Amazon Prime Day 2018: Everything You Need to Know
What is Amazon Prime Day?
It's a roughly 30-hour window in which the Internet trips over itself because Amazon offers a slew of crazy deals that only Amazon Prime subscribers are allowed to take advantage of. Tech, kitchen gear, furniture, grooming, clothing, those handy USB travel plugs that let you charge two things at once, you name it.
When is Prime Day?
UPDATE: The party kicks off Monday, July 16, at 3 P.M. EST and runs for 36 hours, into the 17th. We...don't...know? Yet. But our Seattle e-commerce overlords have trained us to expect it in mid-July. Last year it went down on July 11. So based on our own response to the July calendar page flip, it can't be far off. Rest assured we'll update you the moment we know more. Especially if you sign up for our newsletter.
Why should I care about Prime Day?
This is basically Amazon's Black Friday, except Black Friday is Amazon's Black Friday, so it's like a second, warmer Black Friday with no turkey hangover. There will probably be some once-in-a-blue-moon deals on offer, and the hottest ones will run out almost as fast as you can click "add to cart." Menswear deals? Yes, Amazon's a bit of a menswear desert, but it does sell a few brands we ride for). Prime Day promises to be a solid opportunity to stock up on summer essentials you can wear right now (like a swimsuit), closet necessities, and plenty of fall gear. It's almost certainly the most economical moment to do a full restock of your Dopp kit. And, yeah, if you've been waiting to pull the trigger on home-entertainment gear or a smart home device, Prime Day will be big. The Echoes will flow. (Already the Echo Show is $100 off.)
Also, 10 percent off at Whole Foods if you're a Prime member. Get crazy with the bulk roasted almonds.
Is Prime Day a mildly craven capitalistic construct determined to invoke a Pavlovian FOMO response rooted in Western materialism?
Yes, sure, of course, but also you need a new portable battery for your phone and you're not a Franciscan monk. Besides, if you already have an Amazon Prime account, then Prime Day is, like, 93 percent of the perks. That and streaming Veep if you don't have your parents' HBO password.
How can I, a popular and busy person, stay abreast of all the crucial Prime Day info and deals?
Great question. To get the drop on Prime Day details as they're announced and to see GQ-approved picks as they pop up in real time, follow our @BestStuff handle on Twitter and subscribe to GQ's Best Stuff newsletter. Also, if you're not a Prime subscriber, now is a smart time to take advantage of the free 30-day trial.
This Prime Day sounds truly life-giving. But what should I do until then?
So much. Make the best hamburger you've ever made. Maybe host a low-key summer hang with your friends. If you're dead set on shopping, take advantage of the Fourth of July sales going on or check out some new arrivals at GQ Recommends. Did we mention we have a newsletter?
