With Amazon Prime Day coming up June 21-22, the company has a spend $10, get $10 promotion if you make a purchases from a list of small business owners that includes minorities and military veterans. Of course, Amazon benefits from this too, as you will need a Prime membership to claim the $10.
Is Amazon helping small businesses?
While the promotion will undoubtedly throw a few bucks to deserving businesses, one can’t help but raise a bemused eyebrow at Amazon’s marketing. The company is expected to take in over 50% of all e-commerce retail revenue by the end of the year, a total nearly six times that of their next closest competitor—a little mom-and-pop shop known as Walmart.
At the same time, Amazon has faced backlash for how that marketplace dominance has been achieved, as critics say that the company unfairly exploits its enormous scale to routinely target and crush the same small business owners that it now claims to champion. This isn’t all that surprising, I guess, as Amazon’s marketing isn’t exactly known for having much subtlety, either.
On the other hand? Ten bucks is ten bucks if you’re already a Prime member planning to shop during Prime Day, so you might as well claim the extra savings and support a small business. Alternatively, you can still be part of Prime Day without being a member (this Lifehacker post has those details).
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How to get the $10 Amazon credit
The deal is pretty straightforward. First off, you have to be a Prime member if you’re not already (you can sign up here). Then head over to this page and spend at least $10 on products from a list of small businesses, June 7-20 (timely reminder: June 20 is Father’s Day).
The products run the gamut from homemade products to electronics, and you can find small businesses based on the type of product they produce, their region, and identity.
After you’ve made a purchase, Amazon will send you an email confirming the $10 credit, which you will be able to use only during Prime sale dates of June 21-22—not before or after.
