Never Run Out of Toilet Paper Again! How to Use Amazon Pantry

UPDATE: UNFORTUNATELY, AMAZON HAS ENDED THE AMAZON PANTRY PROGRAM AS OF JANUARY 8, 2021.

Amazon has plenty of programs meant to make your shopping easier. One of those is Amazon Pantry, but this service comes with a laundry list of rules and restrictions.

Interested in giving Amazon Pantry a try? Check out our complete guide below.

What Is Amazon Pantry?

Amazon Pantry is a Prime perk that allows Prime members to shop for a variety of groceries and household products. The items come in the same sizes you'd find at your local store.

How Much Does Amazon Pantry Cost?

While Prime Pantry had a monthly subscription charge, the program has been rebranded. Now, Prime members can use the newly named Amazon Pantry at no added cost.

How Does Amazon Pantry Work?

Amazon Pantry members can shop on the service's Amazon page. A red Pantry logo should appear next to the info on each item, or else it may not be eligible for the program.

SEE ALSO: 28 Amazon Prime Benefits You Should Be Using

Once everything is in your cart, you can earn Pantry free shipping on orders over $35. Orders that don't meet that threshold will have a flat delivery fee of $5.99, and non-Prime members will pay the same rate for every order, regardless of the amount.

It's important to note that the quantity of items or the number of boxes will not affect that fee.

3 Pitfalls of Amazon Pantry

Though Amazon Pantry is one of the benefits of Prime membership, it does have drawbacks. Here are three downsides of the service:

1. Prime members can't count on 2-day shipping.
   Instead, Pantry orders can take up to four business days to arrive.
   
2. Orders will get split up.
   Even if you order non-Pantry items at the same time, they won't be shipped with your groceries. Regular Amazon orders and Pantry orders are shipped separately.
   
3. Lots of delivery exclusions apply.
   Prime Pantry orders can only be shipped within the contiguous United States, as they're delivered via ground shipping. Therefore, Alaska and Hawaii are exclude, along with P.O. boxes, APO/FPO, dorms, and Amazon Lockers.

Amazon Pantry also can't be used by customers who are purchasing for the purpose of reselling. These orders might also be subject to sales tax.

How Can I Save With Amazon Pantry?

Before you give Amazon Pantry a try, know that you can actually save even more using coupons with the program.

You can redeem Pantry coupons to save extra. However, these are most valuable when you're already planning to purchase the eligible products. Additionally, Pantry notes that you can shop Amazon Brands to receive "great quality" at the "right prices."

Is Amazon Prime Pantry Worth It?

If you're not already a Prime member, it's likely not worth signing up just to access Amazon Pantry. But if you already have Prime, it could definitely help you stay stocked up on essentials like toilet paper.

The service isn't useful for last-minute purchases, either. But if you plan your grocery trips ahead of time, Amazon Pantry could limit your visits to local stores.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Music vs. Other Streaming Services: How Do They Compare?

That said, do some price comparisons. Your local grocery store might actually be cheaper than Prime Pantry in select cases.

Also keep in mind that Amazon Pantry only offers nonperishable foods and household items, so you won't be able to purchase staples like eggs, milk, or fresh meat and produce. Be sure to factor that in when deciding whether Pantry can serve your needs.