The gift-giving season is nearly upon us this year, and for those of you who think like me, this means time to SHOP! And I don’t know about you, but this year I will be doing most of that in my pajamas and in front of the computer, from the comfort of my own home. Online shopping has come a long way in the last decade. Gone are the days of worrying (too much) about the security of using your credit card online and waiting for those darn images to load. The online marketplace is a multi-million dollar industry for couple of very important reasons: convenience and great deals!
As the popularity of online shopping grows, however, so do the chances of finding the best deals without dedicating half or more of your day to sifting through website after website. The key to optimizing your online shopping time is navigating quickly through a tangled web of information to find what you are looking for, at the best possible price, with the best and least expensive shipping cost. I recently came across an article I would like to share with you that outlines some tips to help you reduce your online shopping time and make this gifting season a smooth one.
Here is the skinny on becoming more online shopping savvy:
(courtesy of www2.nbc13.com)
1: Get a feeling for what you are looking for before you power up the computer. If you know what you need, you are likely to stay focused and home in on the right item. Specific items are good, but you also can broaden searches to categories such as antiques, transformers, comic books, etc.
2: Use a search engine to narrow down ideas. Everyone knows Google, but other search sites exist and could lead to better choices. Check out Yahoo.com, Ask.com and Bing.com (Microsoft).
3: Look for deals; they are not always apparent. Narrowing your search by adding terms such as “coupons,“ “promotional codes” and “deals” to your primary search terms can yield a wealth of savings.
4: Check the home pages of retailers. Sites like to show storewide offers on the home page but may not refer to them again at other parts of the site. This is where you may be able to find promotional codes for savings at checkout.
5: Pay attention to purchase details/requirements. Make sure you understand what is needed to get the best deal — “buy one, get one free” (BOGO’s), gifts with purchase, quantity price breaks, etc.
6: Be on the lookout for the coupon/promotional code box at checkout! If you did not do step 3 above and the site has a box that says “Promotion Code” or some other coupon input, open a new browser tab, and google “online coupons.” If you want to bypass the googling process, simply type www.retailmenot.com into your newly opened tab’s address bar. This website is a GREAT online coupon website that gives you user and wessite posted coupon codes with the percentage of success rate, as rated by fellow online deal seekers.
7: Always look for free-shipping offers. Other alternatives include shipping to a local store for pickup or shipping directly to a recipient to save the cost of reshipping (many retailers offer gift wrapping and split shipments). This is a great way to save.
Finally, don’t forget to check out your online auction websites such as eBay.com on online classifieds such as the iTaggit.com classifieds to find some great deals at great prices this season!!
