Amazon Prime Day Shopping Countdown
Attention, economical individuals! The much-anticipated Amazon Prime Day will shortly grace us with its digital presence. This year's shopping spree runs from June 23 to June 26, about a fortnight ahead of last year's timing. Once an ephemeral 24-hour event in July, it's now emerged as the prime summer sale, spanning an indulgent four days. This offers ample opportunity to avail of the countless discounts on offer.
Both current and future parents will find these discounts invaluable to minimize expenditure on major purchases - strollers don't come cheap these days - to everyday necessities like diapers. And with some shrewd planning and useful hacks synthesized from almost a decade of covering Prime Day, you can maximize your savings.
Setting Up for Prime Day
Prime membership is prerequisite number one. In order to cash in on Prime Day offers and quick two-day shipping, be sure to have your membership ready before June 23. Subscription is easy and accompanies many benefits like swift delivery and Prime Video access. The glaring con is the fee - $15 monthly or $139 annually. You're free to discontinue your membership post Prime Day, an attractive option if you intend to shop extensively.
Registries are a good idea, especially if there's a baby due. An Amazon baby registry carries the advantage of a 15% off completion discount which can be applied to baby equipment. Though it's disappointing that you can't combine this discount with Prime Day offers, it serves as a useful insurance for smart shopping. Say, your desired stroller has a 12% Prime Day discount - using your 15% discount later would be more logical. Conversely, if a coveted car seat has a whopping 25% discount, buying during the Prime Day event would be the right move.
Five Prime Day Shopping Hacks
You've prepared well, now for the actual shopping. Approach Prime Day deals, reaching up to 70% off, strategically to optimize savings.
1. Monitor Lightning Deals: These are transient, highly tempting discounts on popular items during the four-day sale. The catch is the unpredictability of when and on which item these bang-for-buck deals will appear. Be in the know by installing the Amazon app and creating a ‘Watch this deal’ list. This way, you get instant notifications about imminent deals, helping you snag a great deal.
2. Explore Amazon Resale: Prime Day bolsters the already attractive discounts on pre-used items offered on Amazon Resale. With that in mind, refrain from buying items like car seats, breast pumps, and cribs secondhand for safety.
3. Leverage Price Tracking Websites: Browser extensions such as CamelCamelCamel are available to help you navigate Amazon's fluctuating prices. You can view changes over the past few days or even for a monthly evaluation to ensure you're getting a genuine bargain.
4. Confirm the Product’s Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): Amazon is sometimes guilty of inflating the 'original' price of items to exaggerate discounts. By knowing what a product is typically priced at, you can avoid being fooled.
5. Compare Prices: In the past, other retailers such as Target, Walmart, and Nordstrom have conducted rival Prime Day sales, offering incredible deals surpassing Amazon's.
Most Anticipated Prime Day Deals
Amazon's Prime Day offers remain cryptic till the sale's commencement. Yet, patterns have been noted over the decade-long coverage of Prime Day. Keep a lookout for these items during the four-day spree:
Diapers, Baby Wipes, and Creams: Prime Day is a golden opportunity to replenish your baby's changing station. In previous years, brands like Pampers and Huggies offered discounts up to 30%. Amazon's Subscribe and Save feature can be used for further savings.
Baby Feeding Supplies: Look out for deals on items like pumps and other breastfeeding accessories.
Baby Monitors: Prime Day is known for discounts on electronics. Brands like Nanit, Owlet, and HelloBaby often undergo heavy markdowns during the sale.
Car Seats and Strollers: Brands like Graco, Britax, and Maxi-Cosi have previously been discounted by 30% during Amazon Prime Day.
Toys: Discounts of up to 50% on toys can alleviate summer boredom or assist with early holiday gift shopping.
If you're overwhelmed, don't fret. Simply bookmark this page and check out our coverage during Amazon Prime Day. Updated deals worth your investment will be listed here.