Champaign-Urbana area Amazon.com addicts, rejoice.
The company has picked Champaign as the first Illinois location of its new pickup service, where customers can pick up and return Amazon orders. The staffed center will open at the Illini Union Bookstore, at the corner of Wright and Daniel, this fall.
Here’s the big benefit: Amazon Prime members will receive Free Same-Day Pickup for orders placed by noon and Free One-Day Pickup for orders placed by 10 p.m. That’s right, free same-day pickup. If you have a student in your life, they have special deals on student Prime memberships.
The company has strategically selected college campuses for this service — and is clearly gearing it to University of Illinois students in addition to staff and faculty who find themselves near central campus. However, there’s no restriction limiting use by the general public — unless you count the lack of parking in that area as a deterrent.
“We are thrilled to offer the Urbana-Champaign community more opportunities to save on their overall costs along with great customer service, better selection and convenience,” said Ripley MacDonald, Director of Amazon Student Programs, in a news release.
Of course, not everyone will rejoice on this news. It will put even more pressure on local retailers in an already complex marketplace.
Will you use the service?