WIRED is known for its coverage of legitimately good deals throughout the year, and this includes the highly anticipated Prime Day event. If you want to find those great discounts on your own, follow the tips below.
One of the most important aspects of determining the quality of a discount is researching the item’s price. Don’t be fooled by deceptive marketing language and inflated MSRP prices. Take a few moments to do your own research. A simple step is to Google the items you’re considering so you can compare prices across multiple stores.
To make your price research even easier, you can use tools like Camelcamelcamel and Keepa. Camelcamelcamel tracks Amazon’s prices over time. Just paste the Amazon link or ASIN into their search bar, and you’ll see the item’s lowest recorded price, average price, and how often the price fluctuates. This tool is especially helpful in determining whether the current deal is worth it by comparing it to the item’s past prices. Keepa, on the other hand, has an extension that shows the recent price history for products directly on the Amazon page, eliminating the need to open a new tab.
It’s worth mentioning that these services may not work all the time, but they can be helpful in giving you an idea of the product’s price right before the sale started. Combining these tools can help you make an informed decision about whether a deal is worth your money. It’s important to note that WIRED always fact-checks deals to determine their quality. You can check out their ongoing deals coverage to find roundups of the best discounts available, both during Prime Day and throughout the year.
Now, let’s talk about Lightning Deals. These are limited-time deals that Amazon runs for only a few hours. While they are not restricted to Prime Day, they are especially prevalent during big sales events. Lightning Deals often consist of impulse buys, such as makeup and skincare products or toys. Prime members can browse upcoming deals on Amazon’s website and mobile app. The app can also notify you before a Lightning Deal begins. WIRED will be sharing some of their favorite Lightning Deals in a live blog during the event, so be sure to check it out.
To address the issue of deals quickly selling out, Amazon has launched an invite-only deals program for Prime Day. Prime members can request an invitation for high-demand items expected to sell out. If selected, you’ll receive a notification on Prime Day on how to buy the product at the deal price. However, this feature is only available on select products. For example, the Amazon 4K Fire TV is part of this program. On the product page, you’ll find a “Request Invite” button that gives you a chance to buy it at the sale price. Keep in mind that there’s no guarantee you’ll be invited, but it’s worth a try.
If you want to ensure that a deal doesn’t sell out before you get a chance to purchase it, there are a few strategies you can employ. First, pay close attention to the product page around the starting time of the deal. You may also be able to add the item to your cart before the sale begins, so you can quickly refresh the page and snag it right away. Additionally, if you use the Amazon Shopping app, you can set up personalized deal alerts to be notified when items you’ve recently searched for are on sale. This feature is available exclusively to Prime members.
To make the checkout process as fast as possible, it’s wise to create an account at trusted retailers ahead of time. This allows you to save your credit card information and shipping details, streamlining the process. It’s also a good idea to clear your web browser cache before you start shopping during sales events like Prime Day. This can help prevent any technical glitches that may occur and ensure a smooth shopping experience. Just remember to log back into those retailers after clearing your cache.
By following these tips and using the available tools, you can navigate Prime Day and find the best discounts for your desired items. Remember to stay vigilant in researching prices and be prepared to act fast when a deal catches your eye. Happy shopping!