Amazon Prime Lawsuit: Is the Company Delivering on its Promises?

Case Overview: A new lawsuit is examining Amazon's Prime delivery practices, alleging that the company excluded certain zip codes from its fastest delivery options.

Consumers Affected: Amazon Prime members in zip codes excluded from the fastest delivery options.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Amazon is the target of a new class action lawsuit filed by five Washington, D.C., residents who allege the company excluded certain zip codes from its fastest Prime delivery options. The lawsuit claims that while these customers paid for services like Two-Day and Same-Day delivery, they often experienced slower shipping times, Reuters reports.

Plaintiffs Say They Paid for Services They Did Not Receive

According to the filing, Prime members in affected zip codes continued to pay $139 annually or $14.99 monthly for their subscriptions, unaware that Amazon had reduced services in their areas. Starting in mid-2022, Amazon allegedly stopped using its proprietary delivery network in these locations, opting instead for third-party carriers like USPS and UPS.

The lawsuit states that these changes resulted in significant delays compared to the delivery times other Prime members received. For example, in 2023, 75% of Prime packages nationwide were delivered within two days, while only 24% of packages in the affected zip codes arrived in that timeframe.

Prime Members in Underserved Areas Felt Misled

The plaintiffs, including Alamaze King and Emir Gur-Ravantab, claim Amazon failed to inform customers about the delivery changes. They argue that Amazon continued advertising Prime’s fast delivery options without disclosing that certain communities were excluded from these services.

When affected customers raised concerns about slower deliveries, the lawsuit alleges, Amazon attributed the delays to general shipping fluctuations rather than its policy change.

Reduced Service in Communities That Rely on Delivery

The lawsuit highlights the impact of slower shipping times on historically underserved neighborhoods. Residents in these areas, the filing states, often lack access to nearby retail options and depend on fast delivery services for essential goods.

Over the past four years, Prime members in the affected zip codes placed more than 4.5 million orders. Despite paying the same fees as other Prime members, these customers reportedly received slower service, which the plaintiffs argue constitutes a failure to deliver on Amazon’s promises.

Amazon Accused of Exploiting Vulnerable Communities

The lawsuit accuses Amazon of violating consumer protection laws by continuing to charge customers for full Prime services while excluding certain zip codes from the fastest delivery options. 

In the Amazon Prime class action lawsuit, the plaintiffs are asking the court to hold Amazon accountable for what they describe as deceptive practices. The plaintiffs are seeking restitution, penalties, and a court order requiring Amazon to disclose its delivery exclusions.

By filing the lawsuit, they hope to recover damages for affected customers and ensure that Prime services are provided equitably across all zip codes.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: King et al v. Amazon
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-02009
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Jarrett Ellzey (Ellzey Kherkher Sanford Montgomery)
• Janelle Bailey (Washington Injury Law)

Are you an Amazon Prime member? Have you experienced delivery delays? Share your thoughts on this lawsuit in the comments below.