As kids head back to school after the summer break, shoppers are gearing up for deals big and small, and Amazon is often the first place they look. With its vast selection, low prices, and fast shipping, Amazon has become a go-to for shoppers seeking convenience and affordability.
Amazon does, indeed, offer many great deals, especially when you factor in the dozens of other benefits of Amazon Prime. But it doesn't always offer the best deal on every item it sells. From questionable quality to higher-than-average prices, some of the products you'll find while browsing the online shopping platform simply aren't worth it.
We asked several shopping experts to weigh in on which products shoppers are better off buying elsewhere. While there are plenty of ways to save money shopping with Amazon, these items in particular typically aren't a great deal. Take a look at 10 of the worst things to buy on Amazon, according to shopping experts.
Most major department stores, specialty stores and big-box retailers that sell name-brand clothing and accessories regularly offer in-store coupons and online discount promo codes. These are savings that you simply won't always get on Amazon.
"You can easily spend at least 20% more buying name-brand clothing from Amazon compared to clothing-specific retailers such as Lands' End, American Eagle or Macy's,” says Kyle James, founder of Rather-Be-Shopping.com, a site that aggregates in-store and online coupons and discount codes.
If you've spotted a fashion item on Amazon that you'd like to buy, do some comparison shopping before you tap add to cart. As long as it's not a hot-ticket item that may sell out fast, you may want to wait until another retailer selling the same item has a sale.
Buying electronics, such as laptops, digital cameras or televisions on Amazon can be tricky — whether you buy directly from Amazon or from a third-party seller on Amazon Marketplace. Unlike at brick-and-mortar retailers, you can't physically see or touch a desired item online before buying it. You also don't have the luxury of being able to ask a customer service representative any questions in person about the product.
The buying decision becomes even trickier with off-brand electronics, which don't have the reputation and reliability that come with name brands. As such, you run the risk of purchasing sight unseen a poor-quality product with a short lifespan.
If you want something that lasts, it may be worth the peace of mind to buy pricier electronics from a big-box retailer, where you can ask questions and get immediate assistance if there's a problem with the purchase.
It might come as a surprise to Costco members, but the warehouse club's popular Kirkland Signature store-brand products are also sold on Amazon.
Online shoppers who don't want to pay Costco's annual membership of $65 might be tempted to add Kirkland items to their Amazon shopping cart, but that would be a costly mistake, says Cindy Livesey, founder of LivingRichWithCoupons.com.
The price markups on all the Kirkland products sold on Amazon are substantial.
To score the best deals, you'll want to shop in-store at Costco. That's because prices on certain items available on Costco's website are priced higher than what you'll find at the brick-and-mortar locations. Also, depending on the item, you may have to pay for shipping.
When it comes to high-end cosmetics (think: La Mer or Estee Lauder), you should probably steer clear of Amazon altogether. That's because the site has a documented problem with counterfeiters in its third-party marketplace, she notes.
Those merchants could be selling fake cosmetics or skincare products with harmful ingredients, like arsenic, mercury and lead. Buy high-end cosmetics directly from the manufacturer's website or through an authorized retailer (like Sephora or Ulta) to ensure you're getting an authentic product.
To find out if a particular retailer is authorized to sell a desired product, contact the manufacturer's customer service department through their website or by phone. They should be able to provide a list of authorized sellers near you.
If you're planning to spend several hundred or even thousands of dollars on a piece of jewelry, you'll want to be able to examine the intricate details including how it sparkles in the light, as well as the cut, color and clarity of the stone in-person. You can't do that when ordering online from Amazon.
Otherwise, if you receive the item and decide you don't like it, you'll be forced to jump through several hoops to return the order to Amazon and get a refund.
According to Amazon's return policy on jewelry:
- Jewelry and watch items with a value of $35 or more must be returned using a trackable shipping method.
- All product packaging (boxes, manuals, warranty cards, etc.) and certificates of authenticity, grading, and appraisal must be returned with the item.
- Any items returned without original documentation will be rejected.
- Items that have been resized, damaged, or otherwise altered after delivery won't be accepted for return.
It's worth taking the extra step to visit a fine jewelry store in-person. That way you can talk with a sales professional about any issues you may have with a desired item.
While Amazon does offer a variety of options, its prices on gift wrap aren't the cheapest. Your local dollar store is the go-to place for cheap gift wrap, LivingRichWithCoupons.com's Livesey says.
At Dollar Tree, we found several types of gift-wrapping paper (from printed to solid colors) that range in size from 12- to 20-square-foot rolls, all for $1.25 each. Expect to pay a good bit more than that on Amazon.
If you decide to go the dollar-store route, consider picking up a few other gift-giving essentials at bargain prices, including greeting cards, tape, decorative ribbons and gift bags that you can snag for a buck.
Buying larger appliances online, such as a washer, dryer or refrigerator, can be problematic. Yes, customer reviews are helpful, but nothing beats being able to examine appliances up close at an actual store, Cheapism.com's Latham suggests. That way you can take measurements, see hook-ups and peruse features, not to mention ask questions of a sales rep in person.
Big-box retailers and major department stores, including Best Buy, are popular with consumers on the hunt for large appliances. "It's simply easier to ensure you're getting exactly what you need — the right size and specs — in-store," Latham says.
Another upside: You can haggle over the price, which physical retailers are willing to do face-to-face on large appliance purchases, she adds.
Home improvement stores such as Lowe's and Home Depot are consumer favorites for good reason. Their vast inventory, knowledgeable staff and bargain prices are the main draw, Rather-Be-Shopping.com's James says.
You'll find the best deals on hand and power tools, as well as hardware including nails and screws, at these big-box retailers compared to Amazon, he adds.
How are big-box retailers able to hold up against Amazon when others have been hard hit? Amazon has a difficult time competing on price with Home Depot and Lowe's because those chains still have more leverage with their suppliers. "They're able to get their costs down and pass the savings on to their customers," James says.
If you have children, you'll need to restock their supply of pencils, pens, paper and crayons regularly. For those on a budget, Amazon shouldn't be the first place you turn to — even if you're a Prime member with access to expedited shipping.
As with gift wrap, it's hard to compete with your local dollar store's prices on school supplies, LivingRichWithCoupons.com's Livesey says. You can find everything from composition notebooks to index cards to glue sticks — even buy them in bulk — for a fraction of what you'd pay on Amazon.
If you're in the market for a new mattress, consider buying it directly from the manufacturer instead of Amazon. When you shop for a mattress using the e-commerce giant, you may get a shorter trial period compared to what the manufacturer offers.
Cheapism.com's Latham calls out Brentwood Home, a luxury mattress and bedding brand whose products are available for purchase on Amazon in addition to its own site. When you buy a mattress from BrentwoodHome.com, your purchase comes with a one-year risk-free trial period. This means you can return the mattress (in good condition) for a full refund up to 365 days after purchase.
If you buy one of their mattresses that's sold by and shipped from Amazon, you only have 30 days to return it if you're not satisfied. You'll also miss out on exclusive manufacturer discounts by opting to shop on Amazon.
