8 secrets to shop Prime Day without getting ripped off

Prime Day started in 2015 as a one-day event to celebrate Amazon’s 20th anniversary. Prime members were given access to many deals, and inventory quickly sold out. There was some criticism that the sale did not include the most sought-after products.

Amazon has since shaken things up. Prime Day is now an annual event with tons of deals on the products you really want. This year’s 2-day Prime event will run till June 21 and 22, but you can get great deals right now. Tap or click here for 15 Early Bird Specials.

You have to be a Prime member to shop for Prime Day deals, but there’s a trick to it. Actually, there are many ways to take full advantage of this event. Do not worry. We’re here to help.

1. Members only?
You don’t have to join Prime for the long haul, try the 30-day trial instead. Go to Amazon.com/gp/prime and tap on Try Prime. You must have a current, valid credit card. You will be automatically upgraded to a paid subscription plan at the end of the trial period unless you cancel first. Tap or click here for more information on what you get as a member.

The free Prime trial gives you access to all the same benefits as a paid subscription. Tap or click here to see some of the highlights of Prime Day 2021, including streaming concert events, rewards, and more.

2. Know what to avoid
Certain product categories sell better at different times of the year. For example, the price of outdoor products tends to drop at the end of summer. Toy deals only get better as the winter holidays come to a close—look for pre-Christmas sales.

If you’re spending a large chunk of change, see if your state offers a tax-free vacation. This usually applies to essentials such as school supplies, food, clothing, computers and equipment, but can also apply to cosmetics, toys, games, and more.

3. Make a List Before You Buy
Just like buying food on an empty stomach, shopping sales can cause you to buy more than you need to. Do some research and add products to your wish list before buying anything. View a Lightning deal and click View this deal to add it to your watchlist and receive notifications.

Have an idea of ​​how much you are willing to spend and don’t spend more than that budget. There are countdown timers and bonuses to impress you into spending more money, but don’t fall for it! Keep checking your deal information to make sure you’re getting the best prices.

4. When a Deal Isn’t Really a Deal
Some sellers use Prime Day to fool you into thinking a product is on sale when it really isn’t. Add deal notifications to your account to track the prices of the products you want.

You can also check out third-party tools like CamelCamelCamel. This free Amazon price tracker alerts you when prices drop. You can download a free extension for Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox and Opera at camelcamelcamel.com/camelizer. Once installed, click the camel icon in your address bar to view historical pricing data or set the clocks to receive email notifications when prices drop.

5. Don’t Trust Everything You Read
Glossy reviews are great for making a buying decision, but you also need to pay attention to scams. Sellers and buyers can collaborate to raise a product’s rating and move it higher on Amazon’s list of recommendations. Tap or click here to read about a scam that exposed millions of data records used to trick buyers. You can also check out our tips on identifying fake reviews there.

Third-party software can help you weed out false information. FakeSpot is a free browser extension that generates fake reviews at some of the biggest online retailers, including Amazon, eBay, Best Buy, and Sephora.

FakeSpot also has an app for iOS that lets you browse reviews and even make purchases using the app. You can download it from App Store.

6. Watch Out for Counterfeits
Beyond bad reviews, you should be on the lookout for unnamed brands and knockoffs. While off-brand products are cheaper, you usually get what you pay for. The product itself may not perform as promised or may be defective. If so, you’ll have more trouble getting technical support and customer service for these items. Amazon will take no steps to help if the product is not covered by its return policy.

Knockoff products aren’t always trying to present themselves as the real thing. These items may look similar to the original article but have a slightly different name or design element. Fake Fitbits are trending on Amazon. These copycat gadgets may function similarly but are similar in build or app.