Always check for coupon codes. Even easier than clipping newspaper coupons is doing a quick keyword search for online discount codes. You might be surprised at how many of your favorite online vendors have deals floating around that you can take advantage of. On coupon code sites, people who receive updates or hear about online promotions share codes with other consumers. The users then try the codes and can report back on how successful the coupon worked with their online order. Simply searching for the name of the online store with the words “coupon codes” will get you to these sites—free.
Take advantage of comparison searches. One of the most convenient all-in-one shopping directories is Google’s Shopping search. Google finds products all over the internet that match the keywords you enter, and you can even choose to view only those items that ship for free. Other customizable search options allow you to find the best deal on a product before you purchase it. You can find comparable products with a click, and check out customer ratings, or filter by brand, price range, and more.
Buy from long-established sellers.If you’re searching through a community of sellers, like Amazon.com for instance, you may choose to purchase items from independent sellers. In this case, try to buy from a seller or company that has a history of success on the website. You can get a sense of how long they’ve been selling products by noticing the amount of customer reviews and ratings, or by checking any certifications, badges, or features that the website has given them for their reputability. Don’t buy from sellers with a poor customer satisfaction rating. If you notice that reviewers complain about particular problems over and over again, you’ll know to avoid the seller.
See if you can save with in-store pick-up. Online ordering doesn’t have to mean front door delivery. Delivering a product to the retail location nearest you can save you the costs of shipping, because some stores offer this service for free. Especially when dealing with heavy or very large items, it might be smarter to order the item to the store nearest you (Walmart, for instance), instead of paying more for oversized items to ship.
Review the return policy. Return policies differ widely between regular stores and online stores. Having to ship back items can be more confusing than it would be to take them back to a store. So make sure you know the online retailer’s rules about returning products. Some items are not returnable depending on the season in which they are purchased, their price at the time of the sale, or the condition of the item itself.