When it comes to buying gifts for friends and family, the element of surprise adds an extra layer of excitement. Amazon’s Wish List feature allows you to purchase items and have them shipped directly to your loved ones without them knowing. However, you may wonder if the recipient is notified when something is purchased from their wish list. In this article, we will explore how Amazon Wish Lists work and whether or not the person is notified when their wish list items are purchased.
How Do Amazon Wish Lists Work?
Amazon Wish Lists function similarly to gift registries. Any user with an Amazon account can create a Wish List and add items to it. Depending on the list’s settings, it can be kept private and shared with a select few friends and family members for gift ideas, or it can be made public for anyone to search and make a purchase.
When someone purchases an item from a wish list, that item is shipped to the address specified by the creator of the list. However, it’s important to note that a person will only receive notifications if they have enabled alerts for when something on their list is purchased.
If you prefer to purchase a gift directly from your own Amazon account rather than from the recipient’s wish list, you can do so. However, Amazon will not be aware that the item should be removed from the wish list, potentially leading someone else to make the same purchase.
Sending Gifts on Amazon
When you create an Amazon account, you are required to enter your address and other details. Every item you purchase will be sent to the address you provided during the registration process, unless you choose to use a different shipping address.
Amazon allows you to send items as gifts by entering different shipping addresses and the names of the recipients. You can also add a personalized note and choose gift wrapping to enhance the gifting experience. Here’s how you can send gifts on Amazon:
- Select the item you want to send as a gift and click on the “Add to Cart” button.
- Go to your cart menu and check the box next to “Send as a gift.”
- Click on the “Proceed to Buy” button.
- Choose the address you want to send the item to. If the address is not saved, you can add a new one by clicking on “Add a New Address” and filling in the details.
- Click on the “Deliver to this address” button.
- Enter a personalized message in the “Gift message” box, if desired. You can also select the “Gift Bag/Box” option.
- Click on “Continue.”
- Select the desired delivery date and click on “Continue.”
- Make the payment and place your order.
It’s important to note that Amazon requires a few days to process and send out the items you’ve purchased as gifts. This gives you some flexibility to make changes to your note if necessary. If the item has not entered the shipping process yet, you can go to your account and find the order you want to modify.
Surprise Spoiler Settings
By default, the person receiving the gift will receive a notification when you enter their name and address as the recipient. However, if you want to keep the gift a secret and maintain the surprise factor, you can adjust the settings to prevent notifications from being sent until the item is delivered.
To enable this setting and ensure your purchases remain a secret, follow these steps:
- Open Amazon and go to your profile section by clicking on the person icon.
- Click on “Your Lists.”
- Select the list for which you want to change the filters.
- Click on the three dots icon located in the top-right corner.
- Choose “Manage list” from the menu.
- Deselect the option that says “Keep purchased items on your list” to prevent others from knowing that you’ve purchased a gift.
- Check the checkbox next to “Don’t spoil my surprises” to prevent recipients from receiving gift notifications.
- Click on the “Save Changes” button.
It’s important to note that Amazon advises you to remain logged into your account if you want these filters to remain active. Otherwise, the recipient may receive the notification and inadvertently spoil the surprise.
Other Gift Options on Amazon
In addition to keeping your purchases a secret, Amazon offers various options to make your gifts more special. You can choose to hide the price on the packing slip, ensuring the recipient remains unaware of the cost of the gift. If you want the gift to be wrapped, the packing slip will be shipped in an envelope labeled “Don’t spoil the surprise.” Only the recipient’s name and address will be visible on the outside of the package.
However, it’s worth mentioning that not all items can be wrapped due to their size, shape, or weight limitations. In such cases, Amazon will ship the item in its original packaging. Prior to making a purchase, Amazon will inform you if an item is unable to be wrapped as a gift.
Rest assured, if you want to keep your gift a secret, Amazon will not notify the recipient. Additionally, Amazon will inform you if the person you wish to send the gift to has already purchased the item through their account, preventing you from buying something they already possess.
In some cases, you may want to buy a gift for someone else who shares the same Amazon account with you. This can be a bit more challenging due to the account notification settings. To ensure the surprise remains intact, consider setting up an Amazon Household account. This way, you can receive all notifications while still utilizing the same Prime account. Once you’ve placed an order, archive it to keep it hidden and ensure the recipient doesn’t receive any text alerts.
Surprise Your Loved Ones with the Best Gifts from Amazon
The Amazon online store offers a wide range of products suitable for everyone. Whether it’s friends or family members, you’ll surely find something to surprise them with. If you wish to keep your purchases a secret, make sure to check the “Don’t spoil my surprises” box.
The items you purchase will be delivered to the location of your choice, gift-wrapped and accompanied by a personalized note for that extra touch. If, by any chance, the recipient is not satisfied with the gift, they can easily return it to Amazon.
FAQs
How can I buy something from an Amazon wishlist anonymously?
- To make an anonymous purchase, create a separate account and send an item from the recipient’s Amazon wish list as a gift. The recipient won’t know that you’re the one who sent the gift.
How can I find out who bought me something on Amazon?
- To determine who has given you a gift on Amazon, check the details on the packing slip. The packing slip, usually placed inside the package, will provide the sender’s name and address if they filled out the information.
Can I hide my purchase history on Amazon?
- If you want to hide items you’ve purchased on Amazon, you can archive your orders to remove them from your order history. To archive an order, go to Your Orders, select the order you want to hide, and click on the “Archive order” option.
Can someone cancel an Amazon Wish List order?
- If the order is from your own wish list or a gift, you can cancel it through your account. However, if it’s someone else’s wish list, you would need access to the recipient’s account to cancel the order.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Amazon provides various options for purchasing gifts while maintaining the element of surprise. By utilizing the Wish List feature and adjusting the settings accordingly, you can ensure that your purchases remain a secret until they are delivered. With Amazon’s extensive range of products and gift options, you can easily find the perfect surprise for your loved ones. Happy gifting!
