Our top 5 hacks for evaluating Amazon deals ahead of Prime Big Deal Days

The recent Prime Big Deal Days event has brought a surge of savings opportunities for shoppers. However, amidst the legitimate discounts, there are also many less-than-ideal deals circulating online. It can be challenging to discern which offers are truly worthy of your money. To help navigate this, experts suggest several strategies.

One key approach is to trust your instincts. If a deal appears too good to be true, it likely is. Yet, for those needing definitive assurance, there are methods to confirm accuracy. One effective method is to cross-reference the product's list price on the manufacturer's official website. This can reveal if the discount is more substantial than it initially seems or if the deal is genuinely good.

For instance, the Anker Solix power station was listed on Amazon with an MSRP of $1,199, representing a 43% discount. Yet, checking Anker's website disclosed the true MSRP to be $999.99. Despite the sale price remaining consistent across platforms, the discount was not as significant as initially perceived.

Another valuable tool is price-tracking software like CamelCamelCamel. This free resource allows users to monitor a product's historical pricing over weeks, months, or even years. While it may not capture short-term discounts or Lightning deals, it provides a reliable gauge of typical price fluctuations. Similarly, Walmart's Camelmart tool can be used to compare prices during fall sales events.

Amazon's own Alexa for Shopping feature has also improved recently. This AI-powered assistant, accessible via app, website, and Echo Show devices, can provide up-to-one-year price histories for products and set price alerts. By asking Alexa about a specific item's price history, shoppers can receive timely notifications when a deal becomes favorable.