Lauren Schwarn, Neldwallet
Amazon’s famous Prime Day sale took place from July 8th to 11th and is back this summer. Looking back at the past few years, I noticed patterns when I shopped with great deals.
There’s a lot of hype leading up to the sale, but when it’s over, I’m a bit frustrated.
The problem is not always the transaction itself, but the way I shop. I have made my temptation and fear of missing out. And I know I’m not the only one.
So I asked several of my fellow personal financial writers to join me to share our biggest Prime Day blunt instrument.
What are your biggest Prime Day regrets?
Cordless LED Table Lamp
Amanda Barroso: “I lost the charge because it was cute for about an hour. The lamp wasn’t on my list, but I saw a lot of people on my social media feed linking to similar products.
Unplanned items
Lauren Schwarn: “Last year I turned to my son’s birthday Yoto Mini Audio Player. I hooked up a starter pack bundle for $63.99 ($16 discount) on Prime Day. But I got caught up in browsing other deals. I’ll use it elsewhere. Especially considering that one of the clips broke with my thick hair after three uses.”
Expensive soundbar
Tommy Tyndal: “It wasn’t Prime Day in July, but I spent over $700 on the Sonos Soundbar on Amazon’s Prime Big Deal day last October.
What did you learn?
It’s important to prepare for returns.
Amanda Barroso: “Just because influencers make something useful or cute on social media doesn’t mean it’s worth your money or worth it. I’m still eager to try out a few things, but I’m always keeping a package of items like this one easily, making sure they’re being sold and shipped by Amazon.
It’s best to stick to your list.
Lauren Schwarn: “The discount alone isn’t enough reason to buy something. If the item isn’t on my list, it probably doesn’t belong to my cart. And if you’ve never heard of a brand before, it’s best to avoid it. This year, I’ll focus on the items I really need and ignore it.
It’s easy for excitement to cloud your judgment.
Tommy Tyndal: “I’m as impressive and hyped as everyone else. I hate spending so much on one item, and after opening it and setting it up I’ve been back in the box for an hour.
How to avoid the unfortunate choices on this major day
Buyer regret happens to our best. However, with a little preparation, you may not spare this year. This is what you can learn from our past mistakes:
Don’t shop just because there’s a sale. It’s hard not to get sucked into Prime Day or competing sales. But if you don’t need anything now, there’s no embarrassment to let them sit. Create a list. If you want to check out the sale, be prepared. Plan what you’ll buy in advance and consider storing the items you need in your shopping cart. This reduces the temptation to view sales dates. Set a budget for Impulse purchases. If you don’t want to fully view the transaction, set spending limits just for voluntary purchases. If you cannot return it, you can comfortably part with your order. Please read the product page carefully. Check out item descriptions, specifications and reviews to set your expectations better. Also look for more details on our shipping and return policy. Stick to a reputable brand if possible, and stick carefully to third-party sellers with their vets.
Lauren Schwarn writes for Nald Wallet. Email: lschwahn@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @lauren_schwahn.
Article Finance writers share their regrets about Prime Days, which originally appeared on Nerdwallet.
Original issue: July 8, 2025 2:00pm EDT
