Amazon blasted out an email to early users a few days ago soliciting reviews so that could explain it. I have had Echo for 6 months and I imagine many of the other reviewers have as well. I got a 50% discount for being a Prime member. I'm not aware of any free samples simply for being a Prime member and good customer. My Amazon account is over 15 years old with an absolutely massive purchase history across nearly every product category and I have been a Prime member since the beginning. I'd like to think I would have been in line for a free sample if that was a thing.
Thanks for the info, that explains it.
> My Amazon account is over 15 years old (...)
As a long term Amazon customer too I doubt Amazon cares. They nag me with their Prime subscription opt-in dialog every time like I am a new first time user. Though I couldn't care less about a subscription model - I use Amazon as a online storefront to buy physical and digital goods on demand.
The customer reviews section was previously hidden during the closed beta test, though the review section was accessible with the right URL and just a few weeks ago there were only 4 mixed reviews.
I wonder how many amazon customers got a free sample as one wrote: "SO happy we got to sample one of these playtoys, first! What a disappointment!"