For the longest time I avoided Amazon.com’s Subscribe & Save feature because I thought there would be a catch. There isn’t. It is a no-obligations cancel-anytime way to shop for groceries and supplies at a further discounted rate beyond that already offered by Amazon. Here is some info and some tips, using this bag of pistachios as an example.
- Regular delivery of this item is $12.78. Subscribe & Save offers the item at $10.86 — 15% off. Another way to view this is every 6th or 7th purchase is free.
- By agreeing to receive multiple shipments of an item you get the 15% discount and free shipping–but if you want you can immediately cancel your subscription and keep the discount on just the single delivery. No obligation. Really.
- Like Amazon Prime, shipping is free–but it isn’t 2nd day shipping. However, in Los Angeles where I reside, my groceries show up the day after shipping anyway.
- Subscribe & Save items are shipped together mid-month on the 15th.
- Amazon gives you a heads up that your groceries will be shipping, via e-mail. You have about a week to make adjustment to your subscriptions.
- You get grandfathered into the discounts, so avoid canceling subscriptions and postpone instead. For example, if you get a 15% discount on pistachios and you only postpone deliveries but never cancel your subscription, you can keep that discount even though newcomers might be getting a 5% discount. The discount does fluctuate so keep yourself locked in on a good discount. Specifically, try to avoid canceling subscriptions unless you are certain you don’t ever want the item again.
So take the time to comb your house for groceries and supplies that you can purchase cheaply and in bulk using Amazon Subscribe & Save. These items can range from toothpaste to toilet paper, AA batteries, almond flour, dishwashing liquid, and honey. Oh, and vitamins. Have a look at my Paleo page if you are searching for something to buy.