7 Amazon Items To Splurge On, Settle For or Skip
Written by
Karen Doyle
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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Amazon is a consumer’s paradise — huge selection, low prices and speedy delivery. When in-person shopping was impossible during the early days of the pandemic, Amazon came to the rescue, showing up at our homes with jigsaw puzzles, dog toys and anything else we thought we needed to get through lockdown.
But now, Amazon may not be the best choice for every purchase you make. Here are some things you’ll want to splurge on, settle for or skip altogether when shopping on Amazon.
Splurge: Electronics
Amazon’s buying power and distribution efficiency means its pricing is hard to beat. For brand-name electronics, from TVs to computers to home security systems, Amazon carries nearly every product you could want. You can compare prices easily, since these are brand-name products, and next-day — or even same-day — delivery for free gives Amazon the edge over the big-box stores nearly every time.
Splurge: Cookware
For the serious cook, high-end cookware can be a big investment. Trying to find La Creuset on sale can be a full-time job, but Amazon has this classic line for 25% or so off the list price every day. Whether you’re adding to your own set or buying off the wedding registry, you’ll get more for your cookware budget at Amazon.
Settle: Fast Fashion
When you need that particular piece for a certain outfit, the selection at Amazon makes it easy to find exactly what you want. If it’s something you’ll likely only wear a few times, you might as well get the best price for it, and you’ll probably find that at Amazon.
Settle: Bed Linens
You may want to go high-end for your own bed linens, but when you’re outfitting the guest room, there’s no need to go over the top. You can find lower-priced but still high-quality sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers and more at Amazon. Since you won’t be using them every day, there’s no need to break the bank, but you can still find a big selection of colors and fun prints.
Skip: Subscriptions for Low-Priced Household Goods
Even with the volume Amazon does, some things are not economical for the e-commercial giant to ship. So they’ve come up with the subscription model for household goods, like cleaning supplies and paper products, to get you to purchase these things regularly. The problem is, that it can be tricky to find a subscription that exactly fits your usage, and sometimes, you really just want that one bottle of all-purpose cleaner. So, rather than signing up for a subscription for more than you need or buying something unnecessary to get free shipping, add these items to your regular grocery list instead of buying them from Amazon.
Skip: The Extended Warranty
When you’re buying that new TV or laptop, it can be tempting to add on the extended warranty. What if something goes wrong? You don’t want to have to pay to replace the item six months or a year from now, and the cost is only a small fraction of the cost of the item, right? The reason extended warranties are cheap is that they’re rarely used. The fact is, if something is going to go wrong with your new electronic device, it will likely do so within the first few weeks or months, likely within the regular warranty period.
Skip: Impulse Purchases
Amazon is a rabbit hole of consumerism, and it’s easy to get caught up, adding things to your cart with abandon. When you log on to buy something you need immediately, beware of adding extras to your cart. If something catches your eye, add it to your wish list instead. The next time you go back to Amazon, see if you still want it.
Amazon is convenient, affordable, and relentless when it comes to suggesting ways to part you from your money. Knowing which items to splurge on, which to settle for, and which to skip can help you stay within your budget.
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