What Is Amazon's Prime Try Before You Buy--Our Honest Review
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When shopping on Amazon, you’ve likely seen the little slider asking you if you would like to try Prime Try Before You Buy. But, what exactly is this new feature? This new Amazon Prime feature is a new “Try On At Home” service that allows you to browse through different clothing styles and have them delivered right to your door—perfect for anyone who is too busy, doesn't want to, or isn’t able to go shopping in-store. But, is Prime Try Before You Buy right for you?
What Is Prime Try Before You Buy?
Prime Try Before You Buy, formally known as Prime Wardrobe, is a free feature exclusively for Prime members that allows you to try before you buy up to 6 items at one time.
However, unlike other wardrobe boxes, such as Nordstrom’s Trunk Club or Stitch Fix, Prime Try Before You Buy allows users to choose between any eligible clothing, shoes, accessories, and even jewelry to try on at home, at their own convenience. The best part is that it is completely free.
Don’t like an item? You can easily send back anything that you don’t like or that doesn’t fit within 7 days and avoid being charged.
Love an item? Simply keep it and send unwanted items back! Your card will only be charged after the try-on period has expired.
How to Use Prime Try Before You Buy?
So how does Prime Try Before You Buy work? It is incredibly easy to use! Simply follow these steps before checking out with your Amazon cart:
Find Your Items
Browse through clothes and other products sold by Amazon on their website. Any item that has the blue Prime Try Before You Buy slider is eligible to be added to your Amazon cart. It’s also easy to sort items by Prime Try Before You Buy:
Search an item that you are looking to purchase.
On desktop, the Prime Try Before You Buy filter will be on the left side of your browser. Simply select to only see eligible items.
In the Amazon app on mobile devices, Prime Try Before You Buy eligible items can be filtered by selecting ‘Filters’ at the top of the listings and selecting ‘Prime Try Before You Buy eligible.’
Add up to 6 items to your Amazon Prime Try Before You Buy Cart and you’re ready to check out!
Check Out
Select your preferred payment method from your account and items will ship directly from Amazon warehouses, ensuring that your items ship quickly and arrive to you in 3-5 business days.
Try Before You Buy
Your 7-day trial period starts when your items are delivered. Try each item on in the comfort of your own home, create outfits with items you already own, and decide what you want to keep.
Check Out With Prime Try Before You Buy
To return items, simply go to ‘My Account’ and select the Prime Try Before You Buy item that you wish to return. The Prime Try Before You Buy return will open all items in your wardrobe box and you can simply select what you want to keep and what you want to return. Use the prepaid return label that came with your Amazon box and drop off it at the nearest UPS location.
Note: You do not have to specify if you want to keep a Prime Try Before You Buy item—simply keep the item!
When Does Amazon Charge Your Card?
Amazon charges you for any items that you select to keep or after the 7-day try on period is over.
How much is Amazon Prime Try Before You Buy?
Amazon Prime Try Before You Buy has no extra cost associated with it—it is completely free for Prime Members. This means it costs exactly the same to use the service as it does to buy something direct from the website.
Why Should I Use Prime Try Before You Buy Instead of Shopping Myself?
The answer is simple: It can save you time and money!
Great for Busy People
Prime Try Before You Buy is perfect for anyone who doesn’t have time to drive to their local mall or doesn’t like the hassle of fitting rooms. It can also be an ideal solution for people who do not have access to local shops or retailers or those who simply don’t like to battle traffic! You can try on your new clothing items at any time that suits you.
Try New Clothing Brands
It is also a great way to try a variety of sizes and brands that you might not have otherwise selected. This can be the ideal solution for anyone shopping for an upcoming event, a wedding guest dress, or simply new workout gear or office attire.
Order Multiple Sizes or Colors
If you’re not sure how something will fit, Prime Try Before You Buy makes it easy to order multiple sizes or colors. You no longer have to worry about finding the perfect top or pair of jeans, but not the right size.
No Long Shipping Wait Time or Fees
Prime Try Before You Buy shoppers get the added benefit of Amazon’s fast Prime shipping, meaning that you are guaranteed to get your items quickly! And, each item is sold directly from Amazon and ships from Amazon warehouses, so items won’t get lost in transit.
No Cost Unless You Keep an Item
Unlike ordering directly from your Amazon account, there is no upfront cost, meaning it’s perfect for anyone not wanting to spend the money and wait for a refund once they have returned the item. It can also be an ideal way to try on everything in your wardrobe box with items that you already have in your own closet. Build your perfect outfit and see if your new purchases fit right in!
What Clothing Brands Can I Buy With Prime Try Before You Buy?
Worried that no name brand items will be available to try on at home? Don’t be! You can find tons of name brands—such as Adidas or Levi’s—as well as premium brands.
Another popular option is Amazon’s exclusive brands, such as:
Amazon The Drop
A higher-end option for those looking for on-trend options, inspired by global street style. Exclusive collections are frequently “dropped” (hence the name) in limited quantities and available for only 30 hours. Amazon The Drop also has staples that are the perfect building block—or addition—to a capsule wardrobe in your existing closet. You can also sign up for text alerts for new items or upcoming Drops.
Our Favorites:
Blake Long Blazer
Amazon The Drop
A one-button, long line blazer that is fitted in all the right places and perfect for work or casual wear.
Avery Square Toe Heels
Amazon The Drop
These slouchy sweatpants are a comfy, cozy option for lounging around the house or out on the weekends.
Goodthreads
Goodthreads is an Amazon brand full of cozy knits, sweaters, t-shirts, denim, and other wardrobe staples, made of high-quality fabrics and materials. The line is also available for men and women.
Our Favorites:
Boucle Turtleneck Sweater
Goodthreads
An extra cozy turtleneck sweater that is long enough to wear over leggings and still feel covered.
Slim-fit Washed Comfort Stretch Chino Pant
Goodthreads
Men's chinos in a relaxed fit that makes for easy weekend looks or business casual in a snap.
Daily Ritual
A women’s only Amazon style brand, Daily Ritual is a go-to for affordable fashion items. We especially love their t-shirt dresses!
Our Favorites:
Jersey Short-Sleeve Scoop Neck T-Shirt Dress
Daily Ritual
Made from a luxe jersey material, this lightweight scoop neck t-shirt dress makes for easy, throw-on style.
Drawstring Jogger Pant
Daily Ritual
A cozy pair of sweatpants to lounge in? Say no more -- we're already sold!
Amazon Essentials
Another brand for both men and women, Amazon Essentials is focused on comfortable, long-lasting clothing that is not only high-quality, but incredibly affordable, too. This is our favorite house brand to purchase shoes, basic tees, and other closet staples.
Our Favorites:
Cap-Sleeve Tech Stretch T-Shirt
Amazon Essentials
A 2-pack of premium tech t-shirts that are breathable and ideal for workouts or casual wear.
Long Puffer Jacket
Amazon Essentials
This long puffer coat will keep you warm and is easy on the wallet, too!
What is the shipping like for Prime Try Before You Buy?
Shipping is always free for Amazon Prime members! Prime Try Before You Buy items are always sold directly from Amazon and shipped from Amazon warehouses, so you get your items as fast as possible.
What you need to know about returning items from Prime Try Before You Buy
The best thing about Prime Try Before You Buy is that they make returns simple. In each Prime box, there is a prepaid shipping label that can be attached to any box (pack it right back up in the box it came in!) and send it back.
Note: If your Prime Try Before You Buy order came in multiple shipments, you can use any prepaid shipping label to return the items, together, in one box.
Follow the Amazon Return Policy
As with any item purchased from Amazon, the return must be:
Returned with tags on and in their original packaging, including: hangers, polybags, shoe boxes, dust bags, and gift boxes.
Items must be unused, unworn, unwashed, and undamaged.
Can I Return An Item After the 7-day Try-on Period?
Yes! If, after the trial period ends, (or your were automatically charged for an item that you did not intend to keep) you can return the item to Amazon for up to 30 days for a refund. As with the Amazon return policy above, all items must be returned in the manner in which they were received to be eligible for a refund.
How Is Prime Try Before You Buy Different Than Personal Shopper?
Prime Try Before You Buy is a way to try on items at-home for a free 7-day trial.
Amazon Personal Shopper allows customers to create a profile with shopping and wardrobe preferences and then request specific products and sizes from clothing brands that they are interested in. By telling your personal shopper about your style, they are able to curate a wardrobe box, specifically for you. Preview your stylist’s picks and, like Prime Try Before You Buy, choose up to 8 items to try on at home, keep what you like, or return items within the 7-day trial period for free.
Unlike Prime Try Before You Buy, Personal Shopper does come with an additional cost, but the service is only $4.99/styling and clothing items are free until the end of the trial period. If you don’t like it, you can cancel anytime.
Our Honest Review
So, is Prime Try Before You Buy right for you? Of course, there are a lot of factors to consider before making a choice! Here’s just a few of our opinions on the pros (and cons!) of Prime Try Before You Buy.
What Are the Pros of Prime Try Before You Buy?
What is a review without the pros, of course!
Try Before You Buy
The number one pro is going to be that it allows you to try on items before you purchase them! This allows you to try more expensive brands—or ones that you haven’t heard of before—pretty much risk-free. It’s a great way to shop for an upcoming event—shopping for a wedding guest dress can be so nerve-wracking—incredibly easily, especially if you vdon’t have time to get to a local retailer. There are a ton of reasons why shopping from your home is the easiest solution but, perhaps the biggest bonus for me is that you can try on the new items with items that are already in your closet.
Personally, I find that going into a dressing room always gives me anxiety. Between unflattering lighting (and don’t get me started on the mirrors!), pushy salespeople, and lack of sizing, I always feel compelled to buy something whenever I try on clothes in-store. I also find that I am a bit more impulsive when it comes to purchasing clothing in a store, too.
Trying on clothes at home works perfectly to plan outfits, style the item different ways with items I already have, and give me a true idea of if I like the item. Plus, I like that I don’t have to make an on-the-spot decision to avoid my size selling out or the item out of stock when I come back to the store. I find that I actually spend less money this way since I’m only keeping items that I really love.
You Can Choose Your Own Items (And It’s Free!)
Many try-on services, such as Trunk Club or Stitch Fix, do not allow you the freedom to pick any items that you want to try on at home. By using Prime Try Before You Buy, you can choose the items that you want without having to let anyone else help you. Complete control! Of course, the Personal Shopper styling service is available if you have no idea where to begin or what you want to shop for.
It is Incredibly Convenient
As I mentioned above, shopping for an occasion or an event always brings a sense of dread with it. There is nothing I hate more than having to sort through clothing choices for items that I don’t usually buy. Not to mention, going to the mall or to a store sometimes yields nothing but wasted time. I will gladly sit at home and browse online, knowing I can shop multiple sizes and styles to myself.
The prepaid shipping label is also an added benefit, especially if you don’t have a printer at home. All you need is a bit of tape to close your wardrobe box and send it back.
What Are the Cons of Prime Try Before You Buy?
No online service can be without its cons, not matter how convenient.
Limited Clothing Options
While there is a huge variety of clothing brands available with Prime Try Before You Buy, nevertheless, not every brand will be available. If you are looking for a mini skirt or an activewear set online that you may have seen in-store, it might not be available to try on at home, especially if it’s a new style.
The Shipping Can Be a Bit Slower
The shipping is still fast, (and free!) but it is not the standard 1 or 2-day shipping that we have become accustomed to as Prime members. While it’s not a direct negative at all, (and much faster than many other similar services) it is something to make sure that you plan into your trial time, especially for an upcoming trip or event.
It Doesn’t Always Come in One Box
Unlike normal orders from your Amazon cart, you aren’t able to select ‘Ship in One Box’ or a Prime Day delivery date. Sometimes (but not always) this results in a Prime Try Before You Buy shipment that comes in multiple boxes. If you are trying to cut down on the amount of packaging used or trips by your delivery driver, this option is currently not available.
It is Only Available for Prime Members
As an Amazon Prime member for a very long time, I sometimes forget that I am! However, there are a lot of benefits to being a Prime member outside of Prime Try Before You Buy, so I would recommend a membership regardless.
If you haven’t tried Prime Try Before You Buy yet and you are a Prime member, give it a try! It’s a simple and easy benefit of your membership and you might find that you love it!
Sign up for a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime here!
Have you tried Prime Try Before You Buy yet?
