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Amazon Prime Members – FREE Samples After Credit!

Liz Cadman
ByLiz CadmanOct 13, 2017 | 19 comments

Thanks, Frances W, for letting us know about this new sample deal from Amazon for Prime members!

(If you are not already a Prime Member, start a Free 30-day trial).

You can buy as many samples from this page as you want, and you'll get credit back to buy any item from that category. Here are some of the samples:

  Lots more samples here.

1. What is Prime Samples?
Prime Samples is a new program that allows Prime members to try samples of products. You can purchase a wide variety of samples, with prices ranging between $2 and $4. For each sample you buy, you will receive a credit equal to the price you paid for the sample. Your credits can be used toward a future purchase of select full-size products from the category you sampled. For example, if you purchase a shampoo sample for $2, you’ll receive a $2 credit that can be used toward a future shampoo purchase.
2. What kinds of samples are available?
We have samples available across a wide range of product types, including beauty products, food and beverages, sports nutrition, and personal care items. We are always adding new samples, so check back frequently!
3. Can anyone buy samples?
Samples are only available to Prime members.
4. Do I have to pay for shipping? How long will it take for my samples to ship?
Shipping is free for all Prime Samples. Prime Samples arrive 3-5 business days after you place your order.
5. How many samples can I buy?
You can buy as many samples as you want, but can only buy each unique sample once. For example, if you buy a berry-scented shampoo sample from a brand, and you want to try the same shampoo with a different scent, you can purchase both samples. However, you can’t buy the same berry-scented shampoo sample twice.
6. What can I buy with my sampling credits?
For each sample that you buy, you will receive a credit equal to the price you paid for the sample. You can use your credit toward a future purchase of select full-size items from the product type you sampled. For example, if you purchased a shampoo sample, you could use your credit toward select full-size shampoos. You can only use your credit on items shipped and sold by Amazon.com. See full terms and conditions below.
7. When do I get my sampling credits?
Credits are added to your account once your samples have shipped. You will receive an email each time new credits are added to your account.
8. How do I redeem my sampling credits?
Once your credits are available, you can add eligible products to your cart. Your credits will automatically be applied during checkout.
9. Where can I find my sampling credits?
You can check your current credit balance here.
10. When do my credits expire?
Credits expire 180 days after your sample ships.
11. Can I use my credit with Subscribe & Save?
Yes. If you subscribe to an item that you sampled, your sampling credit will apply towards your first Subscribe & Save order.

Are you grabbing any samples? (And check out Amazon Sample Boxes, too!)

Liz Cadman
Liz Cadman
Liz is the founder of My Subscription Addiction. She's been hooked on subscription boxes since 2011 thanks to Birchbox, and she now subscribes to over 100 boxes. Her favorites include POPSUGAR Must Have, FabFitFun, and any box that features natural beauty products!

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19 comments

Yogamom67

One other note. I’ve purchased seven sample boxes this year. The credits do expire. Five of my seven credits expired before I was able to use them.

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Michelle

Ok, I just read the FAQ on here (thanks Liz). It’s 180 days after samples are shipped out. I usually buy within a month or 2… I have shopping issues, obviously… So no issues there! lol

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Frances W

Can confirm that it is 180 days. After my order shipped today, I received notification that the credits were in my account and would expire on April 11, 2018.

Michelle

Hmm.. I didn’t know that. Did you know how long they last? I’ve always been able to use all of my credits.

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Yogamom67

I haven’t tried this particular sample program from Amazon (individual samples).

However, I’d like to mention a few issues I’ve come across when purchasing other Sample Boxes from Amazon…

When I go to use my credit, often the item(s) I want to purchase are sold out. Or the credit for the Box isn’t enough to purchase the item I want.

Let me give you an example. I recently purchased an Amazon Sample Box for Dogs. It came with a couple of snacks, supplements, and dog foods. The box cost $7.99. When I went online to use my credit, at least a ⅓ of the items in the box were sold out/not available. Another ⅓ of the products cost $15+. Basically, there was only one item I could purchase with my $7.99 credit. I went ahead and purchased it – but truthfully, it wasn’t a snack I really wanted for my dogs. It was just the only item I could purchase for $7.99.

I’ve had the same experience with other Amazon sample packs.

Honestly, I keep finding myself looking at a bunch of samples that I didn’t really need, but justified because I figured if I found one I really liked, I’d be able to use my credit to purchase it – thereby making my initial investment worthwhile.

However, when I go onto Amazon’s site, the item I want is either sold out, too expensive, or sold in a pack of three for $21.99.

So I ask myself – what’s the point of all this? Purchasing an Amazon Sample Box is an investment of not only my time, but my money.

Maybe it’s unreasonable of me to expect to purchase an item of my choice from the Sample Box with my credit. If so, my bad!

To be fair though, I think Amazon’s advertising leads its customers to believe that they will indeed be able to do so.

It would be great if Amazon made sure the products in their sample boxes were in stock. Amazon should also make clear that while the credit issued for the price of the Box can be used to offset the price of purchasing a full-size version of one of the items included, in many cases – it won’t fully cover the cost of the product.

If you love trying new things and don’t mind the issues with using your “credit,” you’ll probably enjoy these boxes.

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Michelle F

I spent way too much on this last night. I saw it advertised on slickdeals.

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SunnyT

I’m thinking even if someone thinks the credit is complicated… These are still decent size samples at a good “Try me” price.

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Emilia

Too complicated.

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Luna

Haha… I was sort of thinking the same thing, but only because I’m a Prime newbie (I was gifted a year of it for my birthday a month ago). I got the luxury beauty box last month as my first purchase, and I was recently thinking how I need to figure out/look into how to redeem my credits. Fortunately, it looks like they listed how above, so now I just need to figure out what I want to use them on so they don’t go to waste.

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Michelle

It’s easy to use them. Just go to the listing and there is a link of all the products you can use. There are so many benefits to having prime so that’s a great gift. I love the movies and tv shows, music, books… etc. I’m a prime lover! lol

Marissa

I have to make a basket for a fundraiser initiate two weeks and the “sample” sizes for the syrups are the ones that come in the 3 packs for $12! So I got like 8, will make the best basket ever with two bags of coffee or so and get the credit all back to spend on something I will bake with like coconut sugar! Or those intriguing brown sugar cubes…..

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Michelle F

That’s a great idea to make gift baskets for friends/family for xmas!!

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Frances W

That’s awesome! I am going to bookmark and check the page often since they say they will update with new items frequently. 😉

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Zo

This is nice. If you pick items from the same category it’s like you are making your own sample box. The credits are stackable. At least they were when I purchased an electric toothbrush. Amazon automatically applied 3 credits I had that must have met the requirements.

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Adele

I bought the samples of Epic. I remember when we received it in a Robb Vices box and it was so good!

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SunnyT

I’ve been a Prime member for 3 years and never knew about this! Thank you Liz and Frances W!

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Frances W

@SunnyT – it’s a brand new offering. That’s why you never knew about it. 🙂

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Gabriela

Not exactly new, but they recently organized it. In the beginning of the year (I remember using my credit on Prime Day, on July), you could buy the samples but the credit was only valid for products of the same brand, and there was no way to check your remaining balance. Now they have a specific page for that, and a way to retrieve all credits in one single place.

SunnyT

Thanks for clarifying that Frances W! This is definitely something I will be taking advantage of!