You may already know that your computer or smartphone remembers everything you search for and uses this information to send you specific advertisements. You may also have seen prices on Amazon increase overnight.
In this article, we will cover if Amazon changes prices based on these cookies.
Does Amazon Change Prices Based on Cookies?
Although Amazon has never admitted it to the public, they absolutely change their prices based on cookies. Based on the data they collect from your searches on the site and the other sites you visit, Amazon will adjust the prices on the items you want.
There is a lot to understand about Amazon’s price change algorithms and cookie data collection. Luckily, we have everything you need to know about keeping your Amazon prices as low as possible right here!
Does Amazon Change Prices Based on User?
Amazon changes its prices constantly and for many reasons, including who the user is.
If you don’t know much about cookies, here’s what you need to know: Cookies are small files that websites send to your computer or phone to monitor your searches and learn all about you.
These days, almost every website uses them to advertise and encourage sales, and Amazon specifically uses these cookies to anticipate what you might want or are going to purchase.
Based on the information they gather, Amazon will change the prices based on your possible future purchases.
The site knows if you typically spend more on high-end products and will put those items at higher prices just for you, and they know if you are on a budget and will show items that are “discounted” even if they are at their regular price to entice you to make the purchase.
Why Do Amazon Prices Change?
Not only does Amazon use cookies to change the prices for each customer, but they also have site-wide algorithms that change the prices throughout the day.
On average, Amazon changes the prices of its items 2.5 million times a day! They change the costs based on supply, demand, competition, customer interaction, and profitable times of the day.
Amazon changes the prices in order to get the most money and purchases out of its customers. So although their prices are still usually less expensive than other online retailers, you are certainly being targeted to pay more for items you really want.
Does Amazon Always Increase the Price After Viewing
While the price of an item on Amazon is likely to increase after you have viewed it, there is also a chance the price will go down!
It’s important to understand that Amazon knows you; they know your spending habits and can use your personality to ensure you make a purchase.
If the cookies show that you are on a budget, Amazon might make the price look discounted after you have already searched for a product in order to solidify the sale.
Whereas if it seems like you really want the product no matter the price, Amazon will most likely increase the price.
How Do I Get Amazon to Lower My Price?
Although you cannot change the Amazon algorithm or really even understand it as it is so complicated, there are a few tricks you can use to get Amazon to lower your prices.
- Use Amazon’s Daily Deals page to make your purchases.
- Make a deals watchlist.
- Use Amazon Price Protection. If you purchase an item and it decreases in price within seven days of the order, you can apply to only pay the discounted price.
- Opt for a Prime membership. While it does require a monthly subscription, prices are usually lower for members.
It requires a little more effort, but shopping on Amazon with these tactics can get you a lower price on all your favorite items!
When Are Amazon Prices Lowest?
As you now know, Amazon changes its prices almost minute by minute, and they certainly change them drastically throughout different times of the year.
Special events such as Prime Day, Cyber Monday, Black Friday, and New Year’s Eve have the lowest prices for most items on Amazon. As a general rule of thumb, in order to get the cheapest prices, avoid making purchases directly before Christmas.
Even though it’s quite hard to pin down, the lowest prices on Amazon are usually between 4:00 AM and 12:00 PM. So if you don’t want to wait for a certain day of the year, it might be best to place your order in the morning!
Are Amazon Prices Cheaper at Night?
Here’s the thing, although technically, Amazon’s algorithm typically means it will be less expensive to make a purchase in the early hours of the morning, or for night owls, late at night, the truth is that the price differences are based more on your habits than on the time of the day.
So if Amazon knows you’re usually up browsing and purchasing late at night based on the cookies they’ve collected, the prices you see will not be cheaper at night.
On the other hand, if you are never online at night, you might be able to find some deals! It varies so much that it’s quite hard to say for sure.
How to Prevent Prices From Fluctuating on Amazon
Essentially, it’s almost impossible to prevent prices from fluctuating on Amazon. The site uses cookies from your devices, time of day, times of the year, previous purchases, items you’ve viewed, and so much more to adjust their prices to ensure you make a purchase.
While you can keep an eye on the fluctuation to use it to your advantage, you cannot stop it from happening.
Does Amazon Notify About Price Changes?
You can get notifications about price changes on Amazon by creating a deals watchlist or with the Shopping Price Alert app.
Through these two options, you can carefully select the items you want to purchase and watch as the price fluctuates so you can decide when to buy.
It’s important to note that when you select items to watch, it means that Amazon knows you want them, and even though they may show you “discounted” prices, they could still be more expensive than if you never searched for them.
Can I Get a Refund if the Price Changes After Ordering?
You can get a refund if the price changes after ordering! However, there are several rules in place that you have to follow in order to get the price difference returned to your account.
In order to get the refund, you need to apply with the customer service team within seven days of the original purchase. You can either call their service line at 1 (888) 280-4331 or start a live chat session.
Once you apply for the refund, if you get approved, it may take over a week for the money to be returned to your account.
Conclusion
Based on the cookies Amazon collects from your searches on the site and the other sites you visit, Amazon will change the prices of the items you want. Even though their algorithms are not public knowledge, it is quite clear that they use cookies to adjust pricing.
