The first time I had toilet paper delivered, I was almost ashamed of myself. I mean really, what did the post man think?! “Man, this Myers woman is so lazy she can’t even leave the house to get her TP…wonder what’s in all these other boxes?”
Dear Mr. Postman – I’m so sorry you deliver approximately 6 packages to our house per week. Thank you so much for putting them into my car so someone won’t burglarize my toilet paper. You are a man of honor and chivalry. God bless you.
PS – I am not making meth.
All links used below are my Amazon affiliate links – using them helps support Humorous Homemaking. I really do use Amazon weekly for groceries and other things, and I wouldn’t proclaim it as the best thing since sliced bread if I didn’t really believe it. If I’m anything, I’m honest. Booya.
I’ve already told you I have a thing for shopping with Amazon and that I enjoy using Amazon Prime. In that post, I told you I would expound on my love of Subscribe and Save. So, let’s use toilet paper as an example for how this scenario works.
**If you would prefer to see this explanation via video, scroll to the bottom.**
Toilet Paper…gotta have it
I don’t like paying more than $.25 for a single roll of toilet paper. Around these parts, we don’t go cheapy on the TP – that’s one rule that Barry has set and I’m cool with that. Say no to Butt Fuzz…you know what I’m talking about. The TP that is SO THICK it can barely be flushed…and it leaves fuzz on your behind.
Occasionally I’ll see a deal posted from Jungle Deals & Steals about a sale on Amazon for TP – making it cheaper than I can buy it at the store. Since I already get free shipping with Prime, that’s not a factor. But guess what? It’s not a factor for you either – Subscribe and Save ships for FREE! So, if she posts it, I’ll hop on over to Amazon using her link – because she provided the info, I like supporting her this way. Thank you, Mandi!
Now, when you choose Subscribe and Save on the right side of the screen, you’ll see that you can save 5%. So, you’re saving 5% AND getting free shipping. What’s the catch?
It IS a subscription.
You must agree to “subscribe and save.” This means you choose when to receive your next shipment of the same item. At first, this was a huge turn off. But I learned once your item is delivered, you can delete your subscription. And no, it’s not shady. Amazon allows this feature. They advertise that “Cancel at any time – there are no commitments, obligations, or fees.”
When my items are delivered, I log into Amazon and cancel my subscription. Why? Because the price isn’t locked in. As you know, prices on things at Amazon fluctuate DAILY. So while I will likely get these items from Amazon again, I want to wait for the best price – not what it happens to be when my 4 month shipment is ready to be delivered. Amazon is just offering you the option to keep this subscription – if it’s something you might forget to buy…it’s for convenience.
Your savings using Subscribe and Save can go up to 15% off if you have 5 or more subscriptions on your delivery day – this isn’t a perk I have used.
Before your order is due, Amazon will email to remind you – and you have the time to cancel if desired. I don’t normally wait for that because I’m afraid I will wait too long and end up paying $.30 for my roll of TP. Not cool man, not cool.
Coupons!
But wait! THERE’S MORE! Dude, I’ve always wanted to say that. 🙂 Sometimes you can find a coupon to “clip” and save even more! I’m notified of these via Jungle Deals and Steals as well. See the little option under Special Offers and Product Promotions? There is a little coupon to clip for $1 off, making your savings even better! I found this coupon for Quilted Northern Toilet Paper, just as an example…but when I purchase food or household products, I always make sure to scan there to see if there is an available coupon.
Prices can fluctuate!
Because your price isn’t set in stone once you subscribe, I keep a folder in my email and put my subscription notices in there. Then, when my order is getting ready to process I can check prices and see if I want to cancel anything based on a price hike.
So, let’s summarize:
1. Find a product on sale and choose Subscribe and Save on the right side of the screen.
2. Choose next delivery date and get 5% off and free shipping…15% off if you get 5 or more items.
3. Order is delivered and you can cancel your subscription if desired.
4. If you don’t cancel, Amazon will email to remind you when your shipment is coming up so you can make changes if needed.
5. Get TP delivered at a good price and make your mail man scratch his head.
Nancy Thatcher says
April 11, 2016 at 12:06 amI absolutely love subscribe and save! I see that we even get the same TP and paper towels. I started out just getting some of the suppliments my doctor said I need since I only have a partial stomach. They are really cheaper than I can get them for any place else. I was also using prime pantry until I realized that I could get almost all of the same items on subscribe and save and not have to pay for the $6.50 shipping or whatever it ends up being….plus I do not have to go in every month and try to remember what I ordered last time.
I do not delete mine each month but I do go in a week or so before the scheduled date to ship and check out the prices. I also check to see if I need to add something or if I need to skip delivery of an item. I am going to check out the jungle steals and deals you mentioned! Thanks.
Stacy says
April 12, 2016 at 12:18 pmI hope you find that site helpful!!!
Becky says
April 10, 2016 at 9:37 pmWe love Amazon Subscribe & Save here!! It has been well worth it for our family of 8 to buy many items in bulk. Some of the things we get regularly are tp, healthy gum & mints, water filters, stayfree pads, whey protein powder, batteries, qtips, sea salt, humidifer filters, Charlies laundry soap, swiffer refills, coconut oil, peanuts / cashews, paper towels, Seventh Generation dish soap & dishwasher soap, packing tape, maple extract …. LOVE IT!!
Stacy says
April 12, 2016 at 12:19 pmWe just entered the world of S&S batteries and they are definitely cheaper!
Tonia Wilcox says
February 3, 2014 at 4:42 pmThanks Stacy!! Because of this post, I did some research, figured out what things I needed to buy and comparison shopped with Walmart, King Soopers (Kroger) and Amazon… I just ordered makeup which I am low on and would have had to buy within the next two weeks or so and toilet paper! I saved the 15% on 5 things, and I saved $14.00 over what I would have paid at Walmart!! 🙂 SWEET!!! 🙂
Stacy says
February 4, 2014 at 4:24 pmYOU GO GIRL!
Tricia says
January 14, 2014 at 11:38 amHere’s what I love about shopping Amazon Prime – yes, the fact that they let you cancel, love buying in quantity (3 bathrooms = lots of toilet paper and cleaning supplies!) and they do all the boxing up and carrying it your house 🙂 what makes me sad is I live Massachusetts – up until about two months ago I never had to pay sales tax. Now, I do 🙁 Our state has been after Amazon forever now wanting a slice of the pie that MA residents send to Amazon and finally Amazon relented and an agreement was drawn up. Tax-free NH is not far away so I have to figure that into my savings now and ask myself the question – is it cheaper if I get into my car and drive to NH for it
Stacy says
January 14, 2014 at 3:53 pmYep, same thing happened in VA. I still grumble every time. 😉
Stephanie says
January 7, 2014 at 4:22 pmI just did this, uhhh, accidentally 🙂
was trying to buy rice and saw the subscribe and save and remembered your post so I hit the subscribe and save and now it is a completed order???? I did not realize that there would not be any more buttons to hit. This is so weird, it never gave me my address screen or anything. Oh well guess I have a lot of brown rice and chana dahl en route to the Reynolds’ home. Will have to go on your site and find some rice recipes!!!! 🙂
Stacy says
January 8, 2014 at 4:21 pmHa, ha!!!! 🙂 It should have given you a confirmation page – I always get one. That’s really strange.
Sabrina M Bowen says
January 3, 2014 at 10:53 amHmm… My only thought here is, isn’t easier to just pick it up when you’re out? I mean, I LOVE Amazon! But 2-ply TP is $1 for 4 rolls if you get the off brand. It’s just as pretty and quilted as the name brands, just with a different label. I guess I feel like the hassle of making sure you get the best price is just to much when you know it’s sitting on a shelf at the dollar store at the same great price, every day!
Elaine says
December 29, 2013 at 2:04 pmDo you just wait for updates from DSM, or use another strategy to get what you need at the best price?
Stacy says
December 30, 2013 at 10:23 pmDSM is usually my source since she’s pretty good about posting that stuff. However, if there’s something specific I’m looking for I may check it myself periodically.
Heather @ Raising Mighty Arrow says
December 26, 2013 at 10:30 pmI’ve been thinking about signing up for Amazon Prime for a while now. I used your link to do so today! Thank you. 🙂
Rebecca Schrimsher says
December 26, 2013 at 3:11 pmIf you subscribe and save 5 or more for one date and you are a prime member you get 20 % off. Also my understanding is that the price is the day you agree to subscribe it is the price you pay not the day it is shipped. Do you know if this is correct? Thanks.
Stacy says
December 27, 2013 at 11:34 amI’ve heard some say 15% off and others say 20%. From Amazon’s FAQs, “The discount you receive for each order will be calculated using the Amazon.com price for the item on the day each order is placed.”
Debbie Dunn says
December 26, 2013 at 11:39 amThanks Stacy! We love Amazon subscribe and save. We have a prime membership. I just ordered toilet paper,paper towels, dish soap, guinea pig pellets and pine shavings. I received 20% off of the already great prices because I ordered five items to be delivered at the same time. I can change delivery times for any/all items at any time. Such a savings and no shipping and no gas!
Beth says
December 26, 2013 at 10:18 amI HATE shopping and already shop on Amazon for all kinds of products…just never thought about staples such as TP and other regular groceries. I also love buying in quantity…less packaging for waste…thanks so much…this is GREAT!
Cecilia says
December 26, 2013 at 9:36 amI also use Subscribe and Save, and just the past couple of months have tried to get the 15% off for 5 or more items. Our budget is tight, so I try to only get items we would have gotten anyway, such as GF pasta, maybe an essential oil we were out of, dish soap,…I just set most everything up to deliver monthly, then cancel for any month I don’t need particular things, trying to keep 5 if I can. 🙂