Amazon.com

Amazon.com: the online superstore! If you only have time to check one website to compare prices before you buy, then Amazon.com should be that website! A huge selection and competitive prices provide real opportunities to save.

What It Does

Amazon.com, the colossal online marketplace, has firmly established itself as the go-to digital superstore, offering an unparalleled range of products and services. From books, electronics, and fashion to groceries and beyond, Amazon has virtually everything you could think of. But it's not just the variety that makes Amazon stand out; it's the array of features designed to save users money and enhance their shopping experience.

How It Saves You Money

• Price Comparisons: The site has competitive pricing and makes it easy to compare prices on similar products from other sites to ensure you're getting the best deal.
• Amazon Outlet: Overstock items are offered at significantly reduced prices of up to 50% off. These products typically come with full manufacturers’ warranties, and are backed by Amazon's return policy.
• Amazon Renewed: Expertly refurbished products at great prices. These products do not typically come with manufacturers’ warranties, but may come with the 90-day Amazon Renewed Guarantee (if specifically mentioned on the product detail page) and are also backed by Amazon's return policy.
• Amazon Warehouse: Great deals on quality pre-owned, used, and open box products. This merchandise consists of used products in various levels of condition: Like New, Very Good, Good, and Acceptable. These products do not typically come with manufacturers’ warranties, but are backed by Amazon's return policy.
• Amazon Deals: Limited-time sales - some deeply discounted.
• Prime Membership: Perhaps Amazon's most famous feature, Prime membership offers free two-day shipping on millions of items, along with exclusive access to deals, movies, TV shows, and music streaming. The annual fee can quickly pay for itself for active shoppers.
• Coupons: Shoppers can clip coupons on everyday essentials and popular products for instant savings at checkout.
  
• Subscribe & Save: This service allows users to save up to 15% and receive free shipping on recurring deliveries of items they use frequently, such as household supplies or personal care items.
• Reviews: A very large number of product reviews helps users buy the better performing products and avoid the more problematic ones.
• Apply for an Amazon Store Card and receive a 5% rebate on all purchases (you must be an Amazon Prime member).
• Apply for an Amazon Rewards Visa Card and receive a 3% rebate on all Amazon purchases and a 1 to 2 percent rebate on all non-Amazon purchases.

 Amazon's Services

• Prime Video: A streaming service with a vast library of movies and TV shows.
• Amazon Music: Millions of songs and podcasts available for streaming.
• Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market: Grocery delivery and pickup services in select cities.
• Kindle eBooks: A massive selection of digital books, including many exclusive titles.
• Amazon Echo and Alexa: Smart home devices and digital assistant services for an interconnected home experience.

Competitors and Comparison

Amazon faces stiff competition from other e-commerce giants and specialty retailers such as Walmart, eBay, and Target. Each competitor brings something unique to the table, such as eBay's auction system and Walmart and Target's extensive physical presence and online operations.      

• Pros:

• Vast Selection: Amazon’s product range is unrivaled.
• Convenience: Shopping is easy and fast, with various delivery options to meet different needs.
• Price Savings: Through deals, memberships, and comparison tools, shoppers can save significantly.
• Integrated Services: Amazon’s ecosystem of services adds value beyond shopping.

• Cons:

• Overwhelming Choice: The sheer volume of products can be daunting.
• Membership Cost: Prime membership, while valuable, comes at a cost.
• Marketplace Complexity: With third-party sellers, there can be variations in product quality and service.

Accessibility

Amazon enhances shopping convenience with a comprehensive mobile app, ensuring that deals, product searches, and account management are always within each, regardless of where you are or what device you're using.

Other Things To Know

• Amazon works with many non-Amazon, third-party companies that sell on its site. These are the companies that make up the Amazon Marketplace. These companies may have policies - including return and refund policies - that differ from Amazon's. Make sure you understand their policies before you order.
• For all products on its site, Amazon discloses the company actually selling the product, as well as the company shipping the product. In the product description, look for the words "ships from" and/or "sold by" along with the name of the company responsible for each. Those products with "ships from and sold by Amazon.com" typically provide the most consistent savings as well as the full benefit of all that Amazon offers - including its Prime and free shipping options, as well as its full return and refund policies.

Notice: All of the above are subject to Amazon.com's terms, conditions, notices, policies, and any other limitations or restrictions it imposes for the use of its site and the services and/or products it provides.