We Checked Out Haul, Amazon’s New Bargain Platform. Here’s What We Found

Amazon (AMZN) appears to have gone all-in on impulse buys with its bargain platform, Haul.

Haul launched in Amazon’s shopping apps last week, showcasing items that cost $20 or less—what it called “crazy low prices” in its announcement—and select details about these deals.

Investopedia checked out the new mobile-only offering; here are a few things we noticed.

Cheap Might Not Always Mean Cheapest

Haul offers an assortment of inexpensive apparel, accessories, cookware, and home improvement tools. Recent examples: sneakers for $9.98, a bento-style lunchbox with utensils for $8.99, and a neon light in the shape of the moon for $7.99. 

Some of the items can be found for less on Amazon’s main site. One oil sprayer recently cost $4.99 on Haul, but another with twice the capacity was listed for $2.95 on Amazon. A package of four produce containers—designed to keep cut onion, avocado, or lemon fresh—went for $11.99 on Haul, but a similar set could be found for $4.88 on Amazon.

Don’t Expect To See Staples

Haul appears to be a destination for treats, not essentials. The platform doesn’t sell toothpaste, though toothbrush holders are available, as well as tools that squeeze toothpaste out of tubes.

Haul has dispensers, trays, and covers for toilet paper, but not the tissue itself. It also doesn’t appear to sell deodorant or soaps, although Haul offers soap dispensers and trays, in addition to molds and packaging strips for those making soap.

Emojis Stand In for Star Ratings

The platform uses emojis as a shorthand for the consumer feedback we’re used to seeing in star ratings and reviews on Amazon.

Rockets indicate Haul items are going fast, and hearts denote that they’re best sellers. Sections about where items were manufactured, and what materials they contain, tend to span no more than two or three dozen words. 

Amazon said reviews and a star rating are shown on eligible products’ detail page. But this consumer feedback isn’t currently available for most items.

Come for Prices, Not Speed

Shipping will likely be quicker, and potentially less expensive, on Amazon.

Haul items come directly from manufacturers, several of which appear to be located in China. They may not arrive for a week or two, Amazon said. Shipping costs $3.99, but is waived for orders of $25 or more, the retailer said. That’s a natural focus, given that Amazon said it designed the platform for people who prioritize cost savings over convenience.

“Sometimes they would love to shop ultra-low-priced products even if some of them take one to two weeks to arrive,” Amazon said in its announcement. “We are just getting started with Amazon Haul and look forward to hearing from customers as we continue to innovate on and further improve the shopping experience.”

Two other wrinkles shoppers should note: Amazon still offers free returns for Haul items, but only within a 15-day window; and items marked “Final Sale” aren’t returnable or refundable.