Amazon says it's bigger than Black Friday.
Here's what you need to know to make the most of Amazon Prime Days, which begins Monday at 3 p.m. EST.
Amazon products to the front
There are deals to be had on more than a million items, but remember that first and foremost, this is about Amazon pushing a lot of its own product.
Amazon-specific products—like Alexa, Echo and Kindle—will be the biggest gets. The Echo Show, for example. is marked down $100.
First-time subscribers to Amazon services like Amazon Music or Kindle Unlimited can also get some good deals. Three months of Kindle Unlimited can be had for just $0.99. New Amazon Music Unlimited users can get four months of on-demand music for $0.99.
But even items like batteries or charging cables sold under the Amazon Basics line are also discounted, some by as much as 20 percent.
“A lot of people don’t realize that Amazon has really expanded their product line, so these items are really going to be discounted," said Lisa Rowan, savings expert with Tampa-based ThePennyHoarder.com.
"They also have private clothing lines they’ve released in the past year, so with these items that Amazon controls the design and production, it behooves them to get them into your home.”
Have a plan, man
The Amazon Prime rabbit hole can get very dark and deep very quickly, Rowan cautions. The fastest way to burn a hole through your wallet is to go in without a plan, she said.
“It’s not like going to the mall on Black Friday and just walking into the department store and looking around," Rowan said. "You have to start with what you want."
Monday and Tuesday, Amazon is giving you a ton of discounts, but just because there is a deal doesn't mean you need that item right now, Rowan cautions.
Do your research and compare prices elsewhere, she said.
Rowan also cautions against just sitting down in front of your computer and opening your web browser to Amazon. Instead, download the Amazon app and set alerts on items you know you're interested in buying. With new deals being posted regularly for the next 36 hours starting this afternoon, it’s the easiest way to keep track.
"Don't just start browsing, it’s going to be a nightmare and you’re not going to be able to determine what’s a good deal and what’s maybe a lower-quality item that had a lower price to begin with,"
Deal or no deal?
But how do you determine whether that Prime-priced item you're eyeing on is really a good deal?
A website called CamelCamelCamel.com is a big help. Started in 2015, the site tracks and shows the price history of nearly every product on Amazon.
And the best part is that it lets you import your entire Amazon Wish List to do price checks so you don't have to enter each item in manually.
Members only
You must be an Amazon Prime member to get the deals. If you're not already, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial membership. Just don't forget to cancel the trial before it ends, otherwise, you'll be charged the $119 annual membership fee.
If you're an Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature cardholder, you can earn up to 10 percent back on Prime purchases along with purchases made at Amazon-owned Whole Foods markets. You can also look for in-store Prime Day deals at Whole Foods.
So is it all worth it?
"Amazon Prime Day can be worth it if you go in with a skeptical mindset," Rowan said. "If you set your expectations low, you might be surprised by the discounts you can get. Don't go in thinking you're going to get stuff for free or almost-free."
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