10 Amazon Shopping Hacks You Wish You Knew Sooner
Online shopping on Amazon is practically a national pastime – but are you getting the best deals every time? If you’ve ever wondered how some shoppers always seem to snag the lowest prices, you’re in luck. Here are 10 game-changing Amazon shopping hacks that will help you save money, find hidden discounts, and score perks you didn’t even know existed. Grab a cup of coffee and get ready to become an Amazon savings pro!
1. Clip Coupons & Hunt for Promo Codes
Believe it or not, Amazon has its own coupons section and many items have clickable coupons on their product pages. Always check if a little checkbox coupon is available – clipping it can knock a few extra bucks off at checkout. Additionally, keep an eye out for promo codes that sellers share for their products. These codes can give you huge discounts (sometimes 50%+ off) if you enter them at checkout. Deal websites like YesWeCoupon often update lists of current Amazon promo offers, so doing a quick search can pay off. Before you buy, do a last-minute scan for any available Amazon promo codes – it’s one of the easiest ways to score a surprise discount without any extra effort.
2. Use Price Tracker Tools for Price Drops
Prices on Amazon fluctuate constantly – don’t pull the trigger on a purchase when you can let a tool do the price-watching for you. Set up alerts with price tracker tools like CamelCamelCamel or Keepa. These handy websites and browser extensions track the price history of millions of Amazon products. You can see if the current price is high or low compared to the past, and even get email notifications when the price drops to your target range. This way, you’ll never miss a price drop on that TV or laptop in your cart. Bonus hack: Amazon tends to match prices from other retailers, so price trackers will alert you if a competing store’s sale makes Amazon lower its price too.
3. Maximize Subscribe & Save Discounts
If you regularly buy certain items (think vitamins, pet food, diapers, coffee pods), leverage Amazon’s Subscribe & Save program for automatic discounts. Subscribe & Save lets you schedule repeat deliveries (monthly, bi-monthly, etc.) and gives you at least 5% off – and up to 15% off if you have five or more subscriptions in one delivery. The best part? You’re not locked in. Many shoppers subscribe to get the discount on an order, then cancel or adjust the subscription later. To supercharge this hack, look for items that also have an extra coupon for the first delivery. Stacking a one-time coupon with the Subscribe & Save discount can lead to huge savings (as much as 50+% off). It’s a great way to stock up on household essentials for less.
4. Shop Amazon Warehouse for Open-Box Bargains
Amazon Warehouse is the retailer’s treasure trove of open-box and pre-owned items offered at deep discounts. These are often products that were returned by other customers or had damaged packaging, but are still in good or like-new condition. You might find a laptop, kitchen appliance, or book at a fraction of the price just because the box was opened. All Amazon Warehouse items are graded (Like New, Very Good, etc.) and backed by Amazon’s return policy, so you can shop with confidence. To browse these deals, visit the Amazon Warehouse section and search for what you need. You’ll be surprised at the variety of products available. From electronics to toys, Amazon Warehouse deals let you snag virtually new items at used prices – one of the best hacks for big savings.
5. Browse Amazon Outlet for Clearance Finds
Tucked away on the site is Amazon Outlet, which features overstock and clearance items across all categories. Think of it as Amazon’s clearance rack. Here you’ll find brand-new products marked down to move: last season’s styles, older models, or excess inventory that Amazon needs to clear out. Prices in the Outlet can be 50% off or more, so it’s absolutely worth a look. To access Amazon Outlet, you can navigate through the menu (under “All Programs” on the site) or simply search for “Amazon Outlet” on Google. Once you’re there, filter by category or discount percentage to find the best deals. Savvy shoppers check the Outlet regularly for new additions – you never know when that high-end kitchen gadget or popular toy will show up at a steep discount.
6. Pounce on Lightning Deals and Daily Deals
Ever notice those countdown timers on some Amazon deals? Those are Lightning Deals – limited-time, limited-stock promotions that often feature heavily discounted prices. They’re found on the Today’s Deals page and typically run for a few hours (or until they sell out). To make the most of Lightning Deals, browse the deals-of-the-day each morning and throughout the day. If you see something you want, act fast – add it to your cart because there’s a time limit to check out. Prime members get 30-minute early access to many Lightning Deals, which is a nice perk if you have Prime. You can also join the Waitlist if a deal is 100% claimed; you’ll get a notification if more stock becomes available. Don’t forget, the Today’s Deals section also includes Deal of the Day (24-hour big discounts) and Best Deals (longer-running sales). By checking these sections regularly, you can snag everything from electronics to home goods at great prices. Staying alert on Amazon Lightning Deals is an easy hack that can save you a bundle on hot items – just be ready to jump on the deal when it goes live!
7. Earn Free Amazon Gift Cards and Credits
What’s better than saving money? Getting stuff free on Amazon! There are several ways to earn Amazon credit that you can spend on purchases. One popular method is using survey and reward apps (like Swagbucks, InboxDollars, or Microsoft Rewards) which let you redeem points for Amazon gift cards. It might take a bit of time, but those gift cards can add up to essentially free spending money on Amazon. Another hack: Trade in old electronics, books, or video games through Amazon’s Trade-In program – you’ll get Amazon gift card credit in return, and often a bonus credit during special promotions. Also, watch out for Amazon’s occasional promos like “Reload $100, get $10 bonus” on your gift card balance for using a debit card, or sign-up bonuses for the Amazon Prime Visa card (which can be a $50-$150 gift card upon approval). Lastly, if you’re a Prime member, choose no-rush shipping when you’re not in a hurry – Amazon sometimes rewards you with a small digital credit ($1-3 for eBooks, music, etc.) as a thanks. Stack up those credits! By combining reward programs and Amazon’s own bonus offers, you can effectively shop for free or subsidize your orders with earned credits – a satisfying hack for any deal hunter.
8. Find Hidden Clearance Deals with Smart Searches
Not all deals are obvious on Amazon’s main pages. To uncover hidden bargains, you sometimes have to think like a deal hunter in your searches. One trick is to use specific keywords when searching for products. Terms like “clearance,” “discount,” “sale,” “overstock,” or “refurbished” can help surface products that are deeply discounted or being cleared out. For example, searching “laptop clearance” might show models with hefty markdowns. Another pro tip: manually tweak the search URL to filter by discount percentage. After searching for an item, look at the URL bar – you can add a parameter like &pct-off=50- to see only items 50% off or more (you can change the number to 30, 70, etc. for different thresholds). It’s a bit of a secret sauce, but it works like magic for finding deals Amazon isn’t actively highlighting. You can also browse deal forums for “Amazon glitch” deals – occasionally, price errors or coupon stack glitches happen, and those in the know can capitalize before Amazon fixes them. The key is to explore beyond the standard search results. With a little creativity in how you search, you’ll uncover hidden clearance deals that most shoppers miss.
9. Check Other Sellers for Lower Prices
When you’re on an Amazon product page, the big yellow “Add to Cart” button usually corresponds to the price from Amazon or a major seller. But right below that, you might see a link for “Other sellers on Amazon” – click it! Often, the exact same product is available new (or used) from third-party sellers at different prices. Sometimes a third-party seller might list the item a few dollars cheaper, or they might offer a coupon on the listing. This is especially true for items where Amazon’s price is being undercut by marketplace competition. Always scroll down to the “New & Used from $X” section to compare. You might find a warehouse deal, an open-box, or just a smaller seller with a better price. Just check the seller’s ratings and the shipping options – many small sellers ship via Amazon FBA, so Prime shipping still applies. By taking a moment to compare other sellers’ offers, you can often save money on the exact same product. It’s a simple hack that can make a big difference, especially on more expensive items.
10. Follow Deal Sites and Communities for Alerts
Want a shortcut to all of these savings? Leverage the power of the crowd. Join or follow dedicated deal sites and communities that scour Amazon (and the rest of the internet) for the latest discounts. Websites like Slickdeals, DealNews, and YesWeCoupon (of course!) constantly post and update deals, promo codes, and tips. You can set up custom alerts on Slickdeals for keywords (e.g., “Amazon” or a specific product name