Amazon’s 2-day shipping meets its match in Irma
More like 13; other companies pull back
Amazon, which has trained all of us to expect packages delivered in two days or fewer, has met its match — Hurricane Irma.
Florida residents have been receiving cancellation notices from Amazon, due to the severity of the hurricane, and Amazon isn’t saying when it will be able to follow through with delivery.
More than a half-million Florida residents are being asked to evacuate, and the ones staying behind are desperate to get water and food. Many turned to what has become the go-to source — Amazon, where a $99 yearly subscription gets them guaranteed two-day delivery. Until now.
“Due to severe weather conditions as a result of Hurricane Irma, deliveries are experiencing delays,” Amazon said in a statement. “We apologize for the inconvenience.”
Google Express, the shopping delivery service started by Amazon’s rival, also is pulling back. “Due to inclement weather in Florida, you may see limited deliveries and delays,” Google said on its website.
Shopping for water on Walmart.com wasn’t any easier. A case of 10 bottles is available for $4.99, plus $5 shipping, but wouldn’t arrive until next Friday.
Amazon was accused earlier in the week of enabling price gougers after customers noticed its third-party sellers advertising cases of water for $100 apiece. But a Friday check showed water prices back in check, with a 24bottle case of Fiji water, for instance, selling for $23.99 and free shipping. However, customers in Florida couldn’t get delivery when they needed it, which is now. Instead of the normal twoday delivery, Amazon quoted 13 days, with arrival Sept. 21.
The storm showed there’s still a need for retail stores. Grocery chains and warehouse stores sold out of bottled water and other items as Floridians stocked up before Irma was to hit.