The new free-shipping membership program at Amazon.com was a leading factor in the company’s 30 percent dip in net income for the first quarter, reports Rachel Konrad in an Associated Press wire story. Konrad reports the company earned $78 million for the quarter, as opposed to $111 million for the same quarter last year. Sales were up, however, and part of the dip also had to do with tax expenses. But analysts “remained concerned” that the company will slip behind other retailers, says Konrad. Says one expert, “You still have revenue growth deceleration and margin growth contraction. The fundamentals continue to deteriorate and haven’t stabilized yet.” Some are also concerned by another major expense: the company spent $46 million to settle pending lawsuits but “would not comment on the nature of the legal settlements.” Meanwhile, operating income is expected to fall even more next quarter.