Everything you need to know about Australia’s first Amazon Prime Day

AUSTRALIA’S first ever Amazon Prime Day is finally here — so here’s every hack you need to know to shop the online sale event.

FROM noon today, Aussies will finally be able to shop the Amazon Prime Day sale which has, until now, been restricted to overseas customers.

While most of the deals will only be known once the clock hits midday, some have already started popping up online.

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So far, we know local shoppers will be able to score deals on thousands of items including books, electronics, games and more.

Here’s everything you need to know about the event — and how to bag the best bargains.

WHAT IS AMAZON PRIME?

The annual online sales event officially launches for the first time in Australia at 12pm today, following Amazon’s hotly anticipated launch Down Under in December last year.

The sale will last for 36 hours until midnight tomorrow, and is only available to Amazon Prime members. But for those who aren’t members, customers are able to sign up for a free 30-day trial.

At the end of the trial period, a special introductory offer means membership will cost $4.99 a month until 31 January 2019, when it will increase to $6.99 a month.

Benefits include free delivery on a range of items.

Prime Day first launched in the US in 2015 as a one-day sales event to mark the company’s 20th birthday.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Amazon Prime members must be signed into their account from noon in order to view and shop the best deals.

The sale works in a similar way to online events such as Click Frenzy and Cyber Monday, as there will be extra super deals available for a limited time only, on top of the regular discounts.

These include “Lightning Deals”, which are promotions that appear for a limited time only while stocks last.

There will be Lightning Deals across all categories, and they will be restricted to just one purchase per customer.

There will be special “Spotlight Deals” for certain popular products as well, which will appear live throughout Prime day or while stocks last.

Meanwhile, there will also be a “Join Waitlist” option for shoppers who missed out on a sellout item.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

According to comparison site finder.com.au’s editor-in-chief Angus Kidman, the best Amazon Prime hack is to sign up to a 30-day free trial to see what deals are available.

“That way you’re not committing to the ongoing Prime monthly fee, but can check out the sale and test out other perks like free shipping and Amazon Prime Video. Just remember to unsubscribe before the end of the 30 days,” Mr Kidman warned.

“While Amazon Prime’s shipping speed might fall short of Aussies’ expectations based on what Amazon offers overseas, it is pretty much on par with similar services such as eBay Plus and Shipster.

“The reality is that very few brands offer same-day delivery in Australia.”

Shoppers can also download the Amazon app to keep an eye on deals by clicking on “Today’s Deals” and then “Upcoming” to see all the Prime deals before they go live.

If a customer is interested in a discount, they can “Watch this Deal” ahead of the launch.

WHAT ARE THE BEST DEALS?

New deals are continually being revealed on the site, but here are some of the best so far:

• Echo Plus for $114.50, down from the usual price of $229

Echo Plus is selling for $114.50. Picture: Amazon.com.au

• Echo Spot for $149, down from $199

• $39 for an Echo Dot, instead of $79

• Amazon Echo is being sold for $109, down from $149

• The Fire TV Stick Basic Edition is available for $49, a saving of $20

• Bag a one-month supply of Huggies nappies for $29.99

• Bose QC35 Series II Wireless Headphones are selling for $329.99, down from $415

• Maclaren M-01 strollers are on sale for $100 instead of $139.99

• $519 for a PS4 Pro 1TB Console with Bonus Fortnite Content

• The Maxi Cosi car seat is $264, down from $379.99

• Up to 50 per cent off selected men’s personal care products

• Up to 50 per cent of women’s watches

• FIFA 18 Xbox One and FIFA 18 PS4 for $9.99

The event will also include a range of other deals such as:

• Free Kindle Unlimited for two months

• Free Audible for three months, or download one audiobook for free

• Shoppers who spend $50 or more will receive 20 per cent off select Amazon Everyday Essential products, which include cleaning supplies, nappies, vitamins and more

• Four months of Amazon Music Unlimited for $0.99

• Prime members who have not streamed a title from Prime Video before can get a $10 credit for streaming a title between now and the end of Prime Day

• Free gameplay as Twitch Prime gives away a free PC game every day until July 18, including titles like Pillars of Eternity and Brutal Legend

• Up to 60 per cent off fashion, including brands such as Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and Lorna Jane

• There will also be deals on video game consoles and games including Call of Duty WWII, and Far Cry 5, headphones from Sony and Bose, and cosmetic brands such as Maybelline, Rimmel and L’Oreal Paris.

More to come.

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