It’s no secret that Australians are shopping for a wide range of products on Amazon. It’s a marketplace hub for just about everything, including electronics, kitchen gadgets, homewares and even beauty needs.
But I, like most people, find it incredible hard to navigate the website, and can often become overwhelmed by the endless options, sometimes abandoning cart mid-shop because it’s all too much.
Luckily, I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way, which includes looking for best sellers, reviews and keeping tabs on your favourite items so that you’re ahead of the game when it comes to sale time.
So without further ado, here are the best tips to surviving Amazon.
1. Check your details are correct
It might seem simple, but always be sure that your details are correct before doing any shopping. After all, there’s nothing worse than filling your cart, only to realise that half your items are unable to be shipped to your location.
When it comes to shopping during sale periods, it’s also handy to check your payment details are correct ahead of time as well. Sale products go out of stock incredibly quickly, so don’t waste precious minutes having to re-enter your credit card details.
2. Understand the product listings
On some of the items you search for on Amazon, you’ll see tags like “Amazon’s Choice” or “#1 Best Seller”.
Amazon’s Choice allows you to discover products that other customers are already choosing. These are always products that are highly rated, well priced and ready to ship. These are generally items that are trustworthy, and have been purchased hundreds (if not thousands) of times already.
The best sellers however, are the top selling products in each category. However the best sellers come with a caveat: it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are the most highly rated or are available to purchase at the current time.
Generally, both are good indicators of what items are popular to others shopping for the same items.
3. Check reviews and ratings
There’s nothing quite as helpful as seeing a rating and review of a product. They can be especially helpful when considering whether a purchase is right for you – especially if you’re investing big money into something like a robot vacuum. Some reviews will also include pictures of the product which is always extra helpful.
When looking at reviews and ratings, it’s a good idea to keep in mind what you want from the product, and to see whether the reviews mention that. For example, a review might say that the product was great, however assembly was difficult. If you’re someone who loves a challenge, this might not be a deal breaker for you, however if you would rather pay someone else than assemble it yourself… well, it might be a sign to shop for something else.
4. Make a wishlist
If you’re on the fence about an item, it’s always wise to save the item to your wishlist. That way, you’ll have easy access to the item, and if it goes on sale, you’ll be able to quickly add it to your cart – no searching Amazon all over again!
To add to your wishlist, head to the right hand side underneath the ‘Add to Cart’ and ‘Buy Now’ buttons. There will be a drop down box that will allow you to add to a current list or create a new one.
If you have multiple different categories of items you are looking to purchase such as Christmas gifts, household essentials, personal items and more, it’s a great way to break these up and not feel overwhelmed.
5. Keep an eye on the ‘Deals’ tab
In the top left corner of your Amazon page, you’ll find a link to ‘Today’s Deals‘ which is a hub for all the best sales that day.
It’s great to utilise this tab if you are looking for a particular item, but are not concerned about the brand. For example, if you know you’re ready to purchase a walking pad, but don’t mind which brand it comes from, you’ll find the available deals and sales in this tab.
6. Read the policies
It might seem simple, but it’s always a good idea to check the shipping and returns policy, as these will vary from product to product. Some may offer free delivery, however there may be costs associated with others. The same goes for returns, which may not be the same… even if they’re from the same supplier.
If you’re now looking for some Amazon inspiration, we’ve got you covered. Here are the top products in some of our favourite categories.
Amazon best sellers in home
White King Lemon Toilet Cleaner Gel
GLASSGUARD Mould Remover Gel
Ajax Eco Antibacterial Wipes
BISSELL 2X Spot & Stain Formula
Amazon best sellers in beauty
Dove Triple Hydrate Body Wash 1L
COSRX Snail Mucin Essence
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+
Johnson’s Pure Cotton Bud Applicators
Amazon best sellers in electronics
INIU 22.5W Power Bank
Anker USB C Charger
Duracell Lithium Coin, 4 Pack Batteries
UGREEN USB C Charger
