Online Shopping: Ways to Keep More Money in Your Pocket
Online shopping can help you find great values in everything from electronics to cookie cutters. With online shopping getting safer all the time, more and more people are discovering fun and savings. By following these simple guidelines, you can save even more.
Price Matching Policies
Look for price matching policies. While this is more common among brick and mortar retailers, you may be able to negotiate. Look for phrases like “guaranteed lowest price” or “won’t be undersold”. When in doubt, ask!
Don’t get too caught up in the excitement of finding a bargain. “Buy one get one free” isn’t a bargain if you won’t use the second one. But if you do find a great deal, don’t wait too long to take advantage. If the airline is offering a 2000 mile round trip for twenty dollars to help fill the plane, and you want to take the trip, buy the ticket today. It probably won’t be available tomorrow.
Double check pricing
Everybody loves a deal, but be suspicious if the price is too low. The products could be poor quality counterfeits or stolen. These are online shopping websites that can help you compare prices: Bizrate, Shopzilla, Froogle, and Pricegrabber.
Watch out for the details. Does ordering at low prices require you to “join the club” and commit to monthly membership fees? (Be especially alert if the club that advertises such a wonderful selection at such low prices says everything you want to order is “out of stock”). Be sure to look for shipping and handling fees—some retailers will offer an item for a ridiculously low price with shipping costs that bring the total up to more than the regular retail price with reasonable shipping.
You can search online for coupons by either product or store. Do a Google search for “coupon” or “promotional code”. You can also go to 247malls or Monkeybargains to search by store or product category.
Finally, cashback sites like Ebates, Butterflymall, or MyPoints can earn you cash bonuses or gift points for shopping online. And that keeps more money in your pocket!