Why We’re Irrationally Loyal to Amazon Prime episode artwork

EPISODE · Dec 8, 2025 · 21 MIN

Why We’re Irrationally Loyal to Amazon Prime

from Nudge · host Phill Agnew

2 out of 3 internet users in the USA pay for Prime.  Yet, most of them are irrationally loyal.  They feel like the subscription provides more cost savings than reality.  Today, on Nudge, Richard Shotton and I explore the behavioural science behind Amazon Prime.  We look at the sunk-cost fallacy and pennies-a-day effect to explain why so many are irrationally loyal to Amazon Prime.  ---  Subscribe to the Nudge Vaults: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/vaults Read Richard’s book: https://a.co/d/fEW7amQ Sign up for my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew-22213187/ Watch Nudge on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nudgepodcast/  --- Today’s sources: Arkes, H. R., & Blumer, C. (1985). The psychology of sunk cost. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 35(1), 124–140. Gourville, J. T. (1998). Pennies-a-day: The effect of temporal reframing on transaction evaluation. Journal of Consumer Research, 24(4), 395–403. Gourville, J. T., & Soman, D. (1998). Payment depreciation: The behavioral effects of temporally separating payments from consumption. Journal of Consumer Research, 25(2), 160–174. Roth, S., Robbert, T., & Straus, L. (2015). On the sunk-cost effect in economic decision-making: A meta-analytic review. Business Research, 8(1), 99–138.

2 out of 3 internet users in the USA pay for Prime.  Yet, most of them are irrationally loyal.  They feel like the subscription provides more cost savings than reality.  Today, on Nudge, Richard Shotton and I explore the behavioural science behind Amazon Prime.  We look at the sunk-cost fallacy and pennies-a-day effect to explain why so many are irrationally loyal to Amazon Prime.  ---  Subscribe to the Nudge Vaults: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/vaults Read Richard’s book: https://a.co/d/fEW7amQ Sign up for my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew-22213187/ Watch Nudge on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nudgepodcast/  --- Today’s sources: Arkes, H. R., & Blumer, C. (1985). The psychology of sunk cost. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 35(1), 124–140. Gourville, J. T. (1998). Pennies-a-day: The effect of temporal reframing on transaction evaluation. Journal of Consumer Research, 24(4), 395–403. Gourville, J. T., & Soman, D. (1998). Payment depreciation: The behavioral effects of temporally separating payments from consumption. Journal of Consumer Research, 25(2), 160–174. Roth, S., Robbert, T., & Straus, L. (2015). On the sunk-cost effect in economic decision-making: A meta-analytic review. Business Research, 8(1), 99–138.

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Why We’re Irrationally Loyal to Amazon Prime

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One Thing Today Michael Nobbs One Thing Today provides a regular nudge to remind you to live gently and to take a small daily step with your creative work. Artistic Accomplices Eric M. Scott We all could use a little creative nudge every now and then that will prod us, encourage us, and give us a shot of inspiration. Artistic Accomplices is the podcast that gives you small doses of motivation and creative encouragement as you make, create, play, and live. Join Eric Scott as he shares his thoughts on art, creativity, and learning and interviews artists, writers, educators, and more. Like the gym buddy that motivates you to hit the gym on a regular basis, Artistic Accomplices is that little voice in your ear telling you to hit the studio, or pull out the paints, or pick up the pen. The Leader's Kitbag Ben Morton The Leader’s Kitbag is a practical podcast for busy and aspiring leaders, hosted by leadership expert Ben Morton.Each episode is packed with tools, tips and tactics you can use immediately. In 5–10 minutes, you’ll get a clear insight, a simple framework or prompt, and a nudge to put it into practice.If you want actionable tools and a clearer path to leadership success, this is your kitbag for the journey. Your Morning Nudge: Breathe & Believe Kasey Crawford Kellem This brief, uplifting podcast is a perfect way to ignite your day! Each morning you will be given a breathing technique and a reminder/anchor words/mantra to help you get up and going through your day! The breaths are great tools to combat anxiety, anger management, depression and to improve focus, relaxation, and happiness. The mantra/reminder are words for you to hold on to during the day to help you cope with stress, conflict, and the day in general! Make this podcast your wake-up call each morning!! Everyone can benefit from a morning nudge!!!

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2 out of 3 internet users in the USA pay for Prime.  Yet, most of them are irrationally loyal.  They feel like the subscription provides more cost savings than reality.  Today, on Nudge, Richard Shotton and I explore the behavioural science...

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