How to make the most of Amazon Prime Day

If you're pining for a bargain and Black Friday seems an awfully long way off, you're in luck: Amazon has announced plans to hold Prime Day, its annual one-day sale event, on July 12 this year.

To take advantage of the bargains, you'll need to be a member of Amazon Prime, its one-day delivery service that includes free access to a streaming television service.

This year will be the second Prime Day, and the company says that more than twice as many retailers are taking part. More than 100,000 deals will be on offer, including unique items, and ranging from electronics to toys, household goods and clothes.

Deals will start from midnight, with new offers being added every five minutes.

"Prime Day is great for customers and sellers," says Simon Johnson, Director of Seller Services UK.

"Customers have the opportunity to support small businesses by purchasing unique products at a great price with unlimited one-day delivery, and it helps sellers prepare for the upcoming Christmas period by providing a peak sales day as well as feedback and customer reviews on new and top selling products."

This year, deals include a Dyson DC19DB Multi Floor Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner at 25% off, and a 7-inch Android 5.0 Quad Core Lollipop Tablet down by 30%.

A TTfone Venus TT700 Big Button Flip Mobile Phone also has 30% off, and Pure Argan Oil 100% Organic is half price.

And Amazon itself is of course pitching in, with deals on its Fire TV and Fire Stick, Prime Music, and Photo services.

In fact, the price cuts have already started, with the company promoting what it calls Prime Day Countdown Deals. Today's include an Oral-B Pro 2000 CrossAction Electric Rechargeable Toothbrush for just £23.99 - a third of the usual price - as well as half-price electric razors.

To make the most of the deals, you'll first have to decide whether it's worth joining Prime - if you haven't already, that is. But there is a get-out, in that the company offers a free 30-day trial membership. Sign up now, and you'll be eligible for all the deals - just remember to cancel the £79 annual membership before the 30 days is up.

As with all sales, it's wise to make a list, checking out reviews in advance. And check out prices elsewhere: just because something's marked down, that doesn't mean it's the best deal you could get.

Adding items to your Amazon shopping list or wish list now means that Amazon should alert you when prices drop. And signing up for an app called CamelCamelCamel means you'll also be able to check previous prices to make sure price cuts are all that they seem.

Last year, for example, while many tech items were for sale at bargain prices some items - including Amazon's own Kindle e-reader - were available for less from elsewhere.