Member Article

Tips on how to save money online

During the past years, online shopping has come a long way and has become something very simple and common. More and more people go to the internet to purchase anything from clothes and cosmetics to cars and electronics. As we shop online, it is essential to keep in mind that there are many options for saving money in comparison to the shopping in a store. So, let us go through some of the advanced shopping strategies in order to save money and get the best deals online.

1. Search Various Websites Patiently There’s a deep ocean of online retailers all over the world that offer the same products at different prices. Take some time and research which ones have the best deals. Every day, old promotions expire while the new deals come out. It’s just the way it works. In case you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, be patient and check back soon.

2. Create an Alternative Email Address Signing up to various newsletters, coupon sites and promotion lists can save you huge bucks, but some of us just hate it when our email is being spammed. Therefore, it would be a good idea to set up a new email account, so that your private account doesn’t get bogged down with all the unnecessary advertisements.

3. Register with Discount Codes Many people still haven’t realised that if retailers give you the option of entering a promo code, the chances are good that they have some discounts available. As a matter of fact, you may register with some of the popular websites such as Keycode.com, Dealcatcher.com, or MyCoupons.com. The registration is free, it doesn’t require a lot of time, and you will occasionally receive an email or newsletter with the latest deals.

4. Don’t Stick to a Certain Brand Name Having a certain product in mind which we want to buy, we as the consumers tend to focus on one brand name and fail to see other similar products that may be just as good as those in question, or even cost less money. It would be a good idea to keep an open mind as you shop and include a few more brands in your selection. Try to look at all other options before making your final purchase.

5. Read Product Reviews Prior to buying a product, it would be a good idea to research the item you’re interested in first. To get a buyer’s perspective, look for reviews written by other consumers and consider the product ratings. It only requires a few minutes to read about the item but may save you a lot of trouble.

6. Take Shipping Costs into Consideration Sometimes it happens that you find a product online at one reasonable price, but then discover the different price after the shipping costs are added. So, always take the shipping fees into consideration before you complete the order! Also, keep an eye on the promotions as the companies might offer half-off or free shipping.

7. If You’re Unhappy with the Product, Contact the Support Perhaps the worst thing that can happen to a customer is to receive a damaged or incompatible order. In case it happens, you should contact the customer support immediately. Find their email address, phone number or online chat. Most of the online retailers will be more than happy to assist, just give them the exact order number and they’ll solve your problem.

8. Choose the Right Day to Shop Even though you might be in temptation to spend your lazy Sunday mornings by the computer searching for various products and services, try not to spend your money too fast. The reason why is because most stores offer discounts and special deals on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

There are many tips on how you can save money as well as make your money go further in case you decide to gamble, but the most important thing is to set up an online budget and do the estimation on how much you can spend. Stick strictly to that budget and look at it as a form of entertainment and not a way to make money!

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Haris Saeed .