Amazon Prime Day Starts June 23rd: The Best Early Deals Worth Your Time

Amazon Prime Day 2024 is coming June 23rd. Earlier than usual. The retail giant is already dropping "early deals" to get you spending before the main event.

But here's what Amazon won't tell you: most Prime Day deals are fake discounts on products they've marked up weeks before. The real savings come from knowing which deals are actually worth your money.

Prime Day Is Amazon's Biggest Marketing Scam

Prime Day started as a way to boost Prime memberships during Amazon's slow summer months. It worked. Now it's a shopping circus that rivals Black Friday.

The dirty secret? Amazon inflates prices 30-60 days before Prime Day, then "discounts" them back to normal prices. They call it a deal. You call it Tuesday.

That $300 tablet marked down from $500? It was probably $280 three months ago. Amazon's algorithm is smarter than your impulse control.

This year's early deals follow the same playbook. Amazon is conditioning you to buy now before the "real" sales start. Don't fall for it.

What's Actually Worth Buying This Year

Not everything is a scam. Some categories consistently offer legitimate savings:

Amazon's Own Devices: Echo speakers, Fire tablets, Kindles, Ring doorbells. Amazon takes real losses on these to lock you into their ecosystem. A $50 Echo Dot for $20? That's a genuine deal.

Warehouse Clearance: Older tech models Amazon needs to move. Last year's iPad, discontinued headphones, previous-gen smart TVs. Real discounts because they need shelf space.

Third-Party Sellers: Small brands use Prime Day to compete with big names. They offer actual discounts because they can't afford fake ones.

Skip the "lightning deals" on popular brands. Samsung, Apple, Sony rarely give Amazon permission for deep discounts. Those deals are usually refurbished items or older models dressed up as current ones.

How to Shop Prime Day Without Getting Played

First, install a price tracking browser extension like Honey or CamelCamelCamel before you shop. These tools show you the real price history. That "50% off" deal might be 5% off last month's price.

Second, make a list before Prime Day starts. Decide what you actually need. Amazon's interface is designed to make you buy things you didn't know you wanted. Stick to your list.

Third, compare prices across retailers. Best Buy, Target, and Walmart all run competing sales during Prime Day. Amazon's "lowest price" claim is often false.

Check if you actually need Prime membership. The annual fee is $139. If you're only buying for Prime Day deals, calculate whether your savings exceed the membership cost. Many "Prime exclusive" deals become available to everyone within hours.

The Real Winner Isn't You

Prime Day generates billions in revenue for Amazon. The company's stock typically jumps 2-3% during Prime Week. Jeff Bezos didn't become the world's richest person by giving you great deals.

The event trains consumers to shop on Amazon's schedule, not their own. Need a new laptop? Better wait for Prime Day. Running low on household supplies? Prime Day is coming.

This artificial scarcity creates urgency where none should exist. You can buy toilet paper any day of the year at the same price.

Walmart, Target, and other retailers now run competing sales during Prime Day. This benefits consumers through actual competition. Use it. Don't shop exclusively on Amazon just because they invented a fake holiday.

Your Move

Prime Day deals can save you money if you shop smart. But most people don't. They buy things they don't need at prices that aren't actually discounted.

Here's what to do: Research prices now for items you actually need. Set up price alerts. When Prime Day arrives, compare across multiple retailers. Buy only what was already on your list.

Remember: the best deal is not buying something you don't need, regardless of the discount.

— Dolce