For the first time in more than a decade Amazon raised their free shipping order minimum to $35 (up $10 from the $25 it was before). This hike might be the result of both inflation and Amazon trying to promote its no minimum order price Amazon Prime service. As an Amazon Prime member myself it does come in handy and makes ordering cheap things hassle free. Plus with Prime you get free 2-day shipping and Prime Video Streaming. It's never fun when things increase in price but it's not all that surprising given how long it's been at $25 and that a dollar does not buy as much as it did years ago. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics $25 in 1995 (when Amazon was first launched) would be $38.41 today in 2013. I'm not sure what Amazon's shipping policy was back in 1995 or when the $25 free shipping minimum was started, as it's been that way as long as I can remember. Either way this will impact a lot of families this Christmas shopping season and everybody should take note of the change, and make adjustments where necessary (by making a larger order, buying Prime, or shopping somewhere else).