I’ve always loved reviewing the things I buy. Reviews have helped me so much over the years when I’m deciding whether to add something to my cart, so I’ve always tried to pay it forward. Every time I bought something on Amazon, I wrote a two or three paragraph review and added photos. Not just when something annoyed me, but when I genuinely loved it too.
Then, almost a year ago, after finishing a review (on a sex toy, of all things!), a little pop-up appeared asking if I wanted to join the Amazon Vine Program. I just about fell off my chair, and of course I said YES.
Fast forward a year, and honestly, this program has helped my family so much. I haven’t had to sprint to Dollarama for last minute birthday party supplies once. Reviewers get offered tons of that stuff. I decorate for every holiday (just like my momma!) and yes, I now have a fully decked-out Grinch themed Christmas bathroom that didn’t cost me a cent. My husband complains about the Grinch staring him down while he poops, but that’s another story.
When you first join Vine, you start in Silver Tier. That gives you up to 3 items a day, each worth up to 100 dollars. During your six month review period, you need to review at least 80 items and maintain a 90 percent review rate. I ended up reviewing over 200 in my first six months because, frankly, it’s addictive. Meeting those thresholds bumps you into Gold Tier.
Gold Tier is where things get exciting. You can choose up to 8 items a day with no value cap. I’ve snagged 350 dollar bidets, real leather briefcases, furniture, electronics, you name it. Every morning, new items appear in three categories:
-
Recommended for You (RFY): tailored to things you tend to choose
-
Available to All (ATA): the fast-paced free for all where high value items vanish in seconds
-
Additional Items (AI): the leftovers, but still worth checking for hidden gems
The selection refreshes all day long, so if you’re hunting for the good stuff, it helps to look more than once. I check in the morning and again later in the afternoon, and yes, timing really does matter.
Now for the boring but important details:
-
You must review each item within 30 days of receiving it.
-
You must maintain a 90 percent review rate to stay in good standing.
-
Reviews should be helpful and detailed, and photos really help.
-
Items cannot be sold or given away for six months. After that, they’re yours to do whatever you want with.
-
If you’re in Canada, you do not have to worry about taxes on Vine items.
Once you learn the system, the whole thing becomes a fun daily ritual. The Amazon Vine Program has genuinely been such a blessing for our family, and I still get excited every time I click in to see what is new.
If you want a chance at amazing free products every day, review everything you buy. You never know. One honest little review might change everything, even if it happens to be on a sex toy.
If you make it into Vine, let me know in the comments. I’ll cheer you on.
