Just ahead of Black Friday, Amazon launched a beta program called “Amazon Haul,” offering even cheaper prices for a platform already known for being one of the lowest-priced retailers. But, there’s a catch: while Amazon Haul products are all $20 or less, delivery could take up to two weeks.
Amazon Haul Is Serving Low Prices but Longer Shipping
Now rolling out in beta, Amazon Haul will present users in the US with a wide selection of products, all priced under $20. The inventory includes “fashion, home, lifestyle, electronics, and other products,” according toAmazon’s news site.
While Amazon Haul will be backed by the same A-to-z guarantee found throughout the rest of the platform, protecting buyers in cases of defective products, there is one key difference with Haul—shipping time. Haul items will be delivered in one to two weeks, regardless of whether you have Amazon Prime or not. That’s a bit different from the platform’s typical one to two days.
Haul is currently only available on mobile devices. To find it, open the Amazon app, or Amazon on your mobile browser, and search “haul.” As always, ensure your app is updated.
If you search “haul” on a desktop, Amazon will show you a QR code and direct you to your mobile device.
Amazon Is Enticing Users With Extra Savings
The prices are already as low as can be, but Amazon revealed a few potential discounts you can take advantage of with Amazon Haul:
Total Order Price
Free Shipping
If your order is under $25, you will have to pay $3.99 for delivery.
The Battle of Super Bargain Marketplaces
Look out Temu: Amazon is coming for the high-volume, low-price market. It will be interesting to see if Amazon Haul ends up facing criticism similar to thecommon user complaints about Temu, which include allegedly poor-quality products, users feeling catfished by items that don’t look like they did in the pictures, and so on. My guess is that Amazon Haul will earn the same reputation, but at those prices, who would be surprised?
The real question is whether this beta program will last on a platform like Amazon, which has completely transformed expectations around shipping. Will consumers be able to wait for two weeks for a chic pair of shades, knowing that they were only $5? Amazon might have dug its own grave with its speedy shipping, effectively annihilating American patience.
