Amazon is keeping their priorities in check. As a result of the coronavirus, the company is delaying the shipments of non-essential items for up to a month. Jeff Baezo’s company is no longer providing two-day delivery to Amazon prime members, too. Not until April 21st will shipping return to normal.
The Delay
Right now, Amazon simply can’t handle the demand of all the orders. Online sales are booming at the moment. In a statement, Amazon explained they had to completely revamp how they do things:
“To serve our customers in need while also helping to ensure the safety of our associates, we’ve changed our logistics, transportation, supply chain, purchasing, and third-party seller processes to prioritize stocking and delivering items that are a higher priority for our customers. This has resulted in some of our delivery promises being longer than usual.”
The Essentials
Want some nice books to read during this pandemic? Sorry, they are non-essential items; there’s kindle afterall. Right now, Amazon’s essentials are the following: baby products, beauty and personal care, groceries, industrial and scientific, and pet-related supplies. These are the items Amazon is focusing on delivering to their consumers with a five-day delivery speed. They’re also the main items Amazon is focusing on restocking.
A rep from Amazon explained to Vox other changes customers will experience:
“We believe our role serving customers and the community during this time is a critical one. As COVID-19 has spread, we’ve seen an increase in people shopping online. To serve our customers while also helping to ensure the safety of our associates, we’ve changed our logistics, transportation, supply chain, purchasing, and third-party seller processes to prioritize stocking and delivering items that are a higher priority for our customers. This has resulted in some of our delivery promises being longer than usual. We are also hiring over 100,000 positions across the U.S. to enable us to provide this vital service to people everywhere, especially to those, like the elderly, who are most vulnerable.”
Another change is asking for tips for people delivering Amazon packages. Tip these workers good, people. They deserve it and need it. Amazon typically adds $5 to an order now to include a tip.
100,000 New Employees
Amazon’s sales have increased so much the company hired over 100,000 new employees. The company warned their customers delays would happen, and now, the delays are. Given what’s happening to the world, it’s hard to complain. Senior Vice President of worldwide operations, Dave Clark explained in a blog post:
“We are seeing a significant increase in demand, which means our labor needs are unprecedented for this time of year. We are opening 100,000 new full and part-time positions across the U.S. in our fulfillment centers and delivery network to meet the surge in demand from people relying on Amazon’s service during this stressful time, particularly those most vulnerable to being out in public.”
Refunds?
Being an Amazon prime member comes with many perks, including original content. However, its main appeal is getting packages fast. Since Amazon Prime is no longer providing quick deliveries, does that mean Amazon will refund or partially refund customers for the next month or two?
Amazon hasn’t commented yet on if that’s possible, but since they’re incapable of one and two-day deliveries, they should. Right now, Amazon is probably grappling with the largest changes and challenges they’ve ever faced. Essential items are what’s most important, so the delay on a book or movie? No problem. There are probably other pressing items consumers need not deemed essentials, but still, the official essentials covers most of the bases of what people need at this time.
