Bargain hunters can score fantastic deals on Amazon Prime Day, but not all offers are worthwhile. The online shopping giant is slashing prices on thousands of products over Tuesday and Wednesday.
Shoppers Can Get a Great Deal During the Prime Event – But Not Everything is a Good Deal
Amazon has remained tight-lipped about the exact promotions that are set to go live. But judging by past events, shoppers will scramble to stock up on everything from electricals to DIY essentials over the 48-hour extravaganza.
However, clever shoppers need to look past the hype and work out which items are a true deal and which are a dud. It’s a good idea to make a list of items that you need ahead of Amazon’s promotion, so that you’re less likely to impulse buy. Check all the items on a price tracking website ahead of the event – this will allow you to decide whether it’s truly a deal or not. Camelcamelcamel.com specifically tracks items on Amazon and you can set up alerts for when prices drop.
We asked experts give their verdicts on the items to buy and the ones to swerve. And before hitting the buy button, remember to use a shopping comparison site such as Idealo or PriceRunner to check if you can get a lower price elsewhere. You’ll also need a £95-a-year Prime subscription to shop the deals, although you can get a 30-day free trial – just remember to cancel before you start getting charged for a full subscription.
Items To Buy
– Amazon-own products
If you’ve had your eye on a Kindle, Echo, Fire tablets, or Ring doorbells, you’ll likely see some discounts on these and other tech products from Amazon during the Prime deal days. Experts say the event is a good time to buy these items and save up to 50% on normal prices.
– Everyday essentials
You don’t have to splash out on a big-ticket item to get a good deal during Amazon’s event. Keep tabs on the products that you consistently buy and see if you can save some cash by stocking up if prices drop.
– Hair styling tools
Beauty lovers can also use Amazon’s sale to hunt down the latest hair gadgets. “Buyers can get some fantastic discounts on hair styling tools including hairdryers, hair straighteners, and curling tongs, as well as brand names such as GHD,” says Dan Evans, editor at community site HotUKDeals.
– Air Fryers
Anyone who’s been thinking about taking the plunge and buying an air fryer could find a steal over the two-day promotion. Natalie says: “Air fryers are currently all the rage and are slated for substantial price cuts. This includes the Ninja Foodi Max Digital Air Fryer, which has already received a £50 discount – and could see prices fall further during the event.”
– Lego
If you know a Lego lover or are a collector yourself, snapping up the plastic brick sets during Amazon’s two-day deals could pay off. “Historically we have seen some fantastic deep discounts on their crossover play sets – from Harry Potter to Star Wars,” says Dan Evans from HotUKDeals.
– Health and beauty
Amazon Prime Big Deals Days is the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to new makeup or skincare. Anita adds: “Amazon has a wide range of beauty brands listed on-site, including trending brands like CeraVe, Olay, and Elemis. On Amazon Prime Day, these brands were heavily discounted, with up to 83% off on some products, so we can expect big discounts again this October.”
The Ones To Avoid
– Baby products
Parents could hope to get a deal on baby items such as cots, prams, or highchairs. But you might not get the best deal on these items through Amazon’s sale. Most of the big supermarkets also run periodic baby events where shrewd shoppers can pick up great deals.
– TVs and gaming consoles
There are likely to be offers on big tech items that could be tempting during the shopping event. However, better deals could be available when other brands slash prices next month as part of annual Black Friday sales in November.
– Fridges and kitchen appliances
Homeowners looking to deck out their kitchen with new appliances may hope they can score a deal during Amazon’s price cuts. But you’re better offer looking at other times of the year if you can wait, according to Katy Phillips from price comparison site Idealo.
– Toys
As Christmas approaches, parents will be looking for ways to keep costs in check. Buying toys when they’re on offer seems like the perfect way to make savings. But, with the exception of Lego, there are likely to be more competitive deals with other retailers, according to Anita.
Get Ready to Shop
The key to getting the best offers on Amazon’s Prime Big Deals Days is to be prepared. Start by making a list of the items you want and check current prices. You could add the items you want to your basket so you can easily compare prices in one place during Amazon’s sale.
On the day, look whether the cost has gone down and if it’s cheaper elsewhere before heading to pay. It’s worth checking early in the day as the best deals could sell out. Experts say prices are unlikely to go any lower during the event once they are live so if you want the deal, don’t delay.
Discounts offered as part of Amazon Prime Big Deals Days are only available for Amazon Prime members. If you have never signed up for Prime, you can get a 30-day free trial. This will give you access to the sale deals during Prime Day, with the same perks as normal members. Just remember to cancel if you want to avoid the £8.99 a month fee.
You can read more about Amazon Prime membership here.
We’ve also found some early Amazon Prime Day deals that are already live.
