Save Money When Shopping Online

Authored By: Community Financial Credit Union on 3/16/2021

It’s time to replace that rush you get from filling your virtual cart with the high that comes from saving a ton of money. Online retailers are experts at getting you to go from “I-gotta-have-it” to “It’s-on-the-way-to-my-house” quicker than you can say “buyer’s remorse.” Using these handy tips, you can beat them at their own game and get the best prices for the items you really want.

Ready to start saving?

Tip #1: Outsmart dynamic pricing

Remember that day when you went online, just to see ten different ads for that outfit you were looking at a while back? Dynamic pricing is that slightly freaky way retailers have of knowing just which products—and in just which price range—to show you. This can often lead you to paying extra (and buying more!) than you normally would.

Outsmart dynamic pricing with these tips:

  • Clear your browsing history or shop incognito
  • Log out of your email and social media accounts
  • Choose localized websites of international brands

Tip #2: Time your purchases just right

When you’re looking to buy a certain type of item, it’s handy to know the perfect time to purchase. These are a few of our favorites:

  • Sunday’s your day to score cheap airfare.
  • Bookworms, hit up Amazon and Barnes & Noble on Saturdays when they launch most of their book sales.
  • Shopping for a new computer? Wait for Tuesday. That’s when big retailers distribute coupons.

For most other purchases, it’s best to shop Wednesday-Friday for the best deals.

Tip #3: COUPONS! (and know how to layer them)

When it comes to layering coupons, always use a promo code before a discount coupon. A promo code takes a specified percentage off your entire purchase, while a discount code takes off a dollar amount. If you do it the other way, you’ll save less money. Don’t believe us? Do the math. We’ll wait.

Also, if you have an item sitting in your shopping cart, many retailers will often follow-up with you later. Check your inbox and you could be surprised with a coupon code in your email for you to use on the “forgotten items” in your cart.

Tip #4: Ask for price-drop refunds

Don’t you hate it when you find out what you bought yesterday just price-dropped? The good news is that some companies offer a refund for newly discounted items if you notify them within a certain timeframe. That’s money back in your pocket. Sweet!

Tip #5: Use multiple emails for discounts

Many retailers offer hefty discounts with one-time promo codes for new customers, but you can be a new customer more than once by using a different email address.

Tip #6: Don’t shop alone

We’re not talking human companionship here. It’s 2021! Consider shopping online with the help of a money-saving app, like Honey, Rakuten, or Retailmenot.com.

These websites or apps can help you save money by testing coupon codes for you, giving you money back on your purchases, or letting you browse sales and coupons for hundreds of retailers!

 

Your Turn: How do you save money when shopping online? Share your best tips with us in the comments.


Community Financial neither endorses the information, content, presentation, or accuracy nor makes any warranty, express or implied, regarding any external site.



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