There’s an app for Amazon Prime members that offers a 2-hour delivery service in your local area. It should be noted, the app is rated T for teen. Because getting shit without exerting effort is how teenagers generally view the world? More likely they are marketing young so there will be an entire generation of spoiled brats who don’t remember waiting more than an hour for anything. I think that sums up about how vital a service like this is for daily living. Then again, it’s available in my area and they deliver food from local restaurants. So yeah, I’ll probably use it.
The part I find most disturbing is the public opinion expressed through, what else, Amazon reviews. Hovering around 3.7 stars, the people that laud the idea with 5 stars (41%) are appropriately awed at how fast and convenient it all is. Then there’s the 1 stars reviewers (32%) that either complain it’s not available on laptops or bitch about “hidden fees”, like tipping the delivery person. I guess these people have never had anything delivered by a person ever? Just because Amazon is offering the service doesn’t mean the custom of tipping has been obliterated. As the adage goes: fast, cheap, good – choose two.
The fact it’s only available as a phone app (in opposed to accessible via web browser) makes sense to me and honestly seems like a blessing. This isn’t a service you should use for everything; having it available at all times can only facilitate more impulsive purchasing. Most Americans are more attached to their phones than their house keys and phone use is far more prevalent in the younger market, which they’ve already admitted to targeting. So in general, if typing on your phone is too annoying, maybe you’d prefer to walk down the street and pick up your own loaf of bread. No? Well then pull out your phone, thank the delivery person and don’t forget to tip!