Saving money is trendy in this economy. There are countless stories of people saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars on their purchases–all thanks to coupons and promo codes. Online shopping is a coupon-clipper’s best friend, but this is only the case if they are knowledgeable about how to properly shop online. Continue to read for helpful strategies on saving money.
Be certain you have good anti-virus and anti-malware software installed on your computer before you begin online shopping. Even the largest sites can be hacked and altered to include nasty code. Look out for warning signs, and be sure you report any suspicious activity.
Don’t give out your SSN when shopping online. There is no website that needs this number for you to make a purchase. A website that asks you for this number at any point in the purchasing process is a deeply suspect one. Take off and find a better store to buy from.
Amazon Prime is great for those who shop online frequently. This membership only costs $79 annually, and you get a lot for the money. Membership entitles you to free 2-day shipping and discounts on expedited shipping. Plus, you have access to a great library of movies that you can stream for free. You will save money from this as well.
Check the URL before entering credit card information. It should start with “https”. You cannot be sure your information is being stored securely otherwise.
If you shop with a particular online site often, you need to think about registering with that site. This saves you both money and time when you’re ready to checkout. You might get notified about sales before the general public finds out. If you have an account, you can track orders and keep tabs on returns much more easily.
Look at purchases carefully before clicking the “sale” button, no matter which online store it is. Take a few moments to ensure that you have selected the correct item, color, size, and style. Go over everything in your shopping cart carefully and make sure you are buying exactly what you think you are buying.
If you’re shopping online quite a bit you should see if you can sign up for something that offers discounted or free shipping. Such services will provide a list of their partner stores, and will provide no-cost trial memberships to let you determine if the price is worthwhile to you. After trying a few services, you will be able to make an educated choice.
Look for websites that feature live agents or instant chat to help if you have a lot of question. Such live help options allow you to get answers in real time. Depending on the details and retailer, you could request free shipping or a small discount. Some are definitely glad to offer you these perks because you’re placing an order.
If you have not noticed the padlock when shopping before, make a note to search for it on your next visit. This lock means the company has done what they need to do to be sure you are making safe purchases through them. While it’s not absolutely fool proof, it can help.
Search for a coupon code prior to making a purchase. Retail Me Not and other sites actively catalog discount codes for a lot of sites. If you can’t find a code for the site you want to use, try searching for the name of the site plus the words “coupon code”. You might just discover one in the end.
Use your browser’s bookmark option to keep up with your must-visit shopping websites. The stores you visit regularly should all be there. You can also bookmark websites that offer promo codes and sales dates. This helps you with just a couple clicks to find items you want from retailers you already trust.
Now you can shop for less online. Once you become a savvy online shopper, you’ll get better deals on better merchandise, and it’ll be delivered straight to your doorstep! You cannot ask for better shopping conditions than this.
