Amazon's much-awaited October Prime Day returns this year with a plethora of substantial discounts up for grabs. Aptly termed as Prime Big Deal Days, this two-day event will transpire on October 10 and 11, promising enormous markdowns on a diverse range of products from everyday necessities to big ticket items.
Parents in particular stand to reap significant benefits from this event, given the many discounted products available to meet their needs. After all, a parent's purchasing list extend beyond items for their children, and this sale will feature deals their home essentials.
However, the potentially overwhelming volume of discounted items can become confusing, if not daunting, for the unprepared shoppers. Parsing through every discount can be a time-consuming challenge, amplified by the dilemma of identifying the deals worth capitalizing on.
Fortunately, there's no need for despair. Several tips and tricks can be deployed to enhance your shopping effectiveness during this two-day sale. What follows are five of these indispensable suggestions for parents seeking to optimize their Amazon Prime Big Deal Days.
#1. Harness the Power of an Amazon Registry for a Completion Discount on Prime Day
If you or your spouse are expecting a baby, signing up for an Amazon baby registry can bring home substantial savings. For Prime members, creating an Amazon registry, also known as a completion discount, allows you to slash 15% off the remaining items on your baby registry list.
The completion discount is applicable even if you opt not to organize a baby shower. You can simply set up a private registry and apply the discount to your more costly needs, such as a car seat, crib, or stroller. Do take note though that the completion discount comes into effect only after your registry has been active for a fortnight. This discount can be capitalized within a 60-day window before or after your expected due date.
Now here's the integral question: how does this mesh with Prime Day? Essentially, the completion discount can inform your decisions regarding immediate purchases and items that can be scheduled for future procurement. For instance, if a coveted stroller is marked 12% off during Prime Day, you can decide to hold off knowing that your 15% completion discount may bring greater savings later on. Conversely, if a car seat you've had your eye on gets a markdown of 25% during the sale, it would arguably be in your best interest to secure it immediately.
#2. Stay Vigilant Against Deceptive Reviews
Careful examination of product reviews can be instrumental during Prime Day to ensure the product's value. However, it pays to remain vigilant against false reviews planted to exaggerate the value of a product or to smear competing items. Such deceitful strategies can be employed by some sellers and brands with a vested interest in the product's market performance.
Practicing discernment enables the identification of authentic reviews. Detailed reviews accompanied by images are generally more trustworthy. Look out for the orange 'Verified Purchase' badge as it signifies that the Amazon has verified the reviewer's purchase at a standard price. You can also use third-party tools, such as Fakespot to gauge the authenticity of product reviews.
#3. Utilize Cart and Wishlist Features for Quick Purchase and Deal Notifications
Prime Day is characterized by rapidly fluctuating sales and items may sell out quickly. Take advantage of the 'Add to Cart' or 'Add to Wishlist' function for desired items, enabling quicker checkout when these go on sale. The notifications function can also alert you when items in your wishlist go on sale or when deals of interest to you are starting. These options can be activated by navigating to the notification settings of the Amazon mobile app, then enabling ‘Watched and Waitlisted Deals’.
#4. Scope Amazon Warehouse for Pre-owned, Open-box, and Used Products
Amazon Warehouse is a trove offering various used items, from gadgets to furniture, all at significantly reduced prices. For frugal shoppers, this is an excellent method of cutting costs. With promoting eco-friendliness as a bonus, pre-owned products can be a wise choice. Though some may have reservations about the condition of these items, Amazon's stringent, 20-point inspection assures functionality and quality.
In this testing process, products are thoroughly examined for potential issues like packaging damage and missing accessories. Each item is then assigned a condition ('like new', 'very good', 'good', or 'acceptable') to provide shoppers a clear picture of what to expect. Prime Day may introduce additional discounts on already marked-down warehouse items, allowing for better savings. However, do remember that certain items related to baby care ought not to be bought secondhand for health and safety considerations.
#5. Prioritize CPSC Approval When Applicable
If you want to purchase sleep-related products like cribs or bassinets during Prime Day, ensure that these items comply with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guidelines. The CPSC sets the competence standard for numerous products to ensure product safety. It is always advised to check that the item you're purchasing has not been recalled, even if it is still listed online.
In summary, leveraging an Amazon baby registry for the completion discount, vigilance against fake reviews, effective use of the cart/wishlist and notifications function, exploration of Amazon Warehouse deals, and prioritizing CPSC-approved items are proven strategies for thriving on Amazon's October Prime Day.