1. Understanding Amazon's Deal Structure
Before diving into the best ways to score deals, it's essential to understand Amazon's deal ecosystem. The company offers several types of discounts and promotions that can help you get the most value for your money:
Lightning Deals: Time-limited promotions that feature significant discounts on specific items. These deals are usually available for a few hours or until the limited stock runs out.
Deal of the Day: Amazon offers one major deal per day, often at a deep discount. These can include anything from electronics to household products, but be quick—once they're gone, they're gone!
Amazon Prime Early Access Deals: Available to Amazon Prime members, this feature gives you early access to lightning deals and other discounts, often a few hours before they’re available to non-members.
Today’s Deals: This is a dedicated section of Amazon that includes everything from lightning deals to “Best Deals,” which feature significant discounts on everyday products.
2. Leverage Amazon's Price Tracking Tools
Amazon prices fluctuate regularly, so how can you ensure you're getting the best price? Luckily, there are several tools and tricks to track price history:
CamelCamelCamel: This third-party website tracks the price history of Amazon products. You can view historical prices for a specific item and even set up alerts to notify you when the price drops to your desired level.
Honey: A browser extension that automatically searches for the best available coupon codes when you check out. Honey also offers a feature to track prices and send notifications about price drops on items you're interested in.
Keepa: Similar to CamelCamelCamel, Keepa tracks price history and offers a browser extension that provides real-time price comparisons across various Amazon listings.
3. Amazon Prime Membership Benefits
For many, the cost of an Amazon Prime membership is well worth it, especially if you're a frequent shopper. Prime membership offers several perks that can enhance your shopping experience:
Free Shipping: Two-day shipping on most items, same-day or one-day delivery in select areas, and free no-rush shipping are some of the major shipping benefits of Amazon Prime.
Exclusive Deals: Prime Day, an annual event exclusively for Prime members, offers massive discounts on a range of products. But throughout the year, Prime members get exclusive access to certain lightning deals and discounts.
Prime Early Access: Members can grab select Lightning Deals and “Deal of the Day” items up to 30 minutes before non-members.
4. Check for Coupons and Promo Codes
Amazon often offers digital coupons and promo codes that can be applied to your purchases. These discounts are easy to miss if you’re not actively looking for them, but there are ways to make sure you don’t overlook savings:
Amazon Coupons: Amazon has a dedicated Coupons section where you can browse available digital coupons. Simply click on the coupon you want to use, and it will be automatically applied to your cart during checkout.
Promo Codes: While Amazon doesn't rely heavily on promo codes like other online retailers, some products, especially third-party listings, may have valid discount codes. You can find these codes in product descriptions, email newsletters, or through third-party coupon websites.
5. Consider Amazon Warehouse and Refurbished Products
Amazon Warehouse offers discounts on used or refurbished items that are still in good condition. These items might have been returned, but they’re still functional, and Amazon provides detailed product conditions (like “Used - Like New” or “Used - Very Good”).
Additionally, Amazon offers a "Renewed" section, where you can find certified refurbished electronics, including laptops, phones, and cameras, often at a significant discount compared to new models. Renewed products come with a warranty, adding a level of assurance to your purchase.
6. Stack Your Discounts: Amazon Subscribe & Save
If you buy certain products regularly, Amazon’s Subscribe & Save program can help you save up to 15% on items you need to reorder. The program is great for everyday necessities like toiletries, cleaning supplies, pet food, and even groceries.
In addition to the subscription discount, many products available via Subscribe & Save are also eligible for Amazon Coupons, which can be stacked on top of the subscription discount for even more savings.
7. Use Alexa for Exclusive Deals
If you own an Alexa-enabled device, you can take advantage of voice-activated shopping to find deals on Amazon. Alexa often provides exclusive discounts or offers that aren’t available elsewhere on the site. For example, you may ask Alexa for discounts on specific items or check for "Alexa-only" promotions during Amazon events like Prime Day.
Timing is everything when it comes to shopping on Amazon. There are certain times of the year when prices are typically lower due to sales events, such as:
Amazon Prime Day: Held every summer, Prime Day is Amazon's biggest annual sale event, offering deep discounts on a wide range of products.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Amazon participates in these major retail events with discounts across nearly every category, from electronics to home goods.
Holiday Season Sales: Around Thanksgiving and Christmas, you can find significant markdowns on various products, making it an ideal time to stock up on gifts or essentials.
9. Check Seller Reviews and Product Ratings
When looking for the best deals, it’s easy to get swayed by low prices, but remember that quality matters. Always check seller ratings and reviews to ensure that you’re buying from a reputable source. A great deal isn’t really a deal if the product breaks quickly or doesn’t meet expectations.
Amazon’s Customer Reviews section offers a wealth of information about a product, including its pros, cons, and real-world performance. You can filter reviews by rating to read about both the best and worst experiences, and many users even upload photos to give you a better idea of what you’re getting.
10. Be Patient: Wait for Deals to Resurface
Sometimes, the best deal is just waiting for the right time. If you're not in a rush, consider adding items to your Wish List and monitoring their price over time. Some items may go on sale unexpectedly, and others may have limited-time promotions that will resurface later in the year.