Community Chat

[millieshops]

@icezeus   When the list of choices came up, I hesitated for a few seconds as I was deciding -  only then did my salesman mention I could split the donation.  I don't believe anything on the screen that would have made that apparent.  

[Rockycoast]

I too received the email.  All I can say is Thank You Amazon.  Giving away millions of dollars to customers' charities of choice for a decade is a generous and great thing to do. ( Mine was our local Historical Society ). Especially when you did not have to do it in the first place. 

  I will continue to shop at Amazon. Great Variety, Prices, fast shipping and awesome Customer Service.  

[stevieb]

I just went to check out my Prime benefits and determined that beginning next month, I will go month to month for a few months to net whatever shipping benefits still exist while I order those things I still want to order from Amazon. After that, I plan to cancel and while I'll probably still rely on Amazon for some things, I'll be more cognizant of options. If, over time, I decide to re-up then I will, not being one to cut off my nose to spite my face, but at this point, I really don't see any significant benefits to continuing this pricey membership. Moreover, as with their chosen charities, I took the time to read those categories of customers who qualify for Prime at half price and yes, it's more of the same. Sorry Amazon, as with your chosen charities, the beneficiaries of your benevolence might well be worthy, but so are others. If, as a customer of this supposedly 'customer-centric' entity, I no longer have a voice about where a small portion of my payments go (and how you get your tax breaks), and am certainly not one of your chosen, then it really is time for me to rethink our business relationship, especially given many of the very things that led me to be a good Amazon customer in the first place appear increasingly to be falling by the wayside. 

[RollTide2008]

As an accountant, I can appreciate the cost to administer this program was probably exhorbitant.  My chosen organization was the booster organization for my son's sport team.  To be honest, what we made from it was not a lot.  I imagine Amazon was processing and reconciling donations and issuing very small payments to many organziations.  All that costs money.

On the other hand, I also volunteer at my community's food bank and resource pantry and see first hand the contributions Amazon makes in terms of donations and volunteer hours from their team.

[stevieb]

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@RollTide2008 wrote:

As an accountant, I can appreciate the cost to administer this program was probably exhorbitant.  My chosen organization was the booster organization for my son's sport team.  To be honest, what we made from it was not a lot.  I imagine Amazon was processing and reconciling donations and issuing very small payments to many organziations.  All that costs money.

On the other hand, I also volunteer at my community's food bank and resource pantry and see first hand the contributions Amazon makes in terms of donations and volunteer hours from their team.

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I could have understood that perhaps the range of recipients became unmanageable and could have supported them narrowing down the scope. Still, they might have been more inclusive of a variety of types of target recipients and continued to permit customers to designate their choice within a more narrow list, but instead they simply chose what they assumed to be hot button groups to receive their largess for which they likely expect to receive the most kudos. They won't be getting any from me.

[occasionalrain]

In the past, because of Smile, I would just order what I wanted from Amazon rather than looking about for the best price. Now, I'll compare prices, and donate what I save.

[CelticCrafter]

Instead of every charity around, they should pick 4 or 5 like Subaru does.

[deepwaterdotter]

I wonder on which 'side' of the political spectrum Warrior Canine Connection falls.  I didn't choose to donate to them for political reasons, but because they help challenged veterans and their families.

[Mindy D]

I think that it was great that Amazon participated in this program over the years. If they have to cut back now, I won't stop my Prime membership. I'll just be grateful for their past help with the Smile Program.  This program must be costly to administer and Amazon is cutting back on costs including having to lay off staff hired to meet the increased demands of the pandemic that are no longer needed. 

[Rockycoast]

Just reread the Charities that Amazon is now and will be supporting/donating to.  Very good indeed.  Low income housing, helping out students in school systems that can't afford what is needed, Fast tracking disaster aid, Food banks. Yes, very happy that Amazon has chosen to help our fellow Americans in need.  You have to wonder about the people that think that these causes are unworthy of being donated to or helped. smh   As stated I will continue to purchase from Amazon.  No reason not to.