When Prime Day arrives, Amazon Prime subscribers can take advantage of thousands of deals, discounts and savings opportunities. You have to be a Prime subscriber to join in, but never fear — you can sign up for a subscription at any time. Most of the sales take place on the Amazon website, but other retailers occasionally join in on the fun. This is a great time to buy gifts for your family members, check items off your wish list and get a discount on some of your favorite products.
How Do You Participate in Prime Day?
To participate in Prime Day, you'll need an Amazon Prime subscription. If you don't have one, Amazon doesn't put any limits on when you can sign up. You can sign up right before Prime Day, then cancel your subscription later. Just note that you'll probably still have to pay the monthly fee. If you plan on keeping your subscription, you could pay for a year's worth of Amazon Prime perks ahead of time.
How Do Prime Day Deals Work?
During Prime Day, Amazon offers thousands of discounts in various categories. The official Prime Day page has information about their current deals. The flash deals usually have the best discounts, but you could also save $100 or more on items throughout the store. If you don't have a Prime subscription, sign up before Prime Day launches so you don't miss out on any of the deals.
Prime Day Shopping Tips
Prime Day deals are gone in a flash. You might not be able to claim every deal, but here are a few tips on getting as many discounts as possible.
Use Your 30-Day Free Trial
Amazon gives most shoppers a 30-day Amazon Prime free trial. If you haven't used your trial already, you can use it now so you don't have to pay for a Prime subscription. You might not be eligible for this trial if you've had Amazon Prime in the past.
Add Items to Your Wishlist
Add your favorite items to your wish list, then keep checking it throughout the Prime Day celebrations. This is a great way to see if your items have gone on sale. You might want to create separate wish lists for different categories.
Place Items in Your Shopping Cart
You won't know exactly what's going on sale, but you might be able to make a few predictions. Technology, appliances and Amazon devices typically go on sale for Prime Day. If there's something that you want to buy, add it to your cart and check out when it goes on sale. If it doesn't, you could always remove it from your cart later.
Watch Out for Flash Sales
In addition to their regular sales, Amazon launches flash sales throughout the holiday. These sales don't last long, but they offer some of the highest discounts on the website. Make sure you act quickly because people can grab sale items within seconds.
Previous Prime Day Deals
You'll have to act quickly to take advantage of your favorite Prime Day deals. The deals change every year, but here's a look at some of the discounts they've offered in the past:
$50 off AirPods
$150 off headphones
$65 off home security systems
$70 off flat-screen TVs
$50 off iPads
$20 off Instant Pots
When Does Prime Day Take Place?
Prime Day falls on a different date each year, but it usually takes place in June or July. This year (2021), Prime Day will start on Monday, June 21 at 12:01 a.m. PT/3:01 a.m. ET and will end on Tuesday, June 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT (Wed., June 23 at 2:59 a.m. ET). Prime Day is actually a two-day shopping event that features sales and discounts throughout the Amazon website.
Which Other Retailers Join in on the Fun?
Other major companies usually join in to take advantage of the shopping rush. Here are some of the deals that Amazon's competitors have offered in the past.
Walmart
In 2020, Walmart offered extensive savings on appliances, technology and other goods. You might be able to save $100 or more on popular products. Typically, Walmart runs a three-day sale as opposed to Amazon's two-day sale.
Target
Target has offered deals on appliances, technology and other hot-button items. As with the Walmart sale, you could save $100 or more on vacuums, flat-screen TVs and smart home products.
Kohl's
Last year, Kohl's ran a sale that offered 15% off sale items plus 30% off a purchase for Kohl's cardholders. You might be able to earn Kohl's cash if you spend a certain dollar amount this year. Look for sales on appliances, decor, home goods and other items.
Old Navy
Old Navy's 2020 sale offered an impressive 50% off virtually everything in their store. They also offered free shipping with no minimum purchase. Prime Day is a great time to stock up on clothes for your entire family.
Bed Bath and Beyond
The Bed Bath and Beyond sale may include up to 60% off select items. Last year, this sale included 20% off an order plus free shipping if you signed up for a Beyond+ membership.
History of Prime Day
The first Prime Day launched in 2015 as a way for Amazon to celebrate their 20th anniversary. Several countries joined in and made Prime Day a global phenomenon. The original Prime Day was so successful that it became a yearly tradition, delighting shoppers across the world with massive deals and discounts. Prime Day was originally a one-day event, but it's become so popular that it now lasts 48 hours.
FAQ
Why Is Prime Day Celebrated?
Amazon hosts Prime Day every year to give people the chance to save big on their favorite products.
Which Day Is Prime Day Celebrated On?
The date changes every year, but the event usually takes place in June or July.
Why Is Prime Day Important?
During Prime Day, Amazon Prime members can take advantage of thousands of deals. In total, Prime Day customers have saved millions of dollars.
