Amazon’s famous Prime Day is hitting us again this summer, from July 8-11. And every year, there’s this whole buzz, right? But honestly, when it all wraps up, I’m sitting there, kinda meh. Not that the deals are bad — it’s how I dive into them. Like, I let myself get swept up in the FOMO tide. I doubt I’m the only one in this boat.
Anyway, got chatting with some buddies who write about finance too, swapping stories about our Prime Day oopsies. Here goes:
What’s Your Biggest Prime Day Regret?
Cordless LED Table Lamp
Amanda Barroso: “Hey, it was adorable for, like, an hour. Then the charge? Poof, gone. Wasn’t even on my radar, but social media kept shoving similar stuff in my face. Classic impulse. Missed the return window, so it’s now vibing in my ‘donate’ pile, waiting for a new home.”
Unplanned Stuff
Lauren Schwahn: “Last year? Had my heart set on a Yoto Mini for my kid’s birthday. Snatched it for $63.99 on Prime Day — yay, right? And then those sneaky extras caught me — $8 hair clips, $17 PJs. Did I really need that? Nope. Dropped an extra $25 which, let’s be real, could’ve been better spent elsewhere. One of those clips even snapped. Thick hair, what can I say?”
Pricey Soundbar Mishap
Tommy Tindall: “Wasn’t even July. October rolls around and bam! $700 on a Sonos soundbar? Not my typical splurge but Amazon had me hypnotized. Who spends like that on a random Tuesday?”
What Did We Learn?
Be Ready for Returns
Amanda Barroso: “Just ’cause influencers play it up doesn’t mean it’s worth it. Keeping tabs on what’s sold by Amazon helps with easy returns. Got the packaging stashed for a bit now. You never know.”
Stick to the List
Lauren Schwahn: “A bargain’s not a green light. If it’s not on the list, should it even be in my cart? Doubtful. No-name brands, I’m looking at you. Impulse buys have burnt me before, thanks but no thanks.”
Hype is a Sneaky Thing
Tommy Tindall: “Sucker for excitement here! The soundbar was packed up an hour after unboxing. Lesson learned: don’t let sales trap you into mindless spending. I returned that thing with haste.”
Dodging Regrets This Prime Day
Regret happens, yeah? But maybe this year we can dodge it. Here’s our take:
-
Don’t Buy Just Because It’s On Sale: It’s tough being an observer, but if you don’t need anything now, tapping out is okay.
-
Make a List: Have a plan before diving into the chaos. Toss stuff you need into the cart early, ward off those rogue buys.
-
Budget for Impulses: Can’t resist? Set a ‘fun’ budget. Spending without return stings less.
- Scrutinize Product Details: Dive into specs, reviews, and—uh huh—return policies. Stick with brands you trust, vet those third-party sellers like a hawk.
And there you have it, a little messy, a tad scattered, but it’s all part of the charm, right?
