Amazon doubles the minimum spend for free delivery to £20

AMAZON has angered shoppers by doubling the minimum spend needed to get free delivery on many items to £20.

The increase will see low prices bumped up by delivery fees, and could drive customers away from the company – already under fire for failing to pay a fair level of corporation tax – and back to the high street.

Amazon offered free delivery on many items until July 2013, when it imposed a minimum spend of £10 to get free delivery, exempting books, DVDs and games.

As of yesterday, customers must spend at least £10 on books and £20 for the majority of other items to qualify for free delivery. Some have suggested Amazon is trying to force customers to sign up to its £79-a-year Prime subscription service, which includes unlimited free one-day delivery on certain items. Under the new regime, shoppers will have to pay a £1.73 delivery for a pair of £12.95 sunglasses – increasing the cost by 13 per cent. And a £15.99 bikini will have a £2.98 delivery charge, upping the price by 19 per cent.

Amazon is hoping shoppers will try to avoid fees by making extra purchases to take orders over the £20 threshold.

Guy Anker of MoneySavingExpert.com said: ‘This is a big blow to anyone who had hoped to get hassle- free, free delivery for spending between £10 and £20.’ He also criticised Amazon for denying the alterations earlier this week.

A contributor on Amazon’s customer forum said: ‘Looks as though I’ll now be shopping more at Argos, eBay, Wilkinsons.’

On Engadget.com, one critic wrote: ‘I hate Amazon now, Amazon logistics is simply the worst delivery system I have ever used.’

Amazon refused to explain the reason for the change.