Amazon Prime Day 2017: How to Get All the Deals

This on-again-off-again Amazon Prime member’s inbox was hit with an enticing email this morning. “Prime Day returns July 11!” declared the subject line. Good tidings then for the sales savant in each of us as the store’s annual Black-Friday-in-July holiday is only a fortnight away.

Prime Day 2017 is the third occurrence of Amazon’s sales and discount extravaganza. This year, the markdown bonanza happens to actually fall on a prime number. Take it as a lucky sign, if nothing else. The email directed me to a “Prime Day Insider Guide” whose tips and highlights are below.

The Lowdown

• Prime Day officially kicks off at 6 pm PT / 9 pm ET on July 10.
• Current Prime Members will automatically be eligible for the thousands of bargains.
• Unlike last year, anyone can begin their free 30-day trial on the day-of and get to purchasing.

Plan of Attack

• Get Amazon Assistant. This free browser extension is an invaluable shortcut for order updates, product comparisons, and delivery tracking.
• Join the waitlist. If an item you’re interested in is “100% claimed,” just click the “Join Waitlist” button which will be nearby on the product page. The kicker: if said product becomes available, you’ll get a notification on your mobile. So…
• Download the Amazon Prime Now App. In the “Today’s Deals” section, click “Upcoming” to be privy to all deals 24 hours before they’re live. And if anything there catches your fancy, tap “Watch this deal” and you’ll receive a push notification for when that deal has begun.
• Keep an eye out for “Spotlight Deals.” These offers are focused on “top brands, popular items, and deep discounts” and will run until the inventory runs to zilch.
• Similar, but somewhat more challenging, are “Lightning Deals.” While more prolific than “Spotlight” sales, these “Lightning Deals” will launch “as often as every 5 minutes” with a timer appearing above each sale to let you know how much time remains to purchase. These limited-time deals can be found through the “Shop All Deals” banner of the site. Fair warning: they can only be watched 24 hours ahead of time and offer limited quantities.
• Add similar items that you’re interested in to your List (aka shopping cart) where you can get notified if one (or both!) go on sale.

Already got Prime? Here’re some early bird deals that begin July 5th, the day after that other American holiday

These promotions can be found in the “More Prime Day Deals” section within the “Shop All Deals” area.

• For pennies on the dollar ($0.99 lol), if you aren’t already subscribed, get four months of Amazon Music Unlimited.
• Save up to 40% on a Kindle Unlimited membership.
• Haven’t streamed any Prime Videos? Get a $10 credit to shop if you sign up before July 12th.
• Sign up for Audible and save 40% for your first 6 months.
• Coupons with savings of up to 35% off will be available for numerous Prime Panty products.

Now that you’re, sorry, primed for Prime Day, here’s the official hype reel featuring music that wasn’t used in Drum Line: