In 2020, when we were forced to retreat from the outside world because of something called COVID-19, life changed in ways we couldn’t have imagined. For many of us, Zoom replaced IRL contact with friends, family and colleagues, and we adopted new, often unexpected hobbies.
And we shopped online a lot—despite prices that were often higher than usual due to supply chain issues and overwhelming demand.
While the world has opened up again to some degree, many of us have gotten used to a remote lifestyle, and many of us have decided to stay remote (by either negotiating hybrid schedules with our employers or joining the Great Resignation and pursing new passions and careers that complement our newfound love for working from home).
So now that demand for some of these pandemic buys is lessening, it might be the perfect time to splurge on that workout equipment or pizza maker you missed out on during lockdown.
Plus, with Amazon Prime Day coming up in July, I share some of my top ways to score the best deals for those better-late-than-never at-home conveniences and luxuries.
Fitness Equipment and Bikes
When gyms and fitness studios temporarily closed, people dashed like mad to buy exercise gear for their homes. As a result, prices for many items increased significantly and supplies dwindled. But now, many of those prices have come down.
A prime example: Peloton recently reduced prices on their bikes and treads from $1,745 to $1,445—though the all-access membership fee in the United States increased from $39 to $44 per month. Still, this category is worth revisiting now.
Virtual Reality Headsets
Once an insanely expensive pandemic favorite, the VR headset now has many low-cost options. Popular Meta Oculus models are $299 and up, but Amazon sells several basic off-brand models under $100. They might not have the Oculus bells and whistles but will certainly transport you to another world if you need an escape—and for a lot less.
Bidets
The toilet paper shortage (yeah, remember that?) early in the pandemic triggered huge interest in bidets. Regina Conway, consumer expert at Slickdeals.net, said that brands like BioBidet and Toto were top sellers on Prime Day in 2020. Might we see bargain prices on Prime Day this year? It’s likely.
Video Game Consoles
When a new game console is released, it can be hard to get your hands on one. This certainly has been the case with the new Sony Play Station 5, the hottest thing around when it was released in late 2020. Early birds snagged units for themselves or sold them at a hefty markup on sites like eBay.
Today, PS5s are still hard to find at retail price, so you might want to consider a comparable unit from another brand or look for used or refurbished units. For the best prices, set a deal alert on Slickdeals.net*, so you’ll be notified when it goes on sale, or wait until sales hit around July 4 or on Amazon Prime Day.
Protective Face Masks
Like it or not, we’ll probably be using masks off and on for the foreseeable future. When the omicron variant hit in late 2021, the more protective and recommended N95 and KN95 masks shot up in price. The same KN95 that I bought last December had doubled in price by this February when I tried to buy some for my mother. Fortunately, mask prices are coming down again, so it’s a good time to stock up.
Outdoor Furniture, Pergolas & Fire Pits
Desperate to socialize, many of us scrambled to level-up our outdoor spaces with comfortable chairs, tables and tools to help us brave the elements, like coverings and heating devices. After several pandemic-related jumps in prices, and sometimes months-long supply shortages, things seem to have settled down. So, if you still need a pergola or fire pit, summer sales are a good place to look.
Top Tips for Amazon Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day is right around the corner and is a great time for Prime members to find bargains on the millions of products that will be on sale. Here’s how:
Use Amazon Tools
• At the top of most Amazon pages, you can click on Today’s Deals, where you’ll find current and upcoming sale items, including limited-time-only Lightning Deals. You can also find these deals by clicking on Deals & Savings in the Amazon Shopping App.
• Install the Amazon Assistant browser extension to create “wishlists” and view Amazon prices when you browse other retailers to ensure you’re truly getting a good deal.
• Ask Alexa what today’s deals are—some will be exclusive to Alexa.
• If you are a frequent Amazon shopper, it might be worth considering the fee-free Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card. With it, you can earn 5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, as well as get access to exclusive Prime Day discounts.
Use Other Tools
• Install the Cently browser extension from CouponFollow*. As you browse on Amazon, it lets you know if there is a lower price from another Amazon seller or another retailer.
• Use Google Shopping or Yahoo Shopping to compare prices before checking out. If this year is like previous years, several retailers will have competitive sales, so shop around before clicking buy.
Happy bargain hunting!
*I work with CouponFollow and Slickdeals.
Trae Bodge is a lifestyle journalist and shopping expert with a passion for helping people save money.
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