6 Tricks Long‑Time Amazon Prime Members Use To Keep Annual Spending Low
Amazon Prime can be a good value, but it can also make it easy to spend more than you planned. With factors like fast checkout and shipping, you may buy things you would have skipped if it weren’t so convenient.
Savvy Prime members have a few tricks to keep annual spending in check. Here’s what you should know.
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1. Choose No-Rush Shipping
Fast shipping is one of the main reasons people pay for Prime. However, if you don’t need an item right away, no-rush shipping may give you a small digital credit.
Mendy Perlman, founder of Web Hosting Services and an Amazon Prime member for more than eight years, said he uses no-rush shipping whenever he’s not in a hurry.
“Amazon deposits a digital credit into my account, usually $1 to $3 per order,” he said. “If you order from Amazon twice a week, you can get anywhere from $8 to $24 worth of free digital items a month, and you don't have to do anything special."
2. Check Amazon Resale Before Buying New
Perlman explained that Amazon Resale includes used, open-box and pre-owned products shipped by Amazon, all of which can be returned within 30 days. By buying these products, you can save up to 50%, according to Save The Student. He said it’s important not to skip a “Used - Like New” listing.
“That is often a product someone returned because they changed their mind, not because there was a defect,” Perlman explained.
Always verify the product's condition before buying. Amazon Resale assigns one of four evaluations to each item: Like New, Very Good, Good or Acceptable. A damaged box for a “Like New” item may not matter, but missing parts on a “Very Good” item or visible wear on a “Good” item might not be worth the savings.
3. Use a Wishlist Instead of Buying Right Away
Alexander Ketter, a consumer savings expert at Coupons.com, said Prime’s convenience can tempt shoppers to prioritize speed over checking whether they can find a better deal elsewhere.
One way to avoid that is to add nonessential items to a wishlist instead of buying them right away, Ketter said. He added that doing so gives shoppers time to consider whether they really want the product.
Then, if they still want it, they can purchase during a major sale event, such as Prime Day or Black Friday, he recommended.
4. Use Subscribe & Save for Items You Already Buy
Ketter said many shoppers buy day-to-day products on Amazon, including toiletries, cleaning products and pet food. He noted that Subscribe & Save can be useful if you use it for products you buy regularly. Shoppers can save 5% to 15% with this strategy, per USA Today.
However, he explained that it’s important to review your subscriptions periodically. Otherwise, he said, you may keep paying for items you no longer use or already have enough of.
5. Compare Prices Before Checking Out
Ketter said that although people often assume Amazon offers the lowest price, that’s not always true. He added that a quick price comparison can show whether another retailer offers a better deal.
This strategy is especially important for more expensive purchases. Before buying a large appliance or a high-quality laptop, search for the exact product name or model number at a few stores to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
6. Use the Prime Benefits You Already Pay for
Ketter said shoppers should make sure they are taking advantage of the benefits included with Prime before paying for separate services. He gave the following examples of benefits Prime members may have: Prime Video, Prime Music and Grubhub+.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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