Financial expert Martin Lewis has issued a warning to customers ahead of Amazon Prime Day, which kicks off at one minute past midnight on Tuesday, July 16, and runs until the end of Wednesday, July 17. The two-day sale event is renowned for offering significant discounts on a wide range of items, including air fryers, headphones, games, fitness kits, and Amazon tech products like Kindles, Echos, and Ring doorbells.
However, Lewis cautions shoppers to be aware of pricing tactics that may not always be as advantageous as they seem. In the UK, laws mandate that a product must be listed at a given price for at least 28 days in the previous six months before it can be sold at an advertised lower sale price. This regulation aims to prevent retailers from artificially inflating prices only to cut them for a so-called ‘sale.
How to Spot Genuine Deals
Lewis advises consumers to verify how long Amazon’s products have been at their full price and whether they have been cheaper before the sale. One useful tool is CamelCamelCamel, a website that tracks Amazon’s price history for any given item.
Martin Lewis‘ MoneySavingExpert (MSE) Tips:
MSE has highlighted the importance of using CamelCamelCamel to distinguish real deals from less attractive ones. For example, MSE found a Breville Barista coffee machine listed as “38% off” at £350, but the same item was priced at £301 in February this year. This site can help consumers determine whether a deal is genuinely beneficial or if the item was cheaper before the Prime Day sale.
Changes to Delivery Prices
Lewis also reminds customers of recent changes to Amazon’s delivery policies. In June, Amazon increased the threshold for free delivery from £25 to £35 for non-Prime members. To avoid delivery charges, shoppers can add a very cheap item (some start at 22p) to their basket to exceed the £35 threshold, thus saving £3-5 on delivery costs. Alternatively, customers can sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime and cancel it before it renews
