Ordering things you need (and finding things you didn’t even know you needed!) is so easy using the Amazon website and their app. Shopping on Amazon is such a great option for times when you’re not able to leave the house or you need things quickly.
Shopping on Amazon
If you’ve been on Amazon before, you know that there’s an endless supply of things to be found there. Whether you’re gathering ideas for an upcoming trip, party, or new home or trying to shop for a loved one for their birthday or a holiday, you’ll be able to find something for them on Amazon. Sometimes it can be a little tricky to find what you’re looking for or let people know what you’re wishing for. These tips for shopping on Amazon will help you make your shopping (and planning) experience so much easier!
What’s on Amazon
Like I said, you can find almost anything you want when you’re shopping on Amazon. Find what you’re looking for by doing a quick search in the search bar at the top of the page. You can also shop by category if you click on the three lines in the top left of the page. Once you’ve asked Amazon to search, you can scroll through the results to find the product that best meets your needs.
Getting Started Shopping on Amazon
You’ll want to set up an Amazon account if you’ll be shopping on Amazon. It’s free to set up an account and you’ll only need minimal information to get started. There are also membership options as well (Amazon Prime for example) that we’ll talk about later that are available for an additional fee.
Setting up a list while shopping on Amazon
Have a birthday coming up? Moving into a new house? Just find some things you like and want to save until later? That’s where a list will come in handy! On your computer, you can hover over where it says “Account and Lists”. This will bring up a menu to help you navigate to an existing list or create a new list. on the app, tap the three lines in the top left of the screen and touch “Your Lists” to go to your lists.
To create your list, select Create List from the menu of options. This will ask you some questions about what kind of list you’ll be creating. You’ll also be asked to name your list. If you miss this step, don’t worry! I’m going to share how to change the name.
While you’re shopping, you might find multiple things. Things that will work for your child’s birthday, an upcoming trip, or just things you’d like to have or purchase some day. By setting up multiple lists, you’ll be able to keep things organized. You can then share gift ideas for your child’s birthday with family and friends for them to purchase gifts if they’d like to (keep reading for sharing help). You’re able to set up as many lists as you’d like and you’ll have the option to make your lists public or private.
Changing the name of your list and making edits
After you’ve set up your list, you might realize it needs a more clear name. By navigating to your list (see directions above), you’ll be able to make edits to your list set up as needed. Click on the three dots next to “More” in the top right corner and choose “Manage List” from the menu.
Here is where you can edit the name of your list and any other information. If any changes are made, be sure to click on the save button at the bottom of the window to save those changes.
Sharing your wish list
At the top right of the screen, click the “Send List to Others” option.
You’ll then be asked if you want to share your list as a view only or view and edit. If you’re setting up a list for an event and want multiple people to be able to add things to the list, you’ll want to choose the view and edit option. When you’re just sharing your list for people to make purchases, you’ll select the view only option. You’ll be given several options for sharing your list. The easiest way is to copy the link and share that link with whoever needs it.
It’s very important if you’re sharing your list for people to shop from that you’ve selected to share your address with third parties. This does NOT mean you’re sharing your address. What will happen is the person purchasing a gift for you will see your first and last name associated with your Amazon account and your city and state. They’ll need to select that address during the checkout process to make sure the gift comes to you and not them.
This is also where you can select “Don’t spoil my surprises”. By selecting this option, Amazon will keep even the purchased items on your list so you won’t know what’s been purchased until it arrives. If you truly want to be surprised, this is a good option to select. The downside to having this option selected means items will remain on your list so you could receive duplicate items.
Finding the Right Product
Because of the vast number of things available on Amazon, sometimes it can be hard to know which one is best for you. Amazon uses a star rating system and allows people to also leave real reviews. Reading through these reviews can be very helpful while shopping on Amazon to make sure that you’re getting exactly what you need. One very helpful thing you can do is to leave reviews for products you purchase to help other Amazon shoppers.
As you’re looking at the product information, Amazon also recommends related products and shares what other users actually purchased to help you make your decision.
Tracking Prices
Just like any other retailer, prices tend to vary. Anyone can become an Amazon seller so there are many different “stores” all in one place when you’re shopping on Amazon. Because of this, there can be the same item at several different price points. You’ll want to review each item to make the best decision for your purchase.
When you’re making a bigger purchase or trying to get the most bang for your buck (who’s not these days?), using a list can help to keep track of price fluctuation. An update will show up on your list if prices have dropped (there’s not currently a notification if they increase).
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One site you can use when you’re shopping on Amazon to help track prices is Camelcamelcamel. It’s a free price tracker. Once you enter the link to the product from Amazon (you can also search by keyword or name of the product), you’ll be able to see a price history for the item. You can even have updates emailed to you if you would like that option.
Checking other stores (Target, Walmart, etc)
Before purchasing on Amazon, it’s still smart to check other retailers. Sites like Target and Walmart will also ship orders and sometimes they can get an item to you (either shipping to you or the store) quicker than Amazon. Their prices may also be more affordable instead of shopping on Amazon. A little research can save you some money.
Amazon Assistant
Amazon Assistant is a free tool available to you that can help you monitor price changes among other things. You’ll also be able to compare products with this tool and get help tracking your purchases.
Shipping
When shopping on Amazon, you’ll see that most items have free shipping with Amazon Prime. This means that (usually) you’ll receive your item within two days and the shipping cost is included with your membership.
Prime
Don’t have Amazon Prime? You can sign up for a free 30 day trial <<insert PRIME link here>>. If you decide to continue your membership, you can pay the membership either monthly or annually. Make sure to set a reminder in your phone or on your calendar to cancel your free trial before the expiration date so you can cancel if you need to.
In addition to the free shipping costs on thousands of items, you’ll also have access to tv shows and movies, music, and lots of other members only services.
Sending a gift
When purchasing a gift for someone after shopping on Amazon, you need to purchase from that person’s list or have their address. Many items also include the option to have a gift receipt included so you can add a short note to the recipient.
If you’re purchasing from someone’s Amazon list, items in your cart will be marked that they’re from the recipients wish list.
At checkout, you’ll need to select that you’re shipping to multiple addresses for the recipient’s address to show up as an address for you to select. You’ll be prompted to pick the correct address from a drop down menu.
If the recipient hasn’t selected to share their addresses with third parties, you’ll receive an error and be prompted to select and address or enter a new one. You’ll also need to manually enter the recipient’s address if you’re not shopping from their list.
Once the proper addresses have been entered or selected, you’ll proceed with checkout like you normally would when shopping on Amazon.
Gifting Something Not on the List
Find something else the recipient would like while browsing on Amazon but it’s not on their list? Once you’ve put something from their list into your cart, their address will be available to select when shipping regardless of if the item’s on their list or not.
Earning Rewards
Even shopping on Amazon, you can still find ways to save even more money. Sometime you’ll find items with electronic coupons. By clicking the box before you add the item to your cart, you’ll be able to apply the coupon to your purchase at checkout.
Amazon Card
Amazon also had a couple of options when it comes to credit cards as well. These cards have perks like earning a percentage of cash back when you’re shopping on Amazon and can be useful if you’re able to pay the cards off quickly.
Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards also offers points for Amazon purchases. You can sign up with a free account and when you connect your Amazon account, the app will give you points for each Amazon purchase you make. Points translate to dollars in Fetch so you could also be earning an Amazon gift card for yourself to use on future purchases.
Tracking your order
After you’re done shopping on Amazon and you’ve placed your order, you might want to track that order. You can choose settings on your account to have updates emailed or texted to you as your purchases move through different phases of the shipping process. At any time, you can also come back to the main Amazon page and click on the Returns and Orders at the top right of the page. Here you’ll find all of your orders and the status of those orders.
Shopping on Amazon can certainly make life easier – especially when you know how to find the best deals on those purchases.
Do you have any Amazon shopping tips to share?
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