With the festive countdown well and truly on, consumers are in a final scramble to secure their Christmas presents. In a timely intervention, consumer champion Martin Lewis has unveiled a series of little-known strategies to dramatically cut costs on the online retail giant Amazon, with potential savings of up to 70%.
Martin Lewis's Five Amazon 'Basement Levels' for Bargains
In his latest Money Saving Expert (MSE) newsletter published on December 18, 2025, the founder detailed what he calls Amazon's different 'sub-sites' or 'basement levels'. He explained that shopping through these specific channels can 'ramp down the price' significantly, but you need to know where to look.
The first major tip is Amazon Resale. This section, formerly known as Amazon Warehouse, offers discounts of up to 50% or more on returned items. Products range from laptops and tablets to kitchen appliances, with conditions clearly graded as 'acceptable', 'very good', or 'like new'. Martin Lewis recommends using the MSE Discount Finder tool to navigate this 'treasure trove of deals'. One reader, Susan, reported buying a coffee machine for less than half-price where only the box was damaged.
Refurbished Tech and Clearance Outlets
Next is Amazon Renewed, a dedicated hub for refurbished technology. All items here are pre-owned but have been professionally tested, restored, and come with a one-year warranty. It's an ideal spot for previous-generation Apple, Samsung, or Dell products. Current deals highlighted include £490 off a Garmin Fenix 7X smartwatch and £65 off a PlayStation 5.
Amazon Outlet is another key area for brand-new excess stock, typically priced 15% to 70% lower to clear. Martin Lewis notes it can be 'hit and miss', but gems exist, like a Squishmallows fox currently listed for £10, down from £18.
Essential Tools and Broader Festive Savings
Lewis also warned that Amazon's discount claims can be misleading. Instead of guessing, he advises using the CamelCamelCamel price history tool to verify if a deal is genuine. An MSE investigation found a Fire HD 8 tablet advertised as '55% off' at £45, despite being £40 just two weeks prior.
For non-Prime members, he shared a delivery hack: orders under £35 incur a fee, so it can be cheaper to add a small item to reach the free delivery threshold. The MSE Super Saver Delivery tool can help find suitable add-ons.
Beyond Amazon, consumer expert Helen Dewdney (The Complaining Cow) offered additional festive tips. She advises checking year-round clearance sections on sites like Smyths and Argos, hunting for early 'Boxing Day' sales, and using apps like Shopmium for discounted food hampers. She also highlighted numerous high-street schemes where recycling old clothes, beauty containers, or even empty perfume bottles can earn vouchers for gifts at retailers including M&S, Boots, and John Lewis.
