Amazon is one of the largest online marketplaces in the world, offering millions of products at competitive prices. However, savvy shoppers know that there are many ways to save even more money and shop smarter on Amazon. Whether you’re a frequent buyer or an occasional shopper, these Amazon hacks will help you unlock discounts, find hidden deals, and make the most of your shopping experience.
1. Sign Up for Amazon Prime
One of the easiest ways to save money on Amazon is by subscribing to Amazon Prime. This membership offers several perks, including:
- Free two-day (or even same-day) shipping on millions of items
- Access to Prime Day deals and exclusive discounts
- Free access to Amazon Prime Video, Prime Music, and Prime Reading
- Early access to Lightning Deals
While Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year, you can often get a free trial for 30 days or qualify for student and government assistance discounts.
2. Use Amazon Coupons
Amazon has a dedicated coupons page where you can find discounts on a wide range of products. Simply visit Amazon.com/Coupons, browse available deals, and “clip” the coupons before adding items to your cart.
3. Shop Warehouse and Open-Box Deals
Amazon offers incredible discounts on open-box and used items through:
- Amazon Warehouse: This section features returned, pre-owned, and refurbished products at lower prices. Many of these items are in excellent condition and backed by return policies.
- Amazon Renewed: Refurbished electronics, appliances, and more, all tested for quality and backed by warranties.
4. Set Up Price Alerts with CamelCamelCamel
Prices on Amazon fluctuate frequently. Use CamelCamelCamel.com, a free price-tracking website, to monitor price drops and historical trends on your favorite products. You can set alerts and receive notifications when prices fall.
5. Take Advantage of Subscribe & Save
For items you purchase regularly, such as household goods, pet supplies, or personal care products, Subscribe & Save allows you to save up to 15% when you schedule recurring deliveries.
6. Utilize Amazon Trade-In
Trade in old electronics, books, video games, and other eligible products through the Amazon Trade-In program. You’ll receive gift cards or discounts on future purchases.
7. Check Out Lightning Deals and Today’s Deals
Amazon’s Lightning Deals and Today’s Deals sections offer limited-time discounts on thousands of products daily. Act fast, as these deals have limited quantities!
8. Buy Discounted Gift Cards
Purchase discounted Amazon gift cards from reputable sites like Raise.com or Gift Card Granny to save a few extra dollars on your purchases.
9. Get Cashback with Amazon Credit Cards and Rewards Programs
Consider using an Amazon Rewards Visa Card or the Amazon Prime Store Card, which offer cashback and special financing options on Amazon purchases.
10. Shop Off-Peak Hours
Some Amazon sellers adjust prices based on demand. Shopping during off-peak hours (late at night or early morning) may help you find lower prices.
11. Look for Third-Party Sellers
Sometimes, third-party sellers offer the same products at lower prices than Amazon itself. Be sure to check the “Other Sellers on Amazon” section.
12. Use Amazon Outlet and Overstocks
Visit Amazon Outlet and Amazon Overstocks to find deeply discounted items across various categories.
13. Stack Discounts and Promotions
Some products allow you to combine coupons, gift cards, and Subscribe & Save discounts for maximum savings.
14. Join Amazon Family
If you have kids, Amazon Family (part of Amazon Prime) offers exclusive discounts on diapers, baby products, and more.
15. Return Items for Price Adjustments
If you recently purchased an item and the price drops shortly afterward, you may be able to return and reorder the item at the lower price.
16. Take Advantage of No-Rush Shipping Rewards
If you’re not in a hurry, choosing No-Rush Shipping can earn you credits for digital purchases like Kindle books, movies, or music.
17. Join Amazon’s Treasure Truck
Sign up for Amazon’s Treasure Truck to receive notifications about limited-time deals and exclusive discounts on popular products.
18. Shop Amazon’s Woot!
Amazon owns Woot!, a daily deal website that offers massive discounts on electronics, home goods, apparel, and more.
19. Share Prime with Family Members
Amazon allows you to share Prime benefits with up to two adults and four teens in your household through Amazon Household.
20. Look for Warehouse Deals on Groceries
Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market often have markdowns and special promotions on groceries, especially for Prime members.
21. Use Alexa for Exclusive Deals
If you own an Amazon Echo or another Alexa-enabled device, you can access Alexa-exclusive discounts by simply saying, “Alexa, what are my deals?”
22. Check for Student and Military Discounts
Amazon offers special discounts for students through Prime Student, which includes a six-month free trial and half-off Prime membership after that. Military personnel may also find occasional promotions.
23. Buy in Bulk
For frequently used items, consider buying in bulk to take advantage of multi-pack savings.
24. Utilize Amazon Assistant and Honey Extensions
Amazon’s browser extension, Amazon Assistant, notifies you of price drops and compares prices across different retailers. Honey, a third-party browser extension, automatically applies the best available coupon codes at checkout.
25. Follow Amazon on Social Media for Flash Deals
Amazon frequently announces special sales and promotions on its social media platforms. Following them on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram can help you stay updated.
Conclusion
By implementing these Amazon hacks, you can maximize your savings and shop smarter. From price tracking and coupon clipping to leveraging rewards programs and exclusive deals, there are plenty of ways to stretch your dollar further. Happy shopping!
