Review: Amazon's same-day delivery service is a big win for consumers

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

You really can't ask for anything more. If you're lazy to go out shopping, or need one or two elusive items right away, same-day delivery is well worth the money you spend on shipping and handling. 

While not as extensive in terms of products and categories offered as its larger US-based counterpart, Amazon.ca has developed into a very viable place to do one's online shopping. Thanks to the relative ease of use, that trusty One-Click purchasing button and some of the most informed user reviews. For Amazon users at a nominal price. I tested the service over the weekend and was quite impressed at how well it worked.

“It’s all about convenience,” Alexandre Gagnon, country manager for Amazon.ca, said. “We know that people who shop online at times may want the items faster.”

To test the service, I decided to purchase a $14.99 case for my iPod Touch. Amazon.ca had the Snugg Silicone Case in Black. Shipping and handling for same-day delivery service was $6.99 so the whole thing cost $21.98, which isn't bad considering many iPod Touch cases cost around $30.00 in retail stores, it was a good deal. I actually ordered the item on Friday evening, which technically meant same-day deliver for the next day. 

Amazon's website has a counter giving you an estimate of how much time you have to order in order to get it within the 'same-day' time frame. In my experience, the item shipped from Mississauga at around 3:00 p.m. the next day, a Saturday. It was delivered by courier to my doorstep at around 5:30 p.m.

Amazon.ca doesn't use standard services like UPS, Purolator or FedEx, they use Dynamex. Tracking information is sparse and not as detailed as say, UPS, but since it is same-day guaranteed, people are expected to pay less attention to this information. As for Dynamex, they seem willing to go the extra mile. A lot of deliveries to my building are often incomplete because some delivery people don't want to hunt for the buzzer code or would rather just leave a tag at the lobby.

Despite not having a buzzer code to get in the building, the Dynamex delivery person waited to get in and delivered it right to my door. He made sure I was the designated receiver of the package and while he didn't make me sign for it, seemed satisfied he had done his job. None of the bigger courier services would have gone the extra mile.

Overall, the service is impressive and fast. You really can't ask for anything more. If you're lazy to go out shopping or need one or two elusive items right away, same-day delivery is well worth the money you spend on shipping and handling. It is great to have this service available to Toronto and Vancouver with the hope that it will spread to other cities in Canada. 

This puts even more pressure on retailers who are already having a difficult time competing on price and can't quickly switch delivery models like Amazon.ca has. Pricing is more competitive online and now with the promise of getting your items faster, there's very little reason to slog it out in a big box store for one or two small items that may or may not be in stock. So far, Amazon's same day deliver service is a big win for consumers and one that I expect will be getting a lot of use this holiday shopping season.

Rating: 5 out of 5