13 tips and hacks every Amazon shopper should know

Everyone loves the convenience of online shopping, but Amazon must be doing something special to get this many people to commit to a $99 subscription.

As of 2024, approximately 54% of Canadian adults are Amazon Prime subscribers, Money.ca reports. This means that tens of millions of people subscribe to Amazon Prime across North America, benefiting from services like Prime Video, free shipping, and other perks.

That said, this e-retailer has become so successful and gargantuan that it's easy to lose track of all of its many offers, programs, sales, and deals. Here are some of the many ways to save money when shopping at Amazon, including a few hacks Jeff Bezos probably hopes you don't know (such as how to get free Amazon gift cards).

Find Marked-Down and Used Items at the Amazon Warehouse

The rush of getting a great deal on a previously loved item isn't restricted to garage sales. Amazon Warehouse sells items that have been opened, used, or slightly damaged—sometimes at incredibly low discounts.

Keep an eye out for "Used" listings from Amazon Warehouse to snag these deals. In most cases, the Amazon listing will note the condition of the item, which helps to decide whether it's actually good value for the price.

Maximize Amazon Prime Day No-Minimum Spending

Add-on items are typically small, inexpensive products that require a $25 minimum purchase. However, by using Amazon Day—also known as Amazon Prime Day—you can ship an 'as-is' item, or pre-order an upcoming book or video game, even if you don't meet the minimum $25 spend for free shipping. That's because Amazon Prime Day offers free shipping on all products even when minimum spending thresholds are not met.

Snag Free Games and Loot With Prime Gaming

Prime members can download free games each month via Prime Gaming. They also get exclusive in-game loot, like characters and skins, as well as free Twitch channel subscriptions, providing additional value for gamers.

As long as you have a PC, you can download the Amazon Games App and claim free titles every single month.

Get a Six-Month Free Trial If You're a Student

Students need all the financial help they can get.

With Amazon Prime Student, college and university kids get an extended, six-month free trial of Amazon Prime and only pay half the regular membership fee if they choose to continue their membership while they're in school. Like the regular Prime subscription, the student Prime subscription includes all the benefits of Prime, like two-day shipping, and access to Prime Video and Prime Music. Plus, a student Prime subscription makes you eligible for exclusive deals and discounts, so keep a look-out for textbooks and other college essentials.

Watch Even More Movies and Shows for Free

Don't look down on Prime Video as a Netflix wannabe. The streaming service has some great content and you won't need to pay extra if you already have a Prime membership.

If you run out of free Prime movies and TV shows to watch, don't worry. Amazon allows users to add on "Prime Channels" like HBO, Showtime, and CBS All Access for an additional fee. Each additional Prime channel typically includes a 30-day free trial, so you can binge all four seasons of Avatar: The Last Airbender on Nickelodeon, then cancel your subscription before the trial ends if you don't feel like paying for more.

Two-Day Delivery Is Just the Start

Everyone knows about Amazon's Two-Day Delivery, which offers unlimited free two-day shipping in most cities. But the online retailer offers other free delivery options with a Prime membership as well.

Shoppers in select metro areas are able to get One-Day Delivery or Same-Day Delivery, depending on what they're buying, as long as it's before the order cut-off time and meets the $25 threshold. Check your postal code to see whether you're eligible for these options.

You can also get Release Date Delivery for certain pre-order items, like books and games, on the day they become available, as long as you order them at least two days in advance.

Dig Deep Into the Digital Library or Upgrade to Kindle Unlimited

Prime members get access to Prime Reading—a digital library with hundreds of titles to choose from.

You can use a Kindle E-reader, Fire tablet, or just download the Kindle app to your phone to check out some good reads. You can download up to 10 titles at a time and opt for Audible narration on some books if you don't feel like reading.

Bookworms who aren't satisfied with the regular service can try a 30-day free trial of Kindle Unlimited in order to explore over a million titles. The premium service lets users borrow books without worrying about due dates and is available for $9.99 a month if they decide to commit after the trial.

Give Unwanted Items a Second Chance

If you've got some old electronics hoarded away in your closet, don't let them languish in the dark.

The e-retailer has a Second Chance Program that can help you figure out how to repair broken items or recycle them. To recycle old electronics and accessories, just fill out the online form and drop off your items at the nearest UPS location. Amazon will cover the shipping costs for you.

Though, if you'd prefer cash for your old electronics, there are a bunch of other services you can use, like eBay.

Save With Subscribe & Save

Are you the type of person who buys everything online, including toilet paper and batteries? Long-accustomed Amazon shoppers know that signing up for the Subscribe & Save program can make repeat shopping easier and get you better deals.

When you subscribe to purchase items that you'd buy regularly and get them delivered automatically, you not only get free shipping and automatic delivery, but you can also unlock savings. In most cases, expect a 15% discount for recurring deliveries—however, these savings can rise and fall depending on the item and delivery schedule.

To take advantage of Subscribe & Save, Amazon will ask you to establish a recurring delivery date. For instance, you could schedule cat food delivery for every month, every two months, or whatever schedule fits your needs. And don't worry about overstocking on items: Amazon will send you a reminder email before each delivery with the list of items and applicable discounts, so you can skip or cancel an auto-purchase at any time.

Get Deeper Discounts at Whole Foods

Yet another reason to get a Prime membership: deals on groceries.

The business world was shocked in June 2017 when Amazon said it was acquiring the Whole Foods Market chain for $13.7 billion. "They make it fun to eat healthy," Bezos said in the official announcement.

Prime members can get special deals at Whole Foods, and all customers get free shipping on orders over $35 when they're shipped by Amazon.

Shop Amazon Outlet for Clearance Items

While Amazon Warehouse offers discounts on opened and refurbished items, it's pretty skewed towards tech and electronic items. Amazon Outlet, on the other hand, offers savings on all sorts of products, from gardening tools to jewelry.

Items on this digital sales rack haven't been used or opened already, but they include overstocked, seasonal, and clearance inventory.

Wait for Amazon Prime Day

This virtual holiday usually occurs over the course of 48 hours in July in celebration of Amazon's birthday. In 2024, Amazon reintroduces a second Amazon Prime Day in October—starting on October 8 and ending October 9, 2024. On Prime Day, prices get slashed on hundreds of items across departments and even on some of Amazon's paid services, like Amazon Music.

Keep in mind, you will have to be an Amazon Prime member to participate.

Amazon Prime features Only Available in America

Amazon Family account

New parents? Say no more. Prime members who sign up for Amazon Family can save 20% on diapers, get a 15% baby registry discount, and a free Baby Registry Welcome Gift, which includes full- and sample-size products for both parent and child. Amazon also sends out a helpful email newsletter with parenting tips from experts, product recommendations, and exclusive deals. Unfortunately, the Amazon Family account is not offered to Canadians.

Amazon Prime Wardrobe

Prime Wardrobe is a "try before you buy" program that lets you try on clothes at home before committing to the purchase. It's a great way to shop for clothing without worrying about returns. Unfortunately, the program is not available to Canadian Amazon Prime subscribers. However, most clothing purchases made through Amazon do come with a 30-day money back guarantee—meaning you can "try before you buy" even without the official Wardrobe program. Just be sure you read the return policy for the retailer, as some only accept returns for specific items or reasons, while others may charge delivery or restocking fees.

Ways to Earn While You Spend

Increase your cash back or reward earnings by combining your Amazon shopping with a credit card that offers appealing earn rates for Amazon purchases.

One great option is the MBNA Amazon Rewards Mastercard. As a Prime member, you'll earn 2.5% on eligible purchases at Amazon.ca and Whole Foods Market. Check out promotions that let you double earnings for the first few months. You can find other great options through the Money.ca list of the best Canadian credit cards for Amazon purchases.

— with files from Romana King