Amazon Prime for Veterans: Don't Bother!

WARNING: The "Amazon Prime for Veterans" program is an absolute joke.

You DO NOT get Prime at a reduced rate ($79 v. $129). Instead, you get to pay for NEXT YEAR'S Prime fee now (e.g. an interest-free loan to Amazon).

First, the registration portal told me I was "not eligible." (I guess 21 years total active and reserve US Army service didn't make the cut?).

So I wrote Amazon "customer service" (ACS). With no explanation I was declared "eligible" (no documents, no proof -- just "OK, you're signed up.")

Fine. I went through the order process and received confirmation. The next day I see two charges for "Amazon Prime Membership" on my bank account. One for $129 (the regular Prime fee now) and an additional $79 (the so-called "discount").

I wrote to ACS: "I do not want to pay for Prime twice."

Amazon Customer Service (ACS) response: "You get to pay for this year and you have a discount for next year."

I replied: "I don't want a discount next year."

ACS response: "But you have a discount next year."

I replied: "I don't want to spend a discounted excessive amount."

ACS response: "It's nonrefundable. But if you cancel the discounted extension, you cancel Prime."

After 4 cycles of this stupidity, I've reached two conclusions:
1. Amazon "customer service" is now merely feeble-minded bots.
2. It's time to move my online shopping experience elsewhere.

Bont Helix Cycling Shoes Review

This is a follow up review to my earlier combined review of several cycling shoes.

I eventually settled on the Lake shoes and have ridden them at least 1500 miles. They're solid, comfortable, and well-made.

I intended to return the Bont Helix shoes but instead they sat in my office. I tried selling them on ebay but no one reached the reserve.

So I decided to give them a try since they were mine now.

As soon as I slipped them on I was reminded of that blasted foam strip on the tongue that presses against the top of the foot. Since it wasn't fair to judge the shoe base don this one feature I put on some Look Keo Red cleats and strapped on the shoes.

Wow -- these felt snug, but not uncomfortably so. The single Boa strap actually works -- the forefoot isn't squeezed but the heel and top of the foot are secure.

Where these shoes really shine are weight and stiffness.

Wow.

These shoes are meant for racing. They are stiff, lightweight, and snug. You will lose no watts to flexy soles or loose connections between pistons and platforms.

On second thought, the Bont Helix is my new favorite shoe for summer riding (they are too snug to fit a thick sock, which is fine).

I only wished I'd chosen white.

 But the black is classy.

Nevertheless, highly recommended!