Amazon launches one-hour delivery service in Raleigh

Want something like paper towels or milk or even a new computer? Don’t want to leave the house but still want to get that shopping item in an hour? You can now. Amazon on Thursday launched its “Prime Now” service in Raleigh.

Carol Vercellino of Cary was among those who jumped on the new quick-delivery service.

“I thought it was really cool,” Vercellino said. “I’m a working mom too, and I run my own company. So, I’m trying to balance getting to the store, buying stuff online and just keeping the family going, and I thought this is awesome.”

The app-only service allows people to order anything from books to baby items – the company says “tens of thousands of daily essentials” are available. One-hour delivery costs an extra $7.99, but two-hour delivery is free.

The service also is restricted to Amazon Prime customers, which is priced at $99 a year for most. College students can get six months of Prime free and then pay half the regular price when the trial ends.

Amazon spokesman Aaron Toso said drivers load up items from a centralized distribution center.

“Some of the most popular items we see are the daily essentials – bottled water is definitely one of them, gummy bears, paper towels,” Toso said.

Delivery is available between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. seven days a week, but a number of delivery windows were unavailable on Thursday.

“This is the first full day we’ve been up and running, and we’ll add capacity as we move forward,” Toso said.

Customers have 48 hours after the delivery to adjust the tip paid to the driver.

Amazon already offers the Prime Now service in Chicago, Los Angeles, Manhattan, Portland and San Diego as well as 20 other markets.

Triangle residents can check the Amazon website to get more details about the service, download the app or check if delivery is available at a specific house or business.

The company said Prime Now service is available in the following ZIP codes: