Find what you need without spending a fortune by checking out these tips, tricks, and websites that will help you get the best bargains online!
79% of American consumers shopped on the web with their smartphones, tablets, or computers in 2016. That’s a massive increase from just 22% in 2000.
Global retail e-commerce sales continue to increase and are expected to nearly double by 2020. There’s a reason for all these online purchases: The best bargains are almost always found online.
Read on to learn all the tips and tricks you need to know to score the best bargains online and keep your money in your pocket.
Savvy Shoppers Buy Online
We all love a great deal. There’s something truly satisfying about buying something we’ve had our eye on and not paying retail. But not everything you see advertised as a great bargain is actually the best deal.
Often, consumers are bombarded with offers. And savvy marketers use phrases like “limited-time offer” and “get it before it’s gone.” This creates a sense of urgency which can have you clicking ‘buy now’ before you’ve thought carefully.
The internet is an excellent place to find bargains, from cheap flights to discounted designer shoes, food, entertainment and more.
The trick is knowing where to find the best bargains online. Keep reading to learn how to take advantage of the best deals and never pay retail again.
Finding the Best Bargains Online
By following these steps, you’ll be able to take advantage of the best bargains online- as soon as they’re released.
Here’s how you can harness the power of the internet to keep more money in your bank account:
Sign Up For a Range of Newsletters
One of the best ways to always keep your finger on the pulse when it comes to online bargains? Sign up for updates and e-newsletters.
If you like to keep your email uncluttered, you may want to consider creating a new email address solely for these newsletters. That way you can sign on and browse at your convenience- and won’t be distracted while you’re trying to be productive.
These newsletters will often include coupons and special offers. And many are specifically tailored to your interests, preferences, and buying habits based on the types of products you’ve bought in the past.
There are also a number of deal sites which collate the best prices, store rewards, coupons, and rebates from thousands of retailers. They’ll then send you alerts when a deal pops up that you may be interested in.
Be Coupon Savvy
Another great way to save some serious moolah? Coupons. There are many different coupon code sites which let you search for specific coupon codes. You simply enter a keyword or website and these sites collate a variety of offers, ranging from free shipping to discounts.
Discounts can range from 10% to 50% or higher. Sometimes you’ll need to create a member account to cash in coupons, but this can be well worth it for a great discount.
One of the best ways to find coupons? A simple Google search of the website or name of the product you’re after and the word “coupon” will pull up thousands of coupons. These may be from websites you haven’t heard of or searched.
Shop Smart
When you’re looking for bargains online, price comparison websites are your friend. These sites are great at compiling information on the lowest prices for products like electronics, appliances, clothes, and furniture.
You can sort products by category or search for specific goods. These sites also often include reviews from other shoppers, including information about return policies, product defects, and the low-down on the product itself.
These comparison sites are a great place to start if you’re thinking of purchasing a big-ticket item. Keep in mind that many of these sites are affiliated with particular companies, so it’s best to do supplemental research as well.
You should also remember that not all comparisons are equal on this site. For example, one business may offer you a product that doesn’t include add-ons such as shipping and handling and taxes. This can significantly push the price up.
Clean Your Cookies
Retailers base their price points and promotions based on data around previous purchases and buying habits.
Cookies are small pieces of text which web servers add to your hard drive when you visit their websites. These cookies allow those sites to recognize you as a returning customer. And since new customers often get better deals, those cookies can cost you money.
Regularly cleaning your cookies will help ensure you can get the best bargains online since companies can’t see that you’re a returning customer.
Check Other Online Sources
From discussion forums to blogs, consumers are joining together to exchange money-saving tips, swap coupons, and share deals.
Many websites can give you the low down on the best bargains online. These can be a great source since you’ll be getting advice from your peers who are also interested in saving money. These blogs are written by people who love bargain hunting and enjoy sharing their expertise with readers (check out this blog for more info).
Check the Small Print
The best online deals can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. But if a deal looks too good to be true, it’s likely that it is.
For example, some sites may offer reduced prices on some items but their expensive shipping and handling charges may remove any potential savings.
You should also check the return policy, including whether returns are allowed, if they can be returned to a physical store, and who pays for the return shipping if you have to send a product back.
Wrapping Up
Online shopping can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. But you’ll need to be strategic if you’re hoping to grab a bargain. By using the above tips, you’ll be able to make the most of these deals without falling down the online rabbit hole.
Whenever you’re searching for bargains online, be sure to compare deals and account for extra costs like shipping and handling.
Looking for more money-saving tips? Check out some of the blog posts in our finance category today.