Price Tracking 101: Your First Steps

Welcome to the world of smart shopping! This beginner’s guide will teach you everything you need to know about tracking Amazon prices and saving money on every purchase.

Why Track Prices?

The Reality of Dynamic Pricing:

• Amazon uses automated systems that frequently adjust prices
• Prices can fluctuate based on demand, inventory, and competition
• The same product may have different prices throughout the month
• Tracking helps you identify patterns and optimal buying times

Benefits of Price Tracking:

• Avoid buying at peak prices
• Identify genuine sales vs. regular price fluctuations
• Make informed purchasing decisions
• Build patience for non-urgent purchases

Example: A pair of headphones might cost $200 today but drop to $160 next week during a promotion. Price tracking helps you spot these opportunities.

Potential Savings by Category:

Understanding Price Patterns

Weekly Patterns

Prices may show some weekly tendencies:

Note: Patterns vary by product category and aren’t guaranteed

Monthly Patterns

Understanding monthly cycles helps you time purchases:

Beginning of Month (Days 1-10)

• Typical pattern: New inventory and fresh pricing
• Consider: Starting to track items of interest
• Look for: Previous month’s clearance items

Mid-Month (Days 11-20)

• Typical pattern: Stabilized pricing
• Consider: Regular purchases if needed
• Look for: Flash sales and limited-time offers

End of Month (Days 21-31)

• Typical pattern: Potential clearance for new stock
• Consider: May see more promotions
• Look for: End-of-month deals

Seasonal Patterns

Plan your major purchases around these patterns:

January - Post-Holiday Period

• Often discounted: Holiday items, winter clothing, some electronics
• Consider waiting on: Spring items (may be at regular price)
• Opportunity: Clearance sales common

March/April - Spring Season

• Often promoted: Home organization, cleaning supplies
• Consider timing: Summer items may drop later
• Opportunity: Spring cleaning promotions

July - Major Sales Events

• Often discounted: Amazon devices, various electronics
• Consider timing: Back-to-school items may be cheaper later
• Opportunity: Prime Day and competitive sales

August - Back-to-School Season

• Often promoted: School supplies, electronics, clothing
• Consider waiting on: Fall seasonal items
• Opportunity: Education-related discounts

November - Black Friday/Cyber Monday

• Widely discounted: Many categories see promotions
• Be careful: Verify deals with price history
• Opportunity: Genuine discounts mixed with regular prices

December - Holiday Shopping

• Often promoted: Toys, gifts, seasonal items
• Consider: Prices may increase closer to holidays
• Opportunity: Early month often better than late

Setting Your First Alert

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Find Your Product

• Go to DealDog.com
• Paste the Amazon URL or ASIN
• Click “Track This Product”

Step 2: Analyze the Price History

Look at the 90-day chart and identify:

• Current price (where we are now)
• Average price (the middle line)
• Historical low (the bottom point)
• Price volatility (how much it changes)

Step 3: Set Your Target Price

For different scenarios:

Items You Need Soon:

• Set a reasonable target below current price
• Adjust if market conditions change
• Balance savings with urgency

Wish List Items:

• Set an ambitious but realistic target
• Be prepared to wait for the right price
• Review historical lows for context

Expensive Items ($500+):

• Track for several weeks to understand patterns
• Consider multiple alert thresholds
• Major sales events may offer better prices

Step 4: Configure Notifications

• Email alerts: For non-urgent items
• SMS alerts: For hot deals
• Push notifications: For price mistakes
• Daily digest: For portfolio overview

Reading Price Charts

Understanding Chart Elements:

The Basics:

• Green line: Daily price points
• Red sections: Price increases
• Blue markers: Historical lows
• Yellow highlights: Your purchase points
• Dotted line: Your target price
• Shaded area: Sale periods

What to Look For:

Volatility Indicators:

• High volatility (jagged line): Wait for drops
• Low volatility (smooth line): Less likely to drop
• Seasonal spikes: Predictable patterns
• Random drops: Algorithm pricing

Trend Analysis:

• Upward trend: Rising demand or inflation
• Downward trend: Declining popularity
• Flat trend: Stable, controlled pricing
• Cyclical pattern: Regular sales rhythm

Red Flags to Avoid:

⚠️ Warning Signs:

• Sudden spike before “sale”
• Price higher than 90-day average
• No variation (might be price-controlled)
• Suspicious pattern before shopping events

Green Flags to Buy:

✅ Good Signs:

• At or below historical low
• Consistent downward trend
• End of typical cycle low
• Multiple indicators align

Pro Tips from Power Users

1. The Patience Principle

Consider tracking before buying non-urgent items

• Monitor prices for a few weeks when possible
• Many items will go on sale if you wait
• Helps distinguish needs from wants
• Builds better shopping habits

2. Stack Your Discounts

Combine multiple savings methods:

3. Alternative Tracking

Don’t just track one option:

• Track competing products
• Track different colors/sizes (often different prices)
• Track bundles vs. individual items
• Track used/refurbished options

Example:

• Blue iPhone case: $39.99
• Black iPhone case: $24.99 (same product!)
• Bundle with screen protector: $29.99 (better value)

4. Timing Strategy

For Consumables:

• Buy only at historical lows
• Stock up during deep discounts
• Track Subscribe & Save changes

For Electronics:

• Buy 2-3 months after release
• Avoid first week of launch
• Wait for second generation

For Seasonal Items:

• Buy off-season (winter coats in spring)
• Track year-round for best prices
• Set alerts 3-6 months early

5. The Camel Method

Named after CamelCamelCamel, this proven strategy works:

1. Review the price history over recent months
2. Identify a reasonable target price below average
3. Set an alert and wait patiently
4. Act quickly when your target is reached
5. Adjust expectations based on results

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Beginner Mistakes:

1. Setting Unrealistic Targets

• ❌ Setting alert at 50% off for stable items
• ✅ Use historical data to set achievable targets

2. Tracking Too Many Items

• ❌ Tracking 100+ random products
• ✅ Focus on 10-20 items you actually want

3. Ignoring Patterns

• ❌ Buying on Monday morning
• ✅ Wait for Sunday evening/Thursday

4. Falling for Fake Sales

• ❌ Trusting “% off” claims
• ✅ Verify with price history

5. Being Impatient

• ❌ Buying after 2 days of tracking
• ✅ Wait minimum 2 weeks for patterns

Your First Week Action Plan

Day 1: Setup

• [ ] Create DealDog account
• [ ] Install browser extension
• [ ] Add 5 items you want to tracking

Day 2: Learn

• [ ] Read your first price charts
• [ ] Identify patterns in your items
• [ ] Set your first price alerts

Day 3-4: Explore

• [ ] Browse price drop feed
• [ ] Join community forums
• [ ] Track 5 more items

Day 5-6: Optimize

• [ ] Adjust alert thresholds
• [ ] Try different notification methods
• [ ] Research alternative products

Day 7: Review

• [ ] Check weekly patterns
• [ ] Celebrate first savings
• [ ] Plan next week’s tracking

Advanced Features to Explore

Once you’re comfortable with basics:

Portfolio Tracking

• Track total savings
• Monitor price trends
• Export data for analysis
• Share lists with family

Automated Buying

• Set buy triggers
• Quantity limits
• Budget controls
• Auto-reorder supplies

Price Prediction

• AI-powered forecasts
• Seasonal adjustments
• Sale probability scores
• Best time to buy calculator

Social Features

• Share deals with friends
• Group buying power
• Community alerts
• Expert recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions

Is price tracking legal?

Yes, completely legal. You’re simply monitoring public information. Amazon even offers their own tracking features.

How reliable is price tracking?

While we can’t predict exact future prices, historical data helps identify patterns and trends that can inform your buying decisions.

Do sellers know I’m tracking?

No, price tracking is anonymous. Sellers cannot see who tracks their products.

Can I track items in private/incognito mode?

Yes, but you’ll need to log in to save alerts and history.

What about Prime-exclusive prices?

We track both Prime and non-Prime prices. You’ll see both on charts.

How Others Use Price Tracking

Teachers

• Track classroom supplies and educational materials
• Buy during back-to-school sales and clearances
• Stock up when prices drop on frequently-used items

College Students

• Monitor textbook prices (especially used options)
• Track electronics and dorm essentials
• Compare rental vs. purchase options

Parents

• Watch baby gear and children’s items
• Time purchases with growth spurts
• Buy seasonal items during off-season sales

Take Action Today

Start Shopping Smarter

You now have the knowledge to:

• Make more informed purchasing decisions
• Identify better buying opportunities
• Develop patience for non-urgent items
• Avoid overpaying during peak pricing

Start Right Now:

1. Pick one item you’ve been wanting
2. Add it to tracking on DealDog
3. Set your first alert
4. Wait and save

Remember: Every expert was once a beginner. The key is to start. Your first tracked price drop will be incredibly satisfying, and you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner.

Welcome to the community of smart shoppers!

Join thousands who never overpay on Amazon again. Start tracking with DealDog today - it’s free, easy, and will change how you shop forever.