Computer-accessible medium and apparatus for providing subscription-based
shipping of items. Embodiments may provide mechanisms that allow
customers of an e-commerce Web site to pay a fee to obtain a subscription
in a shipping program that provides subscribed customers with free and/or
reduced-rate shipping for at least some items ordered via the e-commerce
Web site during the period covered by the subscription. The Web site may
provide user interface elements on the Web site that may provide one or
more shipping and possibly other options only to subscribed customers.
Some embodiments may provide mechanisms that allow a subscriber to share
a subscription to the shipping program with other customers. One
embodiment may provide a mechanism through which a subscribed customer
can invite other customers to share a subscription. Some embodiments may
provide other exclusive services and/or offers to the subscribers of the
shipping program that are not provided or offered to non-subscribers.