When it comes to getting a good deal be it in a store or online, it can be hard to tell what's worth it and what's not.
Items that are discounted or as part of a deal aren't rare with many sales taking place every single day but when there's a dedicated day, it can often be a little overwhelming for some.
But as we approach Amazon Prime Day, how do you know if you're getting a good bargain?
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The marketplace announced a second Prime Day which is set to take place next week and with this just days away, one expert has given their take on what people should be on the look out for if they spot anything that catches their eye.
Set to take place on October 11 until the 12, Andrea Knowles, budgeting expert at vouchers.co.uk wants to raise awareness of conscious shopping at a time where the cost of living is on the rise.
Amazon Prime Day - what to keep an eye out for and what to avoid
1. Create a wish list beforehand, and set yourself a budget
Whilst the excitement of Amazon Prime Day can result in you spending a lot of money, a bargain is only a bargain if you wanted it in the first place. You should, therefore, create a wish list beforehand. Ask yourself which items are a ‘want’ and which are a ‘need’ and place them in priority order on a piece of paper. Besides each item, you should write down your maximum budget for each product so that you avoid any unnecessary spending.
2. Know that you only need one membership per household
One of the biggest perks of a Prime membership is that you can share the benefits within your household, which includes Prime Day shopping. A household is considered to be ‘up to two adults and four children’. To allow your partner to join your account, Google ‘Amazon Household’.
3. Not an Amazon Prime member? You can sign up for free
To buy an Amazon Prime Day deal, you need to be a member. Whilst this is usually £8.99, they’re currently offering a 30-day free trial which will allow you to shop the deals on the day. Alternatively, if you’re a student, they’re currently offering you six months free if you sign up ahead of Prime Day, and then 50 per cent off the membership price at just £3.99 per month.
4. Buying something expensive? Save an extra £5 by topping up a gift card before the big day
If you plan on making a big purchase (such as a TV or a hoover), it’s worth buying a gift card before the big day. They currently have a deal where if you buy a £60 gift card, you’ll get an extra £5 added to the balance. Do, however, be aware that this deal is only available to those that haven’t topped up their account in the last 36 months.
5. Use this hack to uncover whether you’re getting a good deal
Before buying anything, make sure to check out the product on the free Amazon price tracker website, camelcamelcamel. You can see a price history chart which highlights when the product was the cheapest and by how much. Use this chart to uncover whether you’re getting a good deal as sometimes, the product has been cheaper on a non-discounted day and, therefore, may be worth holding off purchasing.
6. Check out Amazon’s Lighting Deals for the best bargains – however you need to be quick as they last just 30 minutes
One thing many Amazon Prime members are unaware of is that they host flash sales, otherwise known as Lighting Deals. Products will be available at heavily discounted prices for just 30 minutes, or even less if they sell out. To find these deals, you should check out the ‘Today’s Deal’ page. Also, keep in mind that products aren’t kept aside for you whilst they’re in your basket. You must check out for it to be yours.
7. Want to buy a product made by Amazon? Now’s definitely the right time
Whilst thousands of products will be reduced over the two days, the best deals are always those that are Amazon’s own brand, such as the Amazon Echo, Kindle, and more. So, if you’ve been after one of their products for a while, then now is the time to invest.
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