Shopping and scoring great deals can be a wonderful feeling. Over 227 million American consumers shop online, but online shopping can be dangerous for your financial plan and your wallet if you aren’t cautious.1 If coronavirus has you staying in, or you just prefer to shop online in the comfort of your own home, make sure you find the best deals to get more bang for your buck with these seven helpful online shopping tips.
Tip #1: Use Coupon Codes
While not always obvious, coupon codes are almost always available - it just takes some searching to find them. Don’t pass up on the easy opportunity to save. With a bit of searching around the internet, you can likely save at least 10 to 25 percent off your online order.
Tip #2: Shop on the Right Days
Have you ever noticed that there are better deals on certain days? Many stores roll out special discounts and deals on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. With the upcoming holiday season, there are also special days that are dedicated to sales such as Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. Instead of online shopping when it’s most convenient for you, consider shopping only on days that you know you will be able to save some extra cash.
Tip #3: Find Free Shipping
With so much free shipping these days, it’s likely you won’t have to settle for paying for shipping. Many stores require you to spend a minimum in order to get free shipping. Other online retailers tend to waive the shipping fee altogether during the holiday shopping season.
Tip #4: Price Match
Let’s say you find an item online that you want to purchase, but you notice it’s cheaper on a competitor’s website. For many larger stores, you may be able to request a price match. Stores such as Kohl’s, Target and Walmart all offer price matches with their competitors.
Tip #5: Leave Items in Your Shopping Cart
Abandoning items in your cart is a surefire way to get a discount. If you leave items in your shopping cart, many websites will send you a savings offer in a follow-up email to push you to complete your purchase. This is a great way to get a 10 to 20 percent off coupon code with little to no effort.
Tip #6: Pick Up In-Store
In some cases, free shipping may just not be an option from the retailer you’re looking to purchase from. Many local retailers, especially big box stores, offer in-store pick up options free of charge - an option that has become increasingly popular because of COVID. Not only will you save on unnecessary shipping and handling costs, but you’ll also be able to get your item quicker.
Tip #7: Follow Brands On Social
Many brands share special sales on their social media accounts. If you are a loyal customer to a certain shop or brand, or even if you just want to keep up with deals for the holidays, follow them on social media and take advantage of being in the know of their top savings deals. Subscribing to email lists is another way to make sure you find out about upcoming sales. Remember, you can unsubscribe at any time.
When done right, online shopping can save you money. Putting in the time to conduct a bit of research can be an effective way to find the best deals, codes and offers. These seven tips will make you a pro online shopper who’s looking for deals to save in no time.