“After absorbing these increases for as long as we could, we recently adjusted pricing across our product lines.”
The Echo Dot went from $49.99 to $79.99 overnight. These devices were always sold below cost because the product was never the speaker, it was the household attached to it. Now you pay 60% more for the privilege of being inventoried. Amazon promises occasional promotions, which is how a company tells you the new price is the real price.