Last week I was indulging in a book haul on Amazon.
I only shop there once or twice a month, so I haven’t signed up for a Prime Membership yet. Instead, I wait until my cart reaches the free shipping threshold.
But you know how that goes.
I added titles to my cart until I was close — I landed at $32.16 in new and used books. I needed a couple of dollars more to qualify for free delivery.
What do you usually do in that spot?
Probably what I considered: head back to my Wish List and toss another item into the cart.
But those wishlist picks were priced between $10–$20. Adding any of them would have pushed my order well past $40, which I was trying to avoid.
How I Got Free Shipping Without a Prime Membership
Luckily, a friend told me about this Amazon Filler Item Finder — it’s awesome!
I typed in the amount I needed to reach the free shipping minimum — $2.84 — and the site returned a list of products in that price range.
And I meanto the penny. The top eight items lined up exactly at $2.84, and the top 26 were within ten cents.
I picked Oral-B Glide 3D White Floss Picks for $2.85.
So instead of paying $9 for shipping or spending an extra $10–$20 on another book from my Wish List, I spent a couple of bucks on something useful. I saved $9.44 on shipping — that’s a net savings of $6.59!
A coworker mentioned it’s also a smart way to use up gift card balances without overspending.
What do you usually do when you have a few dollars left on a gift card? You either buy something priced well above that balance, or you let the remaining amount sit idle. Why not spend just those few dollars on a small item instead?
This tool can help you save a surprising amount over time by preventing you from overspending to reach free-shipping thresholds.
It was also a fun, quick way to find something I wanted to try but wouldn’t normally buy.
Floss picks aren’t typically on my shopping list — but in this case, they helped me save nearly $7 AND I got to try something new.
More Ways to Get Free Shipping on Amazon
Want other strategies to get free shipping on Amazon without a Prime subscription?
Before using the Filler Item Finder, make a shortlist of small staples you buy routinely. Remembering to toss these little essentials or treats into your cart could help you meet the free shipping minimum with things you’d buy anyway.
Amazon also provides free shipping on some low-cost products and a selection of Add-on Items that qualify for free shipping on orders of $25 or more. Another helpful resource is how to get free shipping on amazon prime, which lays out additional tips.
Are Filler Items Worth It?
If you rarely buy from Amazon like I do, a Prime membership would likely cost more than it saves.
For instance, if I must add $2.84 in filler items to unlock free shipping each time I shop, I’d need roughly 35 orders a year — about three per month — to equal the $99 annual Prime fee.
That sounds like a lot of purchases for me right now. I’ll stick with buying dental floss to keep costs down.
Your turn: Have you ever found yourself overspending just to get “free” shipping on Amazon? Will you try the Filler Item Finder next time?
Disclosure: We have a serious Taco Bell weakness around here. The affiliate links in this post help us order off the dollar menu. Thanks for your support!
Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a staff writer at Savinly. She’s written for The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, Writer’s Digest and more, and she’s proud to finally be flossing every day.
