“Prime Day: It’s a day with more deals than Black Friday,” Amazon, the ecommerce behemoth triumphantly proclaimed. Beginning in the wee hours of the morning, members of Amazon’s free shipping service became eligible to purchase specially priced items timed to release throughout the day. But customers have been generally unimpressed with Amazon’s attempt at “celebrating” their twentieth anniversary.
Even The Washington Post, owned by Amazon CEO Jeffrey Bezos, bemoaned the “selection of items offered.” Market Watch quoted a shopper who said “everyone is disappointed, just like Christmas morning.” Those hunting for good deals on electronics such as the Kindle No Glare ($30 savings) should have begun their search early. That item, along with several others, sold out before lunchtime.
Some have compared Prime Day to a “bad garage sale,” and by looking over the list of “deals” below–some of which include fine print stipulations and some of which are just without significant discounts–one can see how the comparison fits.
- A 25 percent bonus on Amazon Coins – Buys can purchase 5,000 ($45) and get 6,250, purchase 10,000 ($90) and get 12,500. These points can be used for Kindle and Android mobile device apps and games, such as “Game of War and Hearthstone,” however, they take up to 48 hours to be validated.
- $30 Amazon gift card with purchase of $230 toilet replacement. This offer does not include an actual toilet.
- Chef Works Chat Chef Hat – $3.99. While a decent discount from the $15 regular price for all the chefs that shop Amazon for their professional attire, this hat is only an add-on item.
- Antarctic Krill Oil – $23.15 for 60 count ($0.39 per capsule). This deal is about three times as expensive as this bottle of Krill Oil, which also has free shipping.
- Skylanders Trap Team – $5.99. This is a set of two toys, two stickers, and two QR codes, but it requires a starter pack that is almost $40.
- Garment Steamer – $118.95. This offer is fifteen percent off the original price, but it takes an extra one to two days to process.
- Handheld Label Printer – $93.14. The original price is $99, so this printer isn’t even 15 percent off, even though it’s listed in the special 15 percent off category.
- Fytto Style Compression Socks – $10.26. Save a whole $2.73.
- Calumet Baking Powder – $1.38. Shoppers must order $50 worth of Prime Pantry items for free shipping; otherwise $5.99 shipping charge will apply.
- Flask Handle – $6.74. It’s a pack of two. But who needs one flask handle, much less two?
