Amazon is well-known as one of the largest online stores in India. Almost every possible requirement that is crucial to human existence is available on Amazon today. From phones and electronics to groceries and stationery it covers it all. Due to its affordability, accessibility, and ease of use, it continues to gain popularity around the world.
What is Amazon prime membership?
It is a monthly subscription service from Amazon. Prime members get access to unlimited free and fast delivery of items, audio, and video content, gaming facilities, and more interesting deals.
A customer can enjoy the benefits of Amazon Prime membership for free for the first month. After that, a limited number of monthly charges are applicable that need to be paid online.
History of Amazon Prime
It was founded 17 years ago, on February 2, 2005, internationally. It has over 200 million users today. For the first time, it was introduced in the United States, followed by Germany, Japan, the UK, France, etc. As of October 2021, there are prime members in 22 countries in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Prime Day
In 2015, Amazon celebrated its first ‘Prime Day’ on the occasion of the website’s 20th anniversary. A large number of sales and promotions were given to Amazon Prime subscribers on that day. The event was, however, postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Availability of Amazon Prime Membership
Today, it is available in more than 23 countries namely: Singapore, Spain, Turkey, the UK, the US, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Luxembourg, Belgium, China, France, etc.
Benefits of Prime membership
- Free and fast express deliveries-
More than 40 million items are available for free and fast one-day and two-day deliveries. One just needs to be an Amazon Prime member for that.
- Prime Video-
It is a video streaming OTT platform. It has a collection of blockbusters Bollywood and Hollywood movies. Apart from that many interesting web series based on different genres e.g., Sports, politics, etc. also keep releasing. People can watch them daily at the time of their convenience, from the comforts of their homes. Amazon Original series is also accompanied by kids’ shows, thus catering to all age groups. Personal recommendations are also given by prime video.
- Prime music-
One also gets access to Prime Music with an Amazon Prime membership. Over 75 million ad-free songs in more than 20 languages and over 10 million podcasts are accessible. Amazon’s editors curate amazing playlists for different genres and moods.
- Gaming on Prime-
Prime members enjoy access to free gaming content like outfits, themes, recreational, high-IQ games, etc.
- Prime Reading-
Hundreds of free eBooks are available in Indian languages ranging from literature to romance, fiction, non-fiction, etc.
- Exclusive deals-
You can find many deals and offers on Amazon products if you’re a Prime member. You’ll get discounts on placing orders for everyday items of need on Amazon. For example, diapers, clothing, etc.
Amazon Prime Subscription Plans
It is available in monthly, quarterly, and annual formats, with prices as low as 179 Rs, 459 Rs, and 1499 Rs. Some subscription plans include price increases from time to time, though the charges remain minimal.
- Rs 179 Subscription Plan-
It is a monthly plan where users can pay every month. One gets all the benefits of Prime membership under this plan too. The benefits include free one or two-day deliveries, access to Prime videos, prime music, games, exclusive discounts and deals, etc.
- Rs 459 Quarterly Subscription Plan-
This plan is valid for 3 months and costs 459 Rs. Access to all the features and benefits of Amazon Prime Membership is included. Every quarter, a subscriber ends up saving Rs 78 with this plan, as compared to the monthly plan.
- Rs 1,499 Amazon Prime-
This membership plan is valid for the full year. People get all the benefits from it. It becomes very cheap also if one subscribes for the whole year at once. Customers also get various reward points.
Collaboration with Telecom Companies
Major telecom companies like Airtel and Vodafone have collaborated with Amazon Prime on both their prepaid and post-paid plans. Amazon Prime membership is sometimes provided absolutely free in such tariff plans.
Airtel broadband customers on INR 999 or higher plans get 1-year free Amazon Prime subscription.
Airtel Post-paid customers on INR 499 or higher rental plans are entitled to 6 months of Amazon Prime at no extra cost.
Important points to note
- One can sign up for Amazon Prime membership on PrimeVideo.com or its android app.
- One can purchase or recharge the membership using any electronic payment method, like credit card, debit card, net banking etc. EMI facilities are also available. Credit card/ debit card issued outside India cannot be used for this purpose.
- One can go to Manage Prime Membership option to check one’s membership details.
- One month free trial facilities are also provided to amazon prime subscribers.
- In case of failure to sign up, one can revise the payment using other payment methods within 24 hours.
- Prime membership gets activated within 15 minutes of the payment. All benefits can then be accessed easily.
Customer support and grievance mechanism
Name of Grievance Officer: Ms. Vijaya Moorthy
Email (Prime Video): grievanceofficer-primevideo@amazon.com
Email (Prime Video Channels): grievance-primevideochannels@amazon.com
The complaint should include:
- Customer’s name
- Email address on Amazon account
- Name of the movie or TV Series (Season and Episode number)
- Name of prime video channel (if grievance is related to it)
- Country of viewing
- Date of viewing
- Category of grievance (such as ratings, age, access controls etc.)
- Grievance details
The complaint is acknowledged within 24 hours. A reference number is provided for tracking purposes. A valid and appropriate response is sent within 15 days from the date of receipt of a complete complaint.
This grievance redressal mechanism complies with the legal governing laws of India only.
Therefore, Amazon Prime only acts as a service provider and does not own any content, or items, etc., etc. of its own. A seller is basically collaborating with Amazon to reach out to target customers via the online store medium, whether it is with goods, videos, audio, games, etc. It has been leading this upcoming online revolution in India (since 2016) and around the world.
