Amazon's price games - YouLookFab Forum

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Shopping

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Amazon's price games

Anonymous

I admit it. I play their stupid price games because sometimes there's something I want but don't want to pay full price. For example, I wanted this NYDJ top (see pic in link below), but the normal price is $88.

http://www.nydj.com/fireworks-.....ite/d/4728

I've been watching the price drop at Amazon. When there were only 4 left and price fell to under $40, I pounced, figuring the price would probably not go any lower than that. I was right. Today, they say there are only 3 left, but the price is up to almost $70. Go figure.

For things that I want but don't have to have, doing this sort of thing usually pays off. I miss the days when there were only semi-annual sales and nothing in between. Now I window shop more often due to fluctuating prices.

Shopping

14 replies

Latest reply was from RobinF

RobinF

Veteran

Hmm, interesting. I don't shop on Amazon much for clothes and didn't realize that they do this. Good to know.

Anonymous

Agree, BC. I have watched prices fluctuate over the course of a single day.

Joyce B

Veteran

The main thing is that you knew what price you were willing to pay for an item, you did your research and bought it when the price was right for you. Well done! I do that, too BTW.

Anonymous

Thanks. I agree that in order to do this, you have to know what you're willing to pay. You also have to know how low the prices typically go for the item you're looking at.

catseye

Veteran

There is a whole website camelcamelcamel.com devoted to price tracking of the Amazon.com. Amazon's has taken pricing into a whole new level. However, I have to say, they do have the best price most times and there customer service is top notch.

Diana

Veteran

I find watching the price changes on Amazon kind of entertaining. Am I the only one?

I have a ton of random things saved for later in my Amazon cart (because I basically use it for bookmarking things I might be interested in at some point) and there are a couple of items in there that change by like one cent almost every single day.

Beth

Veteran

I was going to mention camelcamelcamel too. You can set it up to send emails when the price drops to a level you specify. And prices fluctuate on nearly everything Amazon sells. I've had price alerts from shoes to coffee makers.

always trying

Veteran

I have been avoiding Amazon recently for these very reasons. When the price drops they are almost always out of my size. To a lesser extent Macy's is doing a similar thing with sale items too.

MaryA

Amazon's pricing reminds me of cruise line pricing (I remember reading you enjoy cruising as much as I do). It is always in flux and all you can do is make sure you buy something at the price that is good for you and never look back.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I believe prices also vary by what person is shopping. My cleaning person asked me to order something for her (barbecue grill parts) because her computer was having some malware issues. She bought me a print out of the items and prices. When I looked them up it was only one day later, and the prices were $4-6 less.

Such are the rewards of big data. I have some outstanding researcher clients at another very large online retailer and the stuff they can do with data and information is amazing.

Anonymous

I don't set my sights on always buying from Amazon. I check Amazon for price comparison, and pounce when I see a great price on things I want to buy that have already been added to my cart. They are not last-minute purchases. Like I said, I think of it as a game.

kkards

Veteran

BC, just remember that Amazon always wins! you may get a lower price, but they have learned A)what price it takes to make you buy B)what you buy, C)what else you shop for D)how you shop.

Anonymous

You're right, but I also know how much the NYDJ tops cost when they're on sale. I rarely see them under $40, and by that time my size and/or desired color has sold out. Like I said, I do my homework first. I Google what I want to buy and see what prices come up on the internet in general. I stalk the prices for quite a while, too. Not too long ago I kept track of a dress (not NYDJ brand) I wanted at a certain online retailer for 2 or 3 months. Eventually it went on clearance, and I snagged it for 75% off. Was the price I paid for the NYDJ top a steal? No, but NYDJ isn't an inexpensive brand and it seems they like to keep the prices on the high side, even when on sale. It's okay if Amazon knows my shopping patterns. I'll either buy or not buy, at my discretion.

RobinF

Veteran

I think Overstock does this also. I was debating ordering a small loveseat for our kitchen, waited a day, went back to order it and it had gone down a substantial amount, like maybe 30%. I was thrilled but sure glad I hadn't bought it the day before.