[2018]: Save Money On Amazon, Top 25 Rank Ordered Tips
So few of us know how to save money on Amazon, because we think we’re getting the best deal.
We hope to catch the best Amazon deals at random, and rarely put much thought into it.
Our tips will show you have to save money on Amazon, and 5% on nearly every place you shop online or offline!
But there are actually several ways to save money on Amazon that are also pretty simple.
These range from using apps and Chrome extensions to using Amazon’s own services.
Using these tricks saved me nearly 50% on Amazon purchases last month, and I didn’t have to put forth much effort.
If you are searching for ways to save money on Amazon, then keep reading!
1. Price tracking with camelcamelcamel:
Here’s how it works.
First install The Camelizer for Chrome.
Whenever you go to a product page on Amazon, click the camelcamelcamel icon on your browser and it will automatically bring up the price history of the product since it was first posted on Amazon.
Tracking a product’s price fluctuations can give you a sense of whether you’re paying too much or getting a bargain.
But the real camelcamelamel money saver is its price-watching tool.
Simply enter the desired discount on a given item, and camelcamelcamel will notify you when the item has reached your desired price.
One of my friends recently used camelcamelcamel to save $500 on a fancy Sony lens. It’s currently $1,889 on Amazon, but he nabbed it when it went down to $1,499.
Check out the price history below. We all know airliners change their prices often, but few know how frequency Amazon changes their prices.
To further prove the point, take a look at one of the best selling monitors on Amazon.
To save money on this monitor on Amazon on June 28th, all you’d have to do is wait a day.
There are more tricks.
2. Compare before you buy with Wikibuy:
Here’s a scenario we all know well.
After buying something on Amazon on an impulse, you find that you could have gotten the item at a significantly discounted price on another website.
Amazon has become such a beast of an online marketplace that a lot of shoppers neglect to do price comparisons, especially impulse buyers like me.
However, if you download the Wikibuy extension, you can automatically see if Amazon is offering the lowest price or not.
The process is simple:
- Sign up and install the free Chrome extension.
- Go to any product page on Amazon.
Wikibuy will automatically scan the internet to see if it can find deals that beat Amazon’s price.
If Wikibuy finds a better price elsewhere, it shows you how to buy the item on another site. Easy, easy, easy.
I impulse buy a lot, so Wikibuy has been a big help for me. For example, Wikibuy found this Fitbit for $41 less than the listed price on Amazon. What a bargain!
3. Find Awesome Coupons With Honey:
When I ask people how to save money on Amazon, they tell me that sometimes they search for coupons and promo codes.
But more often than not, they say this ends up being a total waste of time.
The truth is, a lot of websites that claim to have Amazon coupons are outdated or fraudulent. If you’re lucky enough to find a coupon that actually works, chances are good that the item you want is ineligible.
Enter Honey.
Honey is an extension that relieves you of the burden of doing a coupon search by automatically scouring the web and applying coupon codes at checkout for you. You save money with the coupon and save your time by allowing Honey to apply them for you automatically all at once.
All you have to do is install the extension, then, each time you are at an Amazon checkout page, just click. If there are any applicable coupons, Honey will apply them for you. Bingo! Big savings.
4. Use Trim to Fight for a Price Adjustment Refund:
Another scenario that we all know well: Amazon announces a massive discount on something you recently purchased.
A few weeks ago, I bought a TV for full price, but if I had purchased it two weeks later, I could have saved 70%. How was I supposed to know?
Plus, unless the purchase is within 7 days of the price adjustment, Amazon will not issue a refund.
Even if they do, Amazon often makes you return the product and buy it again to recover your savings. You’re now stuck with a full price TV, while so many others (who waited a week to buy) reap the benefit of a discount.
Services like Paribus are great for price protection on many websites, but when working directly with Amazon all you can hope for is a refund of shipping fees.
Enter Trim.
Full-price people, meet Trim, an AI-powered personal finance advisor that can fight on your behalf for a price adjustment refund.
The tool is so smart, it knows how to save money on Amazon for you!
Trim is easy to use.
The credit card you used for your Amazon purchase likely has a feature called “price protection,” which entitles you to a refund if the item’s price is reduced anytime in a 90 day period.
Trim will file a price adjustment claim to your credit card company on your behalf. Once your claim is approved, you’ll receive a refund of the difference between the two prices, less Trim’s 25% commission.
Some people say that 25% is pretty steep, but in my opinion, it’s better than getting no price adjustment at all.
To get started, all you have to do is
- Sign up for Trim.
- Link Trim to Facebook Messenger or SMS.
- Connect it with your bank.
Now all you have to do is tell Trim you were overcharged on an item, and it will fight for you!
If you signup for price alerts after you buy an item with Honey or camelcamelcamel you can easily know when an item’s price changes, text Trim, and they’ll take care of the rest.
5. Get A 5% Off Credit Card to Save Money on Amazon
This trick will instantly save you 5% off anything on Amazon or Whole Foods so long as you are an Amazon Prime member.
That also means 5% off Southwest flights, Lyft rides, AirBnBs, Nordstroms, Starbucks, movie tickets, and more when you buy gift cards with your 5% off Amazon Credit card. There’s more too…
- Big Gift Card Brands on Amazon
- Top Selling Brands (with digital delivery, also pictured)
- All Gift Card Options
You have two options to save money on Amazon with a credit card.
First, the Amazon Store Card.
You get 5% back on this card, which usually comes in a few weeks as a statement credit or points. Or you can opt for 0% financing for 6, 12, or 24 months instead of 5% (you choose at checkout).
This card is nice if you want your savings fast (1–2 weeks, applied directly as savings to your balance) and don’t spend a lot on Amazon. Payment reconciliation is often slow and the card generally offers lower credit amounts than your other option.
Or, go with the Chase Amazon Rewards Card.
You get 5% back as points at the end of your billing cycle.
Points can be used for purchases on Amazon.com, to buy gift cards, for travel, or cash back. Chase card payments post faster, offer higher credit limits, and
Chase provides much better customer support than the folks behind the Amazon Store Card. If you don’t need your rewards right away, the Chase card is likely your best bet.
Cool Simple Secrets to Save Money on Amazon
6. Filter Your Own Search Results:
This is a powerful trick I use to find unbelievable deals on Amazon — without third-party help.
By modifying the URL of an Amazon search, you can filter your results according to the discount you desire.
All you have to do is add “&pct-off=##-” to the end of the URL, and Amazon will return search results for items with the desired discount. If I wanted to search for laptops that are reduced 50%, I just add &pct-off=50- to this url:
So…
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=laptop
Becomes…
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=laptop&pct-off=50-
Presto! Amazon shows me all laptops priced 50% off of the original price.
7. The Old Double Browser Trick:
If you are a Prime member, Amazon might try to charge you a little extra in order to make up for the free two-day shipping they provide Prime members.
This a bit deceptive of Amazon, but there is a simple way to make sure you are not paying that slightly higher price.
Just open Amazon on your computer, and log in as a Prime subscriber. Then open a new browser (or use your smartphone), and go to Amazon without logging in.
You can also do this by opening an Incognito window in Chrome or turning on Private Browsing in Safari or Firefox.
On the device logged into Prime, load the product you want, making note of the price. On the device not logged into Prime, check the same product and see if the price matches.
If the price is more expensive for Prime members, simply add the product to your non-member cart and then log onto Amazon from that cart. The price should fix itself.
Use Amazon’s Own Services
8. Amazon Outlet
Amazon provides an online outlet for items on the tail end of their lifecycle. It isn’t uncommon to find incredible products for up to 90% off.
For example, I bought a pair of SENSO headphones that were originally priced $170. At Amazon’s outlet, they were $22.47. That’s a whopping 87% discount!
Important side note: deals change every day. If you see something you like at the outlet site, act fast. Who knows if it will be there tomorrow!
9. Amazon Coupon Page:
While Honey is great at finding coupons for you, it only works on the checkout page.
It’s a great extension when you know what you want, but if you are just trying to browse for great deals, I recommend checking out the Amazon Coupon store.
At the coupon store, Amazon shows every available coupon on a given day, which is great for bargain shoppers.
I usually look at this page even before I open the main Amazon page, just to get an idea of what’s happening on the site.
If you find a coupon for an item you like, all you have to do is copy the code provided and apply it at checkout. Since the website is run by Amazon, the coupon codes are guaranteed to work.
10. Amazon Subscribe and Save:
If you find yourself buying the same things week after week, it’s a great idea to sign up for Amazon’s Subscribe and Save program.
This program offers subscriptions to products that you buy regularly and rewards you with a 15% discount as thanks for your loyalty.
You also get free shipping on any product you are subscribed to, saving you even more money every time you shop on Amazon.
11. Today’s Deals
The types of items on this page include “today’s deals”, “lightning deals”, “savings and sales”, etc.
Each item has a timer indicating how much longer the deal is available. Today’s deals are usually available for 24 hours.
Lightning deals are for shorter periods of time (it varies by item). You can also “watch a deal” so that you receive notifications telling you when the deal starts and how much stock is remaining.
You should also download the Amazon Shopping app because there are special deals that are only featured and available on in-app purchases.
12. Amazon Trade-In
Trade-in old textbooks, appliances, electronics, etc. for Amazon credit or a gift card.
Amazon will only accept specific items for trade-in.
You must search for your item and check the estimated value that Amazon is offering. If you decide to trade-in your item, you must ship your item to Amazon (which is free) before receiving credit.
On the Trade-In homepage, Amazon will feature some of the past items that you have purchased along with the estimated amount of credit that you can possibly receive for sending them back.
13. Amazon Warehouse Deals
Amazon Warehouse Deals include discounted, certified refurbished items. This is a great way to save money because you are purchasing used or open-box items (including electronics, home appliances, etc.) that Amazon is guaranteeing to be in great shape!
14. “Amazon Promotions”
While shopping, be on the look-out for special promotions on items that you are already buying or intending to buy.
For example, a promotion might say something like, “buy $20 in movie snacks and receive a free movie for download”. Amazon also sends emails about these promotions to its Prime members, so watch for them!
15. Amazon Kindle Deals
Every Amazon Prime membership includes thousands of free “prime” books, magazines, and audiobooks for download.
These downloadable items are indicated with the “prime” logo. You do not actually need a kindle to access and download “prime reading”.
The Kindle reading app is available for download on smartphones and computers.
If you do have a Kindle and an active Prime membership, the Kindle Owner’s Lending Library is an awesome resource to take advantage of so that you can save money on book purchases.
There are around 800,000 books available for temporary download to your Kindle (with no due date or fees).
In addition, Prime members receive first access and free downloads for featured, just-released books.
Each month, Amazon features “Kindle First” books that are available for free download until the end of the month. Usually, you have the option to select 1 out of 2–3 Kindle First books to download.
Typically, these books are written by newer and lesser-known authors — but I have downloaded and read Kindle First books that have ended-up becoming national bestsellers!
16. Amazon Family
If there is a demographic that should know how to save money on Amazon, it should be parents.
We all know kids are expensive. Parents trying to figure out how to save money on Amazon would do well to enroll in Amazon Family.
The program is similar to Subscribe and Save, but with even more savings. Amazon Family gives parents a 20% discount on diaper subscriptions and access to other baby, kid, and family-related discounts.
Amazon Family is free for all Prime members after you create an attached account for your child.
Pro-tip, you can also share your Prime benefits with your significant other. Save money on Amazon — Don’t double pay!
*Amazon Prime For Low-Income Households
Low-income household receiving governmental assistance can purchase Amazon Prime at a reduced rate.
You must have an active EBT or Medicaid card issued by your state to sign-up for this reduced rate. Amazon Prime is $5.99/month for low-income people (in comparison to the average price of $10.99/month).
17. Amazon Student Prime
If you are a college student, then you should sign-up for Amazon Prime because many students buy and rent their textbooks off of Amazon (Amazon usually has the best deals on textbooks).
At first, college students receive a free 6-month trial of Prime. Then, you can purchase prime for 50% off the typical annual price, which is an awesome deal!
18. No Rush Shipping
If you already have Amazon Prime, but are not in a rush to receive your order, then you can opt for “no rush shipping” at check-out.
Each time you use no rush shipping, you will receive a $1 credit to your account that can be used for select purchases of digital items (ex. downloadable books, movies, games, etc.).
With no rush shipping, you can expect your order to arrive within 6 business days. Amazon often changes these deals, sometimes allowing you to get even more $$$ in promotional credit for different Amazon.com sections, like fashion or beauty.
19. AmazonSmile
This is sorta a way to save money because you can shop and donate to your favorite charities for no extra cost! You must visit and shop on Amazon through AmazonSmile.
Every time you shop through AmazonSmile, 0.5% of your purchase goes to a nonprofit organization of your choice (you can choose from over 1 million nonprofit organizations that are currently registered with AmazonSmile).
Just change your URL to smile.amazon.com and you’ll be helping a charity!
20. Leave Those Items in Your Cart!
Sometimes (this does not always work), if you add items to your cart and just let them sit there for a few days, Amazon might email you with a discount that can be used if you check-out.
You must be signed into your Amazon account and leave the items sitting in your cart for the chance of this happening. A lot of online retailers other than Amazon actually do this, too.
Bonus Ways to Save Money on Amazon…
21. Sign up for Mypoints
Here is a cool bonus: Sign up for Mypoints and they will give you six points for every dollar you spend on Amazon products.
That can rack up a lot of points that can be applied to additional Amazon savings. You’ll also get a $10 gift card for Amazon after your first purchase. Sign up here.
22. ShopKick
ShopKick is a smartphone app, which you can use to earn points that are redeemable for an Amazon Gift Card.
Also, if you visit Amazon through the ShopKick app, you will receive special discounts and rewards you for your purchases.
23. Ibotta
Ibotta is another shopping smartphone app (similar to ShopKick). This application allows you to earn points while buying items that you already intend to buy, like groceries (note: points are only awarded for purchasing items/brands specified in-app).
Then, you can redeem the points that you have earned for an Amazon gift card.
24. Amazon Mechanical Turk
MTurk allows you to search for and complete small tasks that require human intelligence (ex. information gathering, data analysis, video/image processing, etc.).
If you complete the task on-time and your work is approved by the task creator, then you will be paid for your work. The money you earn is redeemable for an Amazon gift card. This is a cool way to save money on Amazon.
25. Ebates
If you shop on Amazon through the Ebates page, you can earn up to 3% cash back on most categories.
In addition, Ebates offers special deals and coupons for Amazon to its members.
Finally: Purse, of course!
The best part is that many of these tips are stacking benefits (like camelcamelcamel) on top of Purse. As always, though, you can save 5–33% on everything on Amazon when you buy with Bitcoin on Purse.io.
Wow, You Read It All…
As a thank you for reading, here’s $10 on Purse after your first purchase when you signup to Purse below.
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