Amazon Prime Finally Debuts In India; Offers 60-Day Free Trial But Launch Features Are Disappointing

The much anticipated Amazon Prime services have been finally launched in India. Right now, users can get free 60 day trial after which Amazon Prime would cost Rs 499 a year.

In case you don’t chose this free trial of 60 days, then the same Amazon Prime would cost you Rs 999 per year.

The strangeness of Amazon’s consumer logic doesn’t end here because the launch offers are really disappointing to say the least.

Once you get free 60-day trial, these are the services which Amazon will offer right now:

• Free One day and Two day deliveries
• Early access to ‘lightning deals’ and more (early access means 30 minutes prior to non-Prime customers)

With such nominal offers, Amazon could have waited before launching Prime services in India.

Besides, Prime delivery promises is not applicable to all products and all cities. Only those products which have Prime mentioned in description would be eligible for faster delivery.

Customers in Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Mumbai can get some more additional delivery related services like same-day delivery, scheduled delivery and more.

The hype around Amazon Prime had really exploded in the last few weeks, as speculations were rife about something really big.

We showed evidence that Prime is indeed coming to India and even connected mass hiring within Amazon to launch of Prime. Reports of new fulfillment centers across India was easily linked with launch of Prime; so was their commitment of $5 billion investment.

However, considering the fact that Amazon is planning to invest Rs 2000 crore for creating original videos under Prime services; it is indeed shocking that they have not mentioned anything regarding Prime Videos and Prime Music, the two unique differentiators for their US customers (atleast)

Right now on their landing page, Amazon has simply stated that exclusive videos under Prime would be coming soon.

Some more details pertaining to their launch and Prime services:

• Lookout for ‘Prime’ logo with a tick mark; because these products would be eligible under Prime services for faster delivery
• ‘Fulfilled by Amazon’ products should be eligible for free shipping under Prime services, but it’s not yet clear
• Right now, Amazon charges Rs 40 for standard delivery (between 2-10 days)
• One-day deliveries are charges Rs 100 extra and Two-days deliveries are charged Rs 80 extra.

Unless Prime promises some cool, exclusive content and Amazon Music ensures top of the class songs, at faster streaming, there isn’t much attraction in choosing Amazon Prime. If we compare with Flipkart’s just launched ‘F-Secured’ services, then there isn’t much differences as of now.

Are you opting for the free 60-day trial of Amazon Prime? Do let us know by commenting right here!