Online Shopping Tricks That Save Big Bucks

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Do you shop online? If you’re like most shoppers, the answer’s probably yes. According to BigCommerce, 96% of Americans shop online. Not only is it fast and convenient, retailers are making it easier than ever to score a great deal. But don’t just take our word for it, give these money-saving online shopping tricks a try.

Take advantage of free shipping

For many shoppers, adding items into your cart isn’t a big deal, it’s the shipping costs that will have you rethinking your purchase. Luckily, there are a couple online shopping tricks you can use to avoid the extra expense. Most companies will waive the shipping fee as long as you spend the required minimum. So spend enough to get free shipping. Another option is to shop at retailers that offer free in-store pickup. Simply place your order online and you’ll receive an email notification when your items are ready to be picked up.

Earn cash-back rewards

Cash-back reward sites like Rakuten and BeFrugal make it easy to earn money while you shop. Just start your shopping trip through them and you’ll be rewarded every time you make a purchase. The earnings percentage varies per store but some retailers offer up to 40% cash back.

Join store mailing lists

An easy way to save money at your favorite stores is to join their mailing list. New subscribers usually receive a percentage off coupon to use towards their first purchase when they sign up. Additionally, you’ll get the inside scoop on sales, local store events and special discounts. Some companies even give mailing list subscribers early access to their sales. That means you’ll be able to get in and check out before all the good stuff is gone.

Use price comparison tools

In order to get the best deals online, you’re going to need to check multiple vendors. The good news is price comparison tools like PriceBlink make it less time consuming. Just download the browser add-on and they’ll automatically search for the lowest prices on the item your viewing. They’ll even alert you if they find a money-saving coupon.

Keep an eye out for price drops

There’s nothing more annoying than buying an item only to have the price drop a short time later. Don’t just shrug it off, get your money back. Apps like Paribus make it easy. Once you sign up, the app automatically scans your emails looking for recent purchases. If they find a price drop, they’ll reach out to the company on your behalf and request a refund. Please note, some apps charge a fee for this service so read the fine print. Another option is to check your credit cards’ price protection policy. Depending on the issuer, you may have 60 days from the purchase date to file a claim for the price difference.

Search for coupons

Once you’ve added the items to your cart and are ready to check out, take a minute to search for applicable coupons. Coupon sites like RetailMeNot make the process quick and painless. Just type in the name of the store and within seconds you’ll have a list of available deals. Choose the one that best suits your needs and watch the savings add up.