Amazon Shopping Tips Everyone Should Know

We love Amazon for deals on the best workout gear, supplements, and fitness equipment to help you along your wellness journey.

Getty Images

It’s hard to imagine the world before Amazon. About 213 million people visit the site daily for unbeatable sales, unique products, and (of course) that glorious two-day shipping. We love Amazon for deals on the best workout gear, supplements, and fitness equipment to help you along your wellness journey.

To get the scoop on how to shop the best workout, fashion, and lifestyle buys on Amazon, we consulted Eden Lichterman, Associate Commerce Editor and Strategist. Lichterman’s job is to scour the vast offerings of Amazon for the best deals around—and write about them. So we asked her to spill her many secrets. Ready? Here we go.

Make Sure You’re Buying from a Verified Seller

While Amazon offers a bounty of products at great prices, buyer beware: Some sellers on Amazon have bad intentions, and scams and counterfeit products are out there.

When you’re purchasing items, make sure that you only order directly from the Amazon.com website. (Sellers who instruct you to follow a link or order from their website may be trying to scam you.)

• Finding a “verified seller” is yet another way to protect your cash. These sellers’ identities have been verified by Amazon, and, thus, are more likely to be legitimate. If a listing has the “Amazon’s Choice” badge, you can automatically assume that they’re a verified Amazon seller. “Fulfilled by Amazon” is yet another giveaway. 
• That said, you should always consider reading reviews as well. Look for red flags from customers. For example, is a buyer complaining that a food product arrived in a strange bag or box? Is someone complaining that a device stopped working after 30 days of use? All of this data can help you make the right decision about adding an item to your cart (and avoid a pesky return process later). 

What Is an Amazon Verified Review?

A verified review is one that Amazon has investigated and found to be credible. These reviewers have paid the listed price for the item and weren’t incentivized by a discount code or a comped item.

What Is a Third-Party Seller On Amazon?

These independent vendors sell items that are used or refurbished. If you order from a third-party seller, make sure to investigate its return policy. These orders aren’t fulfilled by Amazon, so refunds and returns may be less straightforward than if you ordered through an Amazon Verified vendor.

Why to Shop on Amazon

• According to Lichterman, convenience is the number-one reason shoppers turn to Amazon. “Whether you don’t feel like leaving your house, but you need a big package of toilet paper, or you live in a city, and you don’t have a car, you can order on Amazon and have your items at your house tomorrow. It’s very convenient,” she says.
• Prime members also love Amazon because it makes errand day way easier. Rather than running from store to store, you can simply add everything to your cart and call it a day. Easy.
• Last but certainly not least, Amazon offers daily deals and discounts that you can’t get anywhere else. We talk in-depth about how to find those sales below so you can save some money while shopping for all the gems Amazon has to offer. 

Insider Tips for Scoring the Best Deals on Amazon 

Consider Signing Up for Amazon Prime

Joining Amazon Prime will help you make the most of your time on Amazon. A Prime membership offers express shipping, so you can expect your items to be delivered in as soon as an hour. Prime membership also offers access to exclusive sales (including Amazon Prime Day Sales). It also gives you access to Prime Video (Amazon’s streaming service) as well as Prime Reading (where you can borrow books and magazines for your e-reader).

Prime costs $14.99 a month or $139 per year after a 30-day free trial. Amazon offers discounts to students and qualifying government assistance recipients.

Keep an Eye Out for Amazon Prime Day Sales

Every July and October, Amazon has a massive blowout sale with prices you seriously won’t believe on everything from kitchen appliances to clothes to tech. You must be a Prime member to get access to the seriously-slashed prices, so prepare accordingly.

Use “Try Before You Buy” to Replicate the Dressing Room Feeling at Home

Another great Prime feature, Try Before You Buy, allows you to choose a collection of items and try them on before you decide what to pay for and keep. “It’s essentially a way to have a dressing room at home,” says Lichterman. “Everything is sent to you, and then you send it back. All of it is free, and you’re not paying for anything until you decide that you like it.” Whether you’re on the market for a new pair of sneakers, have a formal occasion on the books, or just want to spice up your athleisure collection, this feature is invaluable.

Shop for Groceries on Amazon

Too busy to go to the grocery store? Use Amazon Fresh or Amazon Whole Foods to order food straight to your door.  Groceries get delivered as soon as five hours after you order.

Check the “Today’s Deals” Tab

Go to Amazon.com/deals to check out brand-new deals every day in every category. As this article is being written

Subscribe and Save 

Amazon Subscribe and Save allows Prime members to save on basics—think toilet paper, shampoo, and protein powder—when they subscribe. To take advantage of subscribe and save, search for a basic (like paper towels) and click on the item you want. On the right sidebar, you’ll see an option to subscribe and save up to 15 percent on that product. You’ll also get to decide how often you want your stock to be replenished. Amazon offers many options from two weeks to six months.

Premium Brands Outlet 

Get ready for another under-the-radar Prime feature. “In the Premium Brands Outlet, you’ll find fashion brands like Paige, Madewell Sam Edelman, Steve Madden, and other brands that you would find at Nordstrom or Bloomingdales. “Everything in the outlet is on sale,” says Lichterman. Beauty lovers should also visit Premium Beauty and Premium Skin Care, both of which offer discounted products such as mascara, foundation, lotion, and retinol from brands you (probably) already love.

Use the Small Business Search Filter

If you love to support smaller retailers, simply search for the item you want and check the box “small business” on the left-hand side. This will filter all the search results so you only see items for mom-and-pop shops.

Use Same-Day or One-Hour Deliveries if You Need Something—and Fast

Let’s say you’re headed out of town tomorrow and need some last-minute toiletries, underwear, or snacks to add to your carry-on. Amazon has you covered with one-hour or same-day deliveries. Simply search for the item you need and select the “same-day” or “one-day” delivery options on the left side.

Get Free Credits With No-Rush Shipping 

If you’re not in a big rush for your new running shorts or the next batch of cat food to be delivered, you can select “no-rush shipping” at checkout to receive Amazon credits. That way, you’ll save on your next order.

Read the original article on Shape.