This isn't how it was explained to me last year. I was told that if you decided not to renew your membership, the difference will be refunded, not "automatically refunded" if you fall short of the cost.Just had a "meh" experience at best, despite me loving them for the past few years. When I signed up for prime a year ago, the deal was you get refunded the difference if you don't save the cost of prime (that deal seems to be scrubbed from the website now). I didn't save the $95, so I emailed last week asking about the refund b/c my membership was up for renewal. Never heard back, so called and got some snot-nosed bratty girl on the other end. When I mentioned the deal, she incredulously asked "where did you see that??" "On your website" was my reply. She was pretty sarcastic and valley-girlish the whole time on the phone. First not-so-great experience with them. Waiting for the prime manager to get in touch with me.
I did also notice they don't mention the refund anywhere on their site; I'm guessing it's no longer a perk.
I'm at an even $70 in savings not counting shipping, and I have about 3.5 months left, so I probably wouldn't have qualified for a refund anyway. The selection + free shipping on any number of boxes + getting it in 2-3 days still makes it worth it for me.