In the past decade, online shopping has spread and infected a majority of the population worldwide. Nowadays, we not only look forward to checking various brands through their respective apps but also wait for festive discounts to apply. To add, the e-commerce industry spiked at the right time. Who knew we’d be sitting at home under lockdowns and experiencing movement restrictions. Well, if you have been an impulse shopper, you already know what this post is about. However, that is not the case.
The article talks about several facets of shopping and how one can save their hard-earned money before going online for window shopping. With yet another season coming up, here is a rundown of some essential shopping tips for all forms of shoppers to save money.
1. First, make a shopping list and then go online.
We do not want to disappoint you but have you started with the essential tip already? A shopping list can be your lifesaver if you are going unplanned. And spontaneous shopping can lead to going overboard and lead to smashing the bucks. So, decide before going online. You can prepare a list of essentials followed by less-important articles or items. This will help streamline your shopping movement and won’t impact your conscience when you head unplanned and come across a flabbergasted bill at the end of it all.
2. Compare product prices
Once you have made up your mind on what to buy, consider checking multiple websites for price comparisons and reviews. Remember, different sites will not have the same price. Some may run impromptu discounts, and some may sell it at the same price. If you are lucky, you may come across merchant and bank offers on the minimum cart value. Who knows!
3. Discounts, Coupon codes, Cashback – check the fine print.
Many online shopping stores have specific partnerships with financial institutions during major festive sales. As a result, you may come across significant discounts on debit and credit cars. If that is not the case, flat discounts, season sales, and certain cashback will always be available. Besides, if you have a loaded cart with a scorching figure, consider looking for monthly installment offers. However, make sure you check the T&C before selecting any of these offers.
• Upfront discounts provided by online stores are relatively preferable.
• If any cashback is available, check the duration that a bank may adhere to before crediting the amount.
• Check if any amount stringed with cashback will be credited to the wallet or your bank account.
• Ensure if you can combine two offers at once, such as cashback with a discount.
4. Cashback, Offers, and Reward Points on Credit/Debit Cards or Wallets
Despite the partnerships between financial institutions and online e-commerce stores, you may come across offers that may be applicable if your cart amount exceeds a specific amount or you shop during a particular time or period. These offers can be in the form of cashback, discounts, movie tickets, and vouchers for shopping. Furthermore, there are new payment and wallet apps that keep sending notifications and emails if you make certain payments through them.
To begin with, you can keep a constant check on these apps and create a filter or label to put a cap on selected emails. In the end, you need to be a lucky shopper to avail such discounts and offers.
5. Set price alerts
Most online shopping stores have features to help compare multiple prices and set alerts for products you have added to the cart. Post this; you will be notified if the prices drop. If you shop through the web, consider adding extensions to your Chrome bar and use third-party applications.
6. Free Shipping is a bonus.
While shopping, every cent saved counts. Start by checking the product if it is being shipped without any delivery charges. Most websites offer free delivery after you have reached the cart value or for premium shoppers who have secured the brand’s membership. Your research will allow you to see if the seller displays a lower price and higher delivery cost. This cancels out the cost advantage you were entitled to hold.
7. Check online shopping communities.
Dedicated websites exist on the internet that deal in posting stories, reviews, and upcoming offers. These are referred to as shopping communities where like-minded shoppers reach out and share their experiences and expectations for upcoming sales.
8. Leverage your friend’s circle and social network
If you’re active on Twitter and Facebook, several Pages and Twitter handles are there that happen to share exciting deals. In addition, if you have already narrowed your product search, requesting an opinion or suggestion among your friends’ circle or on social media can allow you to validate the choice. Sometimes, some blessed soul can suggest better products or share discounted links with lower-priced alternatives.
9. Check product reviews
Since this is pivotal, it can also be subjective. What works for another individual could be a deal-breaker for you. As a shopper, you need to know that full-time writers are hired by e-commerce stores to write flattering product reviews. So, look for genuine comments. And, if you encounter a genuine one, observe if the product has certain disadvantages or defects. Moreover, one can check other websites as well for authentic and unbiased reviews.
10.“There is always a better offer somewhere else.”
This may be true. As prices keep on fluctuating all the time – the tip being, determine if you want to buy something impulsively or can wait for a few more hours, days, or perhaps weeks. And, once you come across a flattering deal, go, grab it. Most shoppers tend to make this innocent error of buying a random product with a deal offer. Avoid such temptations! Either you can wait for the right time to arrive or can go all-in.
We hope you found all these online shopping tips valuable and helpful. Be responsible and thoughtful while shopping!
Featured Image Credits: Pixabay
