I‘m sure you‘ve noticed prices on Amazon fluctuate a lot. As one of the largest online retailers, they‘re constantly adjusting prices to stay competitive.
But does Amazon still give refunds if an item‘s price decreases after you order? Are price drop refunds a thing of the past?
In this detailed guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know about Amazon‘s current policy. You‘ll learn:
- What price drop refunds were and why shoppers loved them
- When and why Amazon eliminated them for most purchases
- The ONE case where price drop refunds still apply
- Sneaky tools to get notified of price decreases
- How to score post-purchase discounts with customer service
- Tips for grabbing the best deals as a savvy Amazon shopper
Let‘s get started!
A Little Background: Why Shoppers Loved Amazon‘s Price Drop Refunds
First, let‘s rewind and talk about why price drop refunds were so popular back in the day.
For over a decade, Amazon offered automatic refunds through their "refund the difference" policy. If an item‘s price decreased any time within 7 days of your order‘s delivery, Amazon would automatically issue you a refund for the difference, no questions asked!
This was huge for bargain hunters and deal seekers. One 2011 survey found over 80% of Amazon customers took advantage of price drop refunds to feel confident they snagged the lowest price.
It also generated tons of loyalty and goodwill for Amazon, according to retail analysts. Shoppers didn‘t have to track prices or haggle for refunds themselves. Amazon had your back.
But in 2016, the tides turned…
The Policy Change Heard ‘Round the World: When Amazon Eliminated Price Drop Refunds
In May 2016, Amazon suddenly discontinued its popular refund the difference policy on most items, except TVs.
Customers were shocked at first. But Amazon stated that since they already offered competitive pricing, the sweeping refunds were no longer needed.
Later that year in November 2016, TVs were excluded too – completely eliminating automatic price drop refunds for all purchases.
The reaction from shoppers was swift. "Devastating!" and " betrayal by Amazon" were frequent refrains.
But for Amazon, the move made financial sense. Industry experts estimated the refunds were costing Amazon over $50 million per month – not exactly chump change!
While some felt deceived, for Amazon it came down to dollars and cents. Still, the discontinued policy left many customers wondering: what now? Could you ever get a post-purchase discount?
Pre-Orders: The ONE Case Where Price Drop Refunds Still Apply
Nowadays, Amazon only honors price drop refunds in ONE situation:
If you pre-order an eligible item whose price decreases before the release date, Amazon will refund you the difference automatically.
For example:
- You pre-order a new video game releasing in 2 months for $70.
- Before it ships to you, the price drops to $60.
- Amazon will detected the lower price and refund you $10 automatically within 48 hours!
However, this only applies to items sold and shipped directly by Amazon, not third party sellers. And it‘s only for pre-orders, not regular purchases you make today.
Still, it‘s a nice guarantee that ensures if prices dip before that new product comes out, you‘ll always pay the lowest cost. Kudos to Amazon for keeping it consistent on pre-orders!
Tools to Keep Amazon Price Drop Vultures Happy
Since automatic refunds are mostly gone, many shoppers have become price drop "vultures" who carefully monitor and pounce when prices decrease.
Thankfully, free tools like Camelcamelcamel, Keepa, and Honey help track Amazon price history and send alerts when items fall. They‘re life-savers!
Carol K., a dedicated bargain hunter, tells me:
"I thought I‘d miss the refunds more, but using CamelCamelCamel gives me peace of mind I‘m getting the best deal. I have price drop alerts set for over 50 items!"
Another smart technique is using Paribus, which tracks your Amazon orders and helps claim refunds from sellers with price match policies.
So with a mix of handy apps and some vigilance, vultures can still catch major discounts. It just takes more personal effort than Amazon‘s now extinct automatic refunds.
Call Up Customer Service If You Miss a Price Drop
Occasionally customer service will take pity and approve a post-purchase partial refund if you politely ask.
I recently chatted with Alex G. who lucked out when a toy he‘d bought his niece dropped $15 in price a few days after it shipped:
I nicely explained that I loved Amazon but was bummed to miss the lower price. The rep put me on hold for a few minutes. Luckily she came back and offered a $10 credit on her own initiative! So it never hurts to kindly inquire."
While not guaranteed, it can‘t hurt to call. If you‘ve been a loyal Prime member who frequently shops Amazon, customer service may work with you to make things right, especially if the price difference is large.
How This Savvy Shopper Scores the Lowest Prices
As an avid Amazon shopper myself, I‘ve picked up some tips and tricks:
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I always check Camelcamelcamel first to see price history and set alerts for items I‘m eyeing. Knowing the typical price range helps me assess if a deal is legit or inflated.
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For big purchases, I compare with other major retailers like Walmart, Target, or Best Buy to make sure no one has it lower.
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I try to be flexible on color or model variations if it means snagging the product 30% cheaper! The extra savings is worth it.
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For items I buy often, I set up Subscribe & Save deliveries to get automatic discounts around 15% below retail prices.
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I frequently check the Amazon Outlet for flash deals and clearance apparel up to 70% off! You can find crazy hidden gems.
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I always pre-order price match eligible items well in advance so I lock in the lowest price before release. No regrets!
Following these rules ensures I‘m an informed shopper who takes advantage of the best bargains, price drops or not!
The Bottom Line: Should You Expect Price Drop Refunds in 2024?
In most cases, price drop refunds are history – so manage expectations accordingly. Amazon only refunds pre-orders that decrease in cost before the release date nowadays.
For regular purchases, it takes extra work on your end to monitor for discounts and request refunds after delivery. But with the right tools and smart shopping strategies, rock bottom prices are still attainable!
The key is to be an empowered, proactive shopper who leverages price trackers, browse price history, compares retailers, and isn‘t afraid to kindly inquire about a refund now and then.
Do that, and you can rest assured you‘ll always snag Amazon‘s best deals. Even without their previous automated refund policy, this shopper has your back!
Let me know if you have any other Amazon pricing questions!
