Amazon makes it so tricky to cancel that the FTC sued – here’s how

Ever thought about everything Amazon knows about you? I don’t just mean your favorite shampoo and what kind of food your dog eats.

Use this link to get a copy of everything Amazon knows.

Amazon Clinic is a whole different level of data collection. Is it safe to use? Prepare to be shocked. Here’s my take.

Then there’s Prime. If trying to cancel your Amazon Prime membership feels like taking the SATs, it’s not just you. The Big Tech behemoth set it up like that on purpose. Let’s take a closer look at what you get, whether it’s worth it and how to cancel if it’s not right for you.

Operation … what now?

A Federal Trade Commission lawsuit claims Amazon hid its schemes from federal investigators. Regulators say Amazon execs delayed or straight-up rejected user experience changes that would’ve made the cancellation process simpler.

It’s no wonder they did. Because of the confusing maze of instructions, Amazon reduced cancellations by 14%. The runaround includes four pages of deals, offers, snooze alarms and several other distractions.

Amazon codenamed its scheme “Iliad Flow,” a nod to Homer’s legendary epic about the Trojan War.

One influencer says she’s making up to $50K a month on Amazon’s Inspire platform. Here’s how to set up your own.

Is Prime worth your money?

Wondering if Prime’s $139 yearly (or $14.99 monthly) fee is worth it? Here are some of the top features that keep customers hooked:

• Free two-day delivery on over 10 million items.
• Free one-day or same-day shipping on some orders over $25.
• Exclusive access to Prime Day deals.
• Two-hour grocery delivery from Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh.
• Access to stream music, movies and TV shows through Prime Music and Prime Video.

Prime probably isn’t worth it if you shop less than a few times a month and don’t care about extras like Prime Video.

Chances are, the free shipping won’t outweigh the cost of your membership. Without Prime, shipping fees typically cost between $4 and $10.

You can buy packages from Amazon that the buyer never claimed. Get shopping!

Only shop on Amazon sometimes?

You can get a free 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. If you only shop Amazon a couple of times a year, sign up for a monthly membership and be sure to cancel when you’re done.

How to get through the cancellation maze

Want to ditch your Prime membership? You can do it on your computer or smartphone. Here’s how:

Canceling Prime through the Amazon App:

• Open the Amazon app. Click on the three lines in the bottom right corner to bring up the shortcuts menu.
• Click on the Prime button in the upper left corner and then hit the blue Prime icon.
• Click the Prime logo in the top left corner, then click Manage My Membership.
• From the dropdown menu options, click Manage Membership.
• Click End Membership.
• Scroll through the message that tells you how many days are left in your membership. Click Continue to cancel.
• On the next page, click the End on [DATE] yellow button to complete the process.

Canceling Prime from your computer:

• On the Amazon homepage, hover over the Account & Lists tab in the top right corner.
• Click on Prime Membership from the dropdown menu to go to your personal membership page. Then, select Manage Membership on the right.
• Select End Membership from the dropdown menu.
• On the next page, view how many days are left in your billing cycle. Then, click the yellow Continue to cancel button.
• On the next page, click the End on [DATE] yellow button to complete the process.

Phew, you’re done.

Stay ahead of the tech game and keep your knowledge razor-sharp!

Try my award-winning podcast, “Kim Komando Today!” Join me for a power-packed 30 minutes of tech news, valuable tips, and engaging callers from across the country, just like you.

PODCAST PICK: Voice authentication hacked, YouTube’s psych tricks & erase photos easily

Plus, I talked to an IT pro laid off from the public school system due to budget cuts. He needs help finding a new gig. The reason your real flight reservation could be a scam, Amazon launches a small biz network, and the one place you shouldn’t use WD-40.

Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Today” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast player.

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”

Sound like a tech pro, even if you’re not! Award-winning popular host Kim Komando is your secret weapon. Listen on 425+ radio stations or get the podcast. And join over 400,000 people who get her free 5-minute daily email newsletter.

Follow @kimkomando