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618 First Wave Starts May 6th! I Studied the Latest Discount Rules and Found a "Loophole" to Maximize Savings

Money Saving, 618 Shopping Festival, Discount, Strategy, China E-commerce —

Guys, I’ve done my research on 618.

Many people think 618 on June 18th is the cheapest day — but that’s completely wrong. Looking at 2024 and 2025 data, the first wave of 618 pre-sales are usually the best prices.

2026 618 Timeline (Important!)

  • First wave pre-sale: starts May 6th
  • Opening splash: May 16th
  • 618 main day: June 18th
  • Final sale: June 20th

The best buying window is May 6th to May 16th. Many items are actually cheaper during this period than on June 18th!

There’s a “Loophole” This Year That Many Don’t Know About

I found a discount stacking technique:

  1. Platform red packets (like JD’s Jing Xiang red packets)
  2. Store-specific minimum purchase discounts
  3. Category coupons (like home appliance category coupons)
  4. Government subsidies (some regions)

Stack all four layers and some items can reach 60% off or even lower!

The catch: these coupons are released at different times, not simultaneously. So the key tip is: get all your coupons in advance, then buy immediately when the first wave starts on May 6th.

I did this last year and bought my mom an air conditioner, saving over $55.

What to Buy During 618

  • Home appliances (AC, fridge, washing machine) — biggest discounts
  • Personal care (shampoo, skincare) — buy one get one free is common
  • Paper products, laundry detergent — stock up for half a year

What NOT to Buy During 618

  • Clothes — prices during 618 are actually worse than Double 11
  • Phones — new models release at specific times with best prices, not necessarily during 618
  • Snacks — no expiration pressure, but easy to overspend on “凑单” (extra items to reach minimum)

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