While brick-and-mortar stores still account for most shopping purchases, 20 percent of retail purchases are expected to occur online this year, a projected 9 percent jump YOY, according to Forbes.
If you’re like me, you love the convenience of shopping in your PJs. But how do you find the best deals while you scroll? The following tips will help you score the very best price on all your purchases, from books to the shelves that hold them.
1. Do your homework
To make sure you’re getting the best price, use comparison tools like Google Shopping or Yahoo Shopping before deciding on where to shop. Simply enter the name of an item and a list of prices and retailers will magically appear. You might also be able to find coupons and request alerts if the price dips below a certain threshold.
2. Use browser plugins
Now that you’re armed with info on which retailers have what you want at the lowest price, see if you can get an even lower price by installing browser plugins from deal sites like RetailMeNot and Rakuten.
Once the plugin is installed, a pop-up window will appear with available coupons and/or cashback as you browse online. Some of these tools will even test coupons for you at checkout!
There are also lesser-known plugins like investment platform Acorns, which allows you to earn cash back on purchases and then invests that savings for you (click the link to get $5 when you join!). There’s also GiveFreely, which has coupons and also donates a percentage of your purchase to your favorite charity, at no cost to you!
3. Dominate dynamic pricing
You’ve probably noticed that prices fluctuate depending on when you look. This is because many sites use “dynamic” or “surge” pricing, which can cause prices to rise and fall due to demand, timing, and other factors. Rumor has it some sites even price items based on your personal browsing habits, so try clearing your search history before shopping.
An easy way to keep an eye on prices at popular e-tailers is by installing the browser plugin, PayPal Honey. As you browse, a pop-up window will appear with info about the recent price history of that item and might even suggest where you might be able to get it for less.
The Camelizer does this as well, but it’s specific only to Amazon. If the tool indicates that the price is high right now, try again in a few days or weeks.
4. Get gift cards
Retailers, like Target and Amazon, offer free gift cards when you make a specific purchase. This is a savvy way for them to keep you shopping with them vs. the competition, but it’s also free money for you!
Also, check sites like Gift Card Granny for discounted gift cards for the site where you plan to shop. You buy the gift card, which earns you cash back, and then you shop with that card. Right now, you can save up to $2.50 at Staples, Kohl’s, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and more.
5. Become a new/loyal customer
If you have not shopped on a certain site before, you probably have a “new customer” discount coming your way. The discount offer will pop up when you visit the site for the first time.
If there are sites you like to shop, sign up for their mailing list and loyalty programs. It may seem like a hassle, but doing this ensures that you’ll be aware of sales and other special offers. Some sites even send discounts on birthdays or offer bonuses for referring a friend.
If you don’t want to share your info or receive all those emails, following your favorite online brands on social media will also keep you in the loop.
And whether you are a new customer or not, familiarize yourself with the store’s return policies. Most (but not all!) e-tailers accept returns, but an increasing number charge some sort of return shipping fee and/or a restocking fee.
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