Amazon begins offering same-day delivery in select cities

Amazon has made a name for itself by offering a huge selection of goods for sale over the internet, available in many parts of the globe, often with free shipping. Now the company is offering super-fast shipping to sweeten the deal in a handful of locations.

Customers who live in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, Baltimore, Las, Vegas, and Seattle can select same-day deliver if they place an order early enough in the day (before 10:00AM in most areas, and before 1:00PM in Seattle).

Of course, same-day delivery ain't exactly free budget shipping. Amazon Prime members, who pay $79 per year for some extra perks will have to pay $6 per item for the speedier delivery. Non Prime members will have to pony up substantially more cash. The New York Times notes that a box of diapers will set you back $15 in shipping. When I checked the shipping charges for an HD media player, it was closer to $20.

What do you think? Are you more likely to buy something if shipping is fast? Or cheap?

Tags: amazon, retail, same-day-shipping