15 Mistakes We Make When Shopping at Amazon

Amazon has billed itself as the most popular online shopping site. The enormous selection and quick shipping make it the go-to for millions every day.

What started out as a used online bookstore quickly, over the last few decades, has grown into the largest online marketplace. Seriously, there’s almost nothing you can’t find at Amazon.

However, it’s easy to make mistakes when you’re shopping on the site, and some can be costly. Based on my personal experience, here’s what to look out for.

1. Not Taking Advantage of On-Page Coupons

This doesn’t apply to every product on Amazon, but sometimes retailers offer coupons and they’re listed right on the page. In fact, they’re right below the item cost.

Sadly, the retailer doesn’t automatically apply these coupons; it’s up to you to click the box saying you want the discount. But who doesn’t want free savings?

2. Not Using Coupon Code Extensions

Make sure you’re using one of the coupon code extensions in your browser. Honey is probably the most popular one. It automatically searches for coupon codes for savings.

Even if there are no on-page coupons available, Honey is adept at scouring the web to ensure you’re getting the best price. Best of all, it’s free.

3. Not Using the Subscribe & Save Feature

If you find that you’re consistently ordering the same stuff, say toilet paper or cleaning supplies, from Amazon, check and see if there’s a subscribe and save feature for those products. That will allow you to save 5% on your costs and it will ship to you directly at specified intervals, with no further effort on your part needed.

However, if you find that you no longer use them as frequently — or at all — make sure you opt out of the subscription feature to save money.

4. Not Checking Different Options

This one is a doozy. Many people fail to look at the different configurations of a product, such as the size or color. Sometimes, products come in a variety of different colors and not all of them are popular. For this reason, those variations tend to be discounted by a few dollars.

If you find that you don’t care about the exact variation, you can save a few dollars by buying one of the less popular options.

5. Opting for Speed Over Savings

I get it. Amazon is known for delivering products quickly. We’ve become quite spoiled by the two-day delivery, not to mention the overnight or next-day options. But is it always the cheapest?

Sometimes, people are so enthralled by receiving their products quickly that they pay more for the goods themselves to have them in hand faster. If you can wait a few days, or perhaps a week, you can probably find some items cheaper. Convenience can, at times, hurt the wallet.

6. Blindly Trusting Reviews

Reviews on Amazon can be a catch-22. Many of them are bought and paid for, although the ‘Zon has tried to crack down on this practice. That means you should always do your own research, outside of the site.

Check sites like Consumer Reports for specific products and Trustpilot for companies. The more information you have, the better armed you are to make purchasing decisions, especially on large-ticket items.

7. Assuming Two-Day Shipping Means Two Days

We’ve already established that Amazon has speedy shipping, but sometimes, their two-day window doesn’t really mean two days. During the holiday season, for instance, shipping delays can and do happen.

Always give yourself a window of a few days to order items, especially for birthdays and holidays, just in case. If an item has a shipping guarantee, you could be compensated for late deliveries, but that’s not as common today as it was in the past.

8. Not Shopping on Prime Day

Prime Day is like Black Friday in the middle of the year. The three-day event occurs every July. During this time, thousands of products are steeply discounted. The site advertises the deals ahead of time, too, but there are always some surprises.

If there’s an item you’ve had your eye on, and it’s not a critical need, it can be worth waiting for this event to save some money. You do have to be a Prime member for this event, though, hence its name.

9. Not Knowing about or Using “Today’s Deals” Feature

While Prime Day is full of cost-savings, the “Today’s Deals” feature is one that not many people take advantage of. On this page, there are hundreds of deals, including some on large-ticket items that only last 24 hours.

The page also showcases lightning deals, which only last a few hours, at most. You have to be quick on the draw to get those deals, so checking in every few hours is extremely beneficial if you’re looking for an opportunity to save.

10. Not Comparing Prices

Amazon makes it so easy to get just about anything you need, that you might not even be tempted to look elsewhere. That’s a big no-no. Amazon may be convenient, but it doesn’t have a “best price” guarantee.

Before you purchase anything, make sure you’re getting the absolute best price, even if that means you have to wait more than two days for it to show up at your doorstep. In fact, you might even find it’s cheaper at your local stores and you won’t have to wait at all.

11. Impulse Buying

The bane of shoppers everywhere, impulse buying is so common. According to Capital One Shopping, 67% of consumers have admitted to the practice, usually with items on sale.

It can be hard to curb the impulse, but take a second to really think if you need the items in your cart. If the answer is yes, by all means, go ahead and hit that buy button. But if you don’t need it, and it’ll likely find its way to the bottom of a shelf or closet within a few weeks, save yourself the money.

12. Failing To Look at Secret Departments

What? Amazon has secret departments? You betcha! And there are some awesome hidden finds in them, too.

Some secret departments on the website include Most Wished For, Best Sellers, Amazon Renewed which offers refurbished products, and its Outlet where overstock items are available at a reduced cost, up to 70% off.

13. Not Using Amazon Resale

Amazon Resale, formerly known as Amazon Warehouse, is another great place to find deals in the marketplace. It offers pre-owned and used items, as well as open-box products.

You can find nearly all the same categories with a selection of goods. You might need to wade through the items, but consider it an adventure.

14. Not Capitalizing With Credit Cards

Credit cards can actually help you save money when you shop on Amazon. For instance, applying for and using the Amazon Prime Rewards card will give you cash back on your purchases.

Sometimes, other merchants, like Chase offer cash-back savings for shopping at online marketplaces, and Amazon has been among them. Make sure you’re looking at the perks of using your card — and that you pay off the balance to avoid added interest fees.

15. Failing To Read Return Policies

Sometimes, the items you get aren’t exactly what you expect. It’s happened to me more times than I care to admit, but that’s the risk you take shopping on the largest online platform. Understanding the return policies is critical to save you time and frustration.

Amazon details its return policy in each listing, so be sure to take the time to read and make sure that if you absolutely hate something, you can send it back. The good news is the company is usually awesome at accepting returns. I’ve never run into an issue that wasn’t my own fault.