It’s very easy to get swept up in Prime Day and buy things you don’t need for the sole reason of it being a “great deal.” Retailers are well aware of that fact and will use it at every turn. The trick is to find out which deals are truly great and which ones are hiding behind the “deal” label.
Check the Price History
Let’s say an item is marked down from $50 to $25. That seems like a great deal—50% off is nothing to scoff at. The catch is the item only cost $30 last week; it was artificially inflated so it could be marked down to a greater degree. In some cases, the item may have even been cheaper not long ago.
Who is Selling it?
If the item is not being sold by a trusted seller, you could end up with something that doesn’t match the description. Maybe you received a refurbished product instead of a brand new one. And if the seller doesn’t have a good return policy, you’re out of luck.
Look for Fake Reviews
Why is that food processor discounted so deeply? It has thousands of reviews and over a four-star rating. Can it really be that sweet of a deal? Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. The reviews can often help you figure that out.
Sellers can incentivize buyers to leave dishonest reviews. Gifts cards for five-star reviews, paying them to purchase the product so they still appear as a “Verified Buyer,” and asking people to update reviews for gifts are all common tactics.
