Millions of Americans are afflicted with Amazon.com shopping fever. And no cure is needed or desired. It gives you buying access to just about anything you can legally conceive off, and it’s insanely convenient with prices that give brick-and-mortar stores a serious run for their money. However, if you know and incorporate a few tricks, there are even more splendid bargains to be enjoyed.
Here are 10 secret ways die-hard Amazon shoppers can shave even more money off competitive prices.
1. Amazon Associates
Amazon Associates is the website’s affiliate program. Every time you send someone to Amazon, you get paid a percentage of whatever they spend. It’s really geared toward bloggers and small businesses, but any user can get on the fun. You’ll need your own website that does not violate intellectual property rights or promote sexually explicit materials, violence, illegal activities, or discrimination based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or age.
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Ask a friend — who’s also a regular Amazon shopper — to sign up with you as Amazon affiliates. You can’t earn an affiliate commission on your own purchases, but you can on someone else’s. Then, when you shop on Amazon, use your friend’s affiliate link and when they shop, they use yours. It’s an easy way to make up to 10% cash back on each other’s purchases.
2. Subscribe and Save
Amazon savings apply to more than books and electronics. Want to stock up on essential household items like toilet paper or laundry soap, use the “Subscribe and Save” feature available on many household items. It’s easy and convenient to use: You agree to receive regular, automatic shipments of certain products, and in exchange you get free shipping and a discount. The discount starts at 5% for a single item and climbs to 15% if you subscribe to five eligible items. Since you can cancel at any time, if you’d like, you can sign up for Subscribe and Save, receive one shipment at the reduced price, and then cancel.
3. Amazon Prime
For heavy-duty Amazon buyers, Amazon Prime is the way to go. It costs $99 for an annual membership, but you get free two-day shipping, which is worth more than the membership price and is a true gift that keeps on giving, especially around the holidays. Plus, you can borrow from an extensive Kindle library for free, and stream video for free. There’s also free streaming music and free unlimited cloud picture storage. If you’re reluctant to shell out $99, you’re still in luck: Amazon gives you a free one-month trial before they charge you — a one-month trial that may be perfect for, say, the holidays and other gift-giving occasions.
4. Deal Tracker Sites
Amazon’s deal tracker sites let’s you price watch on your own by clicking “Save for Later” on the items that interest you. You can create a wish list or place items in your cart and wait for the price to drop; a big enticement for you to buy. Websites such as CamelCamelCamel.com and TheTracktor.com can show you historical Amazon price data, as well as send alerts when a price on a certain item reaches a preset amount.
5. Amazon Mom
Moms are big business for retailers. The cost of all those diapers add up quickly, but you can get 20% off a diaper subscription with Amazon Mom. Amazon also offers a one-time 10% discount — up to 15% for Amazon Prime members — on select items from your baby registry 60 days before your child’s arrival date.
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(Image: Pixabay)
6. Amazon Student
Poor college kids need a break too. As a reduced-price version of Amazon Prime, Amazon Student is the ideal option. At half the price of Prime, you get the same benefits, plus special student offers and promotions. You can also get a six-month free trial of Amazon Student compared with the 30-day trial offered to Prime members, which comes with free two-day shipping. You may not get access to free video or music streaming, or the Kindle lending library, but with so many other benefits and discounts, it’s hard to complain. To get an Amazon Student membership, you need an .edu email address or must be able to otherwise verify your enrollment status.
7. Unearth Deep Discounts
Every day can be like Black Friday on Amazon.com if you know where to look. Before you pay full retail price, check out these sure bets from Amazon.
- Used items. Amazon allows third-party sellers and individuals to sell used items through its site. Some of these “used” items are actually new and sold at a deep discount. Look for items that are eligible for free shipping. And shop carefully — beware of those penny books that come with $15 shipping and handling charges.
- Deal of the Day. Every day, Amazon has a new deal. You can find it by clicking on “Today’s Deals” next to the Amazon logo at the top of the page.
- Lightning Deals. These are also found on the Deal of the Day page. They offer a limited number of deeply discounted items for only a couple of hours.
- Outlet Department. The Amazon Outlet is often buried on the site and may be difficult to find unless you stumble upon it.
8. WarehouseDeals.com
WarehouseDeals.com? What’s that all about? Aren’t we talking about Amazon here? Yes and Warehouse Deals is the quick link to Amazon’s warehouse, where you can find all their refurbished and open-box items.
9. Amazon Freebies
If you watch the Deals Section, you probably already know that Amazon regularly offers promos, including free music downloads, free apps, free e-books and free streaming video credits. In addition, look for items that come with built-in freebies. One of the most common deals to find on Amazon is a free instant video for streaming with the purchase of select movies.
10. Get Your Amazon Swag
Finally, one of the best ways to save on Amazon may actually be off the Amazon.com site. A number of rewards and survey websites let you earn points that can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards. SwagBucks.com and MyPoints.com are examples of sites offering Amazon gift cards. Another option is to shop through Ebates.com and get cash back on your purchase.
