The rhythm of Amazon.co.uk prices
Four events do most of the heavy lifting on Amazon.co.uk every year: the January sales, Prime Day in July (for Prime members), Prime Big Deal Days in October and Black Friday week, which runs into Cyber Monday. Boxing Day adds a final round of discounts on whatever did not sell before Christmas. Between them sit quieter weeks when prices drift back up.
What to buy in which sale
- TVs, laptops and headphones: Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Boxing Day, when last year’s models are cleared. See our TV buy-or-skip list for the usual price of each model.
- Amazon devices (Echo, Kindle, Fire TV, Ring, Blink): Prime Day and Prime Big Deal Days, often at their lowest price of the year.
- Kitchen kit such as air fryers, coffee machines and stand mixers: Prime Day and Black Friday.
- Dehumidifiers and heated airers: late summer, before the damp months, when stock is good and prices have not climbed.
- Fans and garden tools: early spring, before the first warm weekend.
Spotting a fake deal
The struck-out “was” or RRP price is the least useful number on the page. Many products almost never sell at that price, so a big percentage off can still be the normal price. Instead, compare the deal with the usual price range we show on every Buyrskip product page: if the deal is inside that range, it is an ordinary price; if it is below, it is a real deal.
Your rights still apply
- Returns: most items bought online can be returned within 14 days of delivery under the Consumer Contracts Regulations, and Amazon often extends returns for items bought in November and December into January.
- Faulty goods: under the Consumer Rights Act you can reject a faulty product for a full refund within 30 days.
- Marketplace sellers: check who the seller is. “Dispatched from and sold by Amazon” is the simplest for returns and warranty claims.
The Buyrskip way
Decide what to buy before the sale starts, using our buy-or-skip lists and comparisons, write down the usual price and wait. When the sale price drops below that range, buy it. If it does not, skip the sale; another one is never far away.
Frequently asked questions
Which Amazon UK sale is the biggest?
Black Friday week, which now runs for most of late November into Cyber Monday. It has the most categories on offer, with Prime Day in July a close second for Amazon’s own devices.
Do I need Prime for Black Friday deals?
No. Most Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on Amazon.co.uk are open to everyone, although some are Prime-only. Prime Day and Prime Big Deal Days deals do need a Prime membership, and a free trial counts.
Should I wait for a sale to buy a dehumidifier?
Only if the sale lands before you need it. Prices rise and stock thins out once the damp autumn weather arrives, so buying in late summer usually beats waiting for Black Friday.
How do I know if a deal is real?
Compare the price with the usual price range we show on every product page, or look up the price history with a tracker such as Keepa or camelcamelcamel. If the deal is not below the usual range, it is not a deal.