With the Christmas shopping season just wrapping up it’s time to start thinking how to maximize your holiday savings for next year. As you may know, I love shopping Amazon for Christmas deals (in fact probably 90% of my Christmas shopping the last few years has been done through Amazon), but there are a few things you need to know about Amazon shopping to get the most out of your holiday shopping budget. Let me share 14 of my favorites with you.
14 Things You Need to Know About Shopping Amazon Online
#1. Amazon prices change quickly.
As a shopper this can be super frustrating, but this gives you all the more reason to sign up for the Coupon Cravings newsletter here, follow us on Facebook here and add us to your feed reader. Some deals go so quickly that we can only get them on Facebook before they sell out within minutes. But, it’s worth it because you may save $40-$50 on a must-have gift that’s on the top of your child’s Christmas list.
Remember, if you see a good price on something that you’ve been waiting on, grab it.
#2. Amazon Credit & Refund Policy.
I wrote an article here about the Amazon Credit Refund Policy. You’ll want to do yourself a solid and read that article.
Basically, Amazon will match its lowest price on items shipped and sold by Amazon, within 7 days of shipping. Contact Amazon to get a refund of the difference. So buy the great deal that you see, and you may even get MORE money off your purchase!
#3. Amazon coupons are abundant to “clip”.
Head here to see the Amazon coupons page. In fact, bookmark that page – it will come in handy). You’ll find Amazon coupons for diapers, toilet paper, and health & beauty coupons for makeup, toiletries and more. And, most times by waiting for an Amazon sale, I’ll spend less than I would at Target with using coupons that I had to spend time clipping.
#4. Amazon Gold Box Deals Rock!
You’ll see all of the Gold Box deals here. The Goldbox Deals page here is also a great page to bookmark onto your browser bar by clicking here and then “favoriting”. There are toy deals, kitchen deals, game deals, movie deals and more. And more times than not, these items are at their lowest prices.
#5. Amazon Prime Benefits can be shared.
THIS is a BIGGIE…. You can share your free 2-day shipping with other members of your family, even ones that don’t live in your household! You’ll want to be sure you trust them though, as both adult account holders need to authorize each other to use credit and debit cards associated with their Amazon accounts for purchases on Amazon. This will not affect either of their current payment settings, but each adult will be able to copy the credit and debit cards of the other account to his or her Amazon account and use them for purchases with Amazon. This is a great option for Grandmas, Grandpas, Siblings, Nannies and more.
To share your Amazon Prime benefits, head on over here, click “share your prime benefits” at the bottom of the page, and add up to four people.
The add on people that are not the primary account holder will be able to get FREE Two-Day Shipping and Prime Early Access to Lightning Deals with 30-minute early access to Lightning Deals on Amazon, and new events on MyHabit.com. This is a BIG deal this time of the year!
Get a FREE 30 Day Amazon Prime Trial here.
#6. Slow Shipping Pays.
If you’re guaranteed and choose two-day shipping from Amazon, make sure it gets there in time. If your items don’t arrive by it’s delivery date, take a minute to contact Amazon customer service and you may get a credit on your account of up to $10. Awesome-sauce!
And, on some items, you’ll get a $1 MP3 credit when you choose slower shipping.
#7. Add on Items From Amazon.
You’ll see me post deals that are add on items every once in awhile, because they truly are a fantastic deal and price.
Two things about add on items worth mentioning. If the item happens to be offered as a “subscribe and save” deal, you can subscribe to the item and skip the $25 minimum, a great way to get around the $25 minimum purchase.
And, the second … if you have add on items saved for later in your cart that are marked “add to next qualifying order over $25″ they will automatically be included in your next qualifying order of $25 or more. You’ll have a chance to review these add on items before completing your order, too.
#8. Discounted and Free Android Games everyday.
Everyday Amazon offers FREE apps here. They’re generally apps that are $2.99 to $5.99 in value, so it’s a great way to save money on apps for yourself, the kids… whomever!
#9. Add Amazon Mom to your Amazon Prime membership for free.
If you have an Amazon Prime account you can add Amazon Mom benefits at no extra charge, giving an additional 20% off diapers subscriptions and a 15% Baby Registry completion discount. See more about Amazon Mom here.
#10. Use Subscribe & Save to save even more.
When you choose to checkout via Subscribe and Save from Amazon.com you’ll receive free shipping to your home and you are in no way obligated to continue your subscription. And, ANYONE can use subscribe & save and get free shipping, not just members of Amazon Prime. This is a great way to save big money on everyday items for your home like toilet paper, dishwashing detergent and more. If you don’t want to risk paying full price on your next order, after your order has arrived at your home, simply head back over to Amazon.com and cancel your subscription. And, if you subscribe to five or more items to be delivered in the same month, you’ll save 15% off your entire subscribe & save purchase instead of the regular 5%. This is a HUGE money saver!
#11. Returns are so stinkin’ easy at Amazon.
If an item arrives to you broken, or maybe the wrong color, etc., just log into your orders in your account here, explain why you’re returning it, and print a return shipping label. If your return is something that was Amazon’s fault, Amazon may also pay the return shipping costs – more times than not, I’ve had my return shipping paid for AND my correct item shipped overnight. Or, they’ve offered to have me keep the item and receive a refund. That happens, too.
#12. Amazon Prime Memberships are not for everyone.
But, atleast try it out with the FREE 30-Day Amazon Prime trial. College students get a Free 6-month Amazon prime membership to try out the benefits. Give it a shot, especially during the Holiday season when they offer tons of big price drops and you need to order quickly.
#13. You can MAKE money on Amazon.
To sum things up, read my article here on Why We Love Amazon Seller Central and You Should Too. Long story short, you can buy and sell textbooks with these companies, sell toys and more to make money on Amazon!
#14. Kindle Daily Deals are Awesome.
If you’re a reader, you’ll want to know that everyday Amazon offers Kindle Daily Deals where you’ll get Kindle eBooks for more than 50% off. Head here and bookmark the page so you’ve got it handy.
There you have it! My tips on 14 Thing You Need to Know About Shopping on Amazon. 🙂
More Amazon articles that you may enjoy reading:
Amazon Gift Card: Print Amazon Gift Cards at Home OR Get A Free Gift Box with Your Purchase
Amazon eBooks (How to Read Them Without a Kindle!)
Why I Love Seller Central on Amazon and you Should, Too!
What to Know About Amazon Audio Books
Get Amazon Store Credit with this GREAT Tip
