Amazon Treasure Truck starts offering deals — technology is flawless, but truck itself is underwhelming

Treasure Truck deals were offered on both Saturday and Sunday this past weekend. On Saturday you could buy a Rocketbook for $23.99 (31 percent off) and on Sunday you could buy 20 gorgeous green succulents for $27.99 (46 percent off).

In other markets, Amazon Treasure Truck include everything from La Creuset pots to Cutetitos kid toys to Mario Badescu skin care to Ring Cameras. Expect a few offers each week throughout the year.

How it works: Amazon features a single discounted item and shares it with you via text. Only a limited amount are available, so you have to act fast. You buy it on Amazon and select a pick up location that includes a window of time. You’ll receive a QR code after your purchase. Then you go pick it up same-day from that location (or other more convenient spots) that’ll often have games, giveaways, tasty treats and other surprises. If you want to learn more, check out Amazon’s full FAQs.

Alerts: The easiest way to find out what’s on the Treasure Truck is to text “TRUCK” to 24193. Amazon will then let you know about each and every new offer. You can text “STOP” to cancel. I just signed up and Amazon sent a confirmation text back that reads, “You’re in! We’ll let you know when Treasure Truck is rolling through town with something new.”

“We’ve been so excited by the customer reaction to Treasure Truck the last couple of years from all across the country,” explained Margot Johnson, Director of Treasure Truck at Amazon in a statement. “Our customers love the surprise of what new hand-picked, must-have item is on Treasure Truck each day and being able to pick it up from convenient locations where they live, work and play.”

I bought the Rocketbook on Saturday and drove to a gravel lot near Bank of America Stadium to pick it up. The technology and novelty were cool, but the Amazon Treasure Truck itself was underwhelming.

The truck itself was just a wrapped van. Outside the truck was a single bubble machine.

My pickup window was 2:55 p.m. to 4:25 p.m.. I showed up right at 2:55 and waited in line for about 10 minutes (it moved fast) before a friendly Amazon representative scanned by QR code and handed me the Rocketbook in a red Amazon bag.

At the end of the line was a plinko board (which you can buy for $44.95 on Amazon). Each customer could drop a chip and win a sticker, coaster or magnet. There was also a small box of cheap kid’s toys and my son grabbed a tiny plastic flute that we couldn’t get to work.

Given that this was the debut of the Amazon Treasure Trucks in Charlotte, I was expecting so much more.

Another customer summed it up perfectly when he told me, “The technology of it was fabulous, but I definitely pictured a cooler truck with a delivery side window and music. The toys and prizes were pathetic.”

If you enjoy hunting for good deal and you’re willing to go out of your way to save some money, definitely sign up for Amazon Treasure Truck texts — but don’t expect a magical pick up experience.