals and more. If you’re a Prime member and not using this service when you order in, you’re leaving money on the table since it’s included in your membership.
Whole Foods Discounts
Anyone who shops at Whole Foods knows it can be pricey, but as an Amazon Prime member, you can get 10% off sales and special discounts that other shoppers don’t receive. While 10% isn’t much, any savings at Whole Foods is appreciated.
And for loyal Whole Foods fans, Prime members can pay $9.99 a month for unlimited grocery delivery on orders of $35 or more. And let’s be honest, it doesn’t take much to rack up that amount.
Ultimately, services that Amazon offers won’t benefit everyone, and while there are some good deals and savings, not every service is worth your money.
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