Amazon Prime Now Comes To Tampa Bay

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay area shoppers who just can’t wait two days for standard Amazon Prime deliveries now have a new option. Amazon.com has rolled out is Prime Now service in some Tampa area communities.

Prime Now provides one- to two-hour delivery service on a wide range of products, including staples like milk, soft drinks and toilet paper. It also includes delivery of electronic devices, pet food, small appliances, games and a number of other items. All told, the company says more than 25,000 items are available that cover 25 different categories.

Amazon kicked off Prime Now in the Tampa area bright and early Wednesday morning. The service is currently limited to such areas as Tampa, St. Petersburg, Plant City and Apollo Beach, among others. One-hour delivery costs $7.99 for Amazon Prime members, but is free for Amazon Prime members willing to wait at least two hours. While Prime members can enjoy the service at no charge, the company does recommend tips for the drivers. The amounts are even suggested by the system, based on the size of the order. A minimum $20 order applies.

Prime Now customers can also schedule their delivery windows. The service is available seven days a week and operates “from early morning to late evening,” Amazon says on its website.

While some markets already served by Prime Now also enjoy restaurant delivery service, Tampa is not yet one of them. Restaurant delivery is currently limited to Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago, Seattle, Austin, Baltimore and Portland. Tampa customers will also find their product orders are limited to items available through Amazon. Prime Now does offer local store delivery in some markets, as well.

Prime Now is available to Amazon Prime customers on the company’s website or via Android and iPhone apps. Amazon Prime membership costs $99 a year. To see if Prime Now is available in your community, just type your ZIP code into the “Shopping In” box at the top of the Prime Now website. Customers who live in areas now currently served can still download the app. Prime Now will notify customers when delivery is available in their ZIP code area.

Editor's note: I decided to try the service Wednesday after learning my ZIP code was covered. Everything ordered, arrived as promised, with about 25 minutes to spare on the delivery window. The driver was super helpful in bringing the groceries up to the house.

Photo courtesy of the Amazon.com

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