Earlier this week, Amazon told its Prime customers that it would be increasing the cost of its membership.
The online giant confirmed that the price increase would affect both monthly and annual subscribers.
The price hike is the first in years and will see Irish customers hit with significantly higher bills.
READ MORE: How to cancel Amazon Prime and get a refund
Those with an annual subscription through the German .de marketplace will see their bill increase by 30% from €69 to €89.90, while customers who pay the monthly fee of €7.99 will now have to pay €8.99, a rise of 12.5%, making their annual bill nearly €108.
Any Irish customers subscribed through the UK offering, will be paying £8.99 (€10.70) per month instead of £7.99 (€9.50), while the annual fee will rise from £79 (€94) to £95 (€113) - depending on exchange rates.
Subscribers who do not want to pay the increased prices have just weeks to cancel as the changes are due to come into effect on September 15.
In a statement to customers, the world's largest online retailer cited "increased inflation and operating costs" as well as faster delivery and more content to stream on the price rises.
A spokesperson said: "We will keep working to ensure Prime offers exceptional value for members."
One money saving expert issued a stern warning to Amazon Prime members.
Martin Lewis wrote on Twitter: "Amazon Prime to hike price. On 15 Sept, the monthly membership price increases from £7.99 (€9.50) to £8.99 (€10.70), and annual membership from £79 (€94) to £95 (€113)."
"If you currently pay monthly, and want to keep it, if you can afford switch to annual now, to get next year at £79 (€94). Pls share."
Martin's tweet sparked a strong response among his 1.6 million followers and other Twitter users. Many said they are planning to cancel Amazon Prime as a result of the price increase, Manchester Evening News reports.
@de519n said: "I'm going to cancel Prime & Netflix and I also have YouTube that I pay for That’s £40 a month saved."
@MrWButterfield wrote: "Just had the email. What a hike. Blooming cheek. Can't live without Amazon though. What to do?"
@gazzas89 said: "Or, everyone cancels because of the price hike, you'll see amazon quickly drop that price back down."
@VoxLibero said: "That's way above the fictional gov't inflation figure. So, £12 more p.a. if you pay monthly and £16 more if you pay annually. A 12.5% increase on the monthly fee and a whopping 20% increase on the annual fee."
@floozy666 asked: "How do Amazon justify 'only' 12% increase for monthly payments but 17% increase for those of us that pay up front?" @Mikes_Brother slammed: "To all those shouting "It's only a Pound" It's a twelve percent increase. Accept that on everything..."
However, some people don't understand the outrage, and have said they're happy to just cancel if prices are rising.
@SarahConway128 said: "I don’t understand the outrage here. Personally if I got rid of Amazon tomorrow, my life won’t change one bit. Just don’t renew it. I won’t."
@philli73507827 said: "But it is the first price rise since 2014 and look how much fuel has gone up for delivery since then."
@RevagreenukAndy wrote: "Need to remember Prime is an optional luxury and you should assess if you can afford it. Amazon are entitled to raise prices so it’s very much your own circumstance and call if you want to pay it. The world is becoming a subscription provider…."
A spokeswoman for Amazon Prime said: "Prime offers the best of shopping and entertainment, and continues to improve each year. We have increased the number of products available with fast, unlimited Prime delivery, recently added ultra-fast fresh grocery delivery, and have significantly expanded our high-quality digital entertainment, including TV, movies, music, games, and books. With increased inflation and operating costs in the UK continuing to rise, we will change the price of Prime."
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