If there is one thing that I love doing, it’s adding things to the cart. Now, you might be thinking that I am too rich.
Well, no. Generally, I just like to fill things in my cart and leave it. Occasionally, I go through my cart, filtering things I actually need and ordering them.
Does that make me financially savvy?
Maybe, not. However, I have a few tricks up my sleeve that I use for saving money on online shopping. These tips range from using specific price tools to collecting random coupons or waiting for sales, and avoiding online shopping on specific days.
So far, it has worked for me, and it might as well work for you.
If you are also tired of wasting money on online shopping, keep reading. This write-up will help you not just save money on online shopping, but will also help you avoid common online shopping mistakes.
See also: GoMyFinance.com: Tips for Saving Money Efficiently
Buy on Sale
If you want to buy online, always plan in advance. This means you’ll need to keep an eye on the kind of product you want to purchase and the type of sale that might cover it.
For instance, if you are into tech and want to make a purchase, it is much better to wait for Cyber Monday or Black Friday. Both these sales are focused more on tech products.
A few months ago, I was shopping for a new internet plan after finally getting tired of my previous ISP’s shenanigans. Just when I needed it, I found out that AT&T was offering a $150 Reward Card for customers who switch to their fiber internet connection. So, lickety-split, I dialed the AT&T customer service number and got myself the deal, killing two birds with one stone.
Compare Prices
Now, if it is not about tech and you want to purchase a gadget or fashion item, comparing prices is a must. In most cases, e-commerce stores have common suppliers. These suppliers do not design customized products. Instead, they have a catalog that they share with different platforms.
Apart from this, there are third-party marketplaces where you can find similar items, even though these items are sold and manufactured by the same supplier. Generally, the e-commerce platform and shipping fees add up to make things expensive.
To avoid this issue, it is much better to compare prices online for each item before making a purchase. A common tactic that is used by customers is “search by picture”.
This strategy helps in comparing prices of the same products available on different platforms. Moreover, there are apps where you can find dupes of luxury items and even connect with the manufacturer directly to save money.
Abandon Cart
The ‘abandon cart’ strategy is slightly controversial.
In most e-commerce sites, when the customer has an abandoned cart sitting in the account, the company runs a sale on all the products. This way, the buyer gets a notification about the sale items and can easily save money.
However, in other cases, e-commerce stores apply diverse pricing strategies. This strategy determines the overall demand and supply ratio, and eventually sets the prices based on high demand. So, if the items within your cart fall into a high-demand category, this will instantly result in a high price.
On the contrary, if the demand is low, the price will reduce and you will be able to buy the same product at a discounted price. Keep in mind that this strategy can be risky.
Collect Coupons
Coupon collection sits at the core of most e-commerce stores. When a customer signs up and makes an account, stores generally get their information. Each account is then monitored and tracked based on its purchases.
If an account is dormant for too long, the store generally tries to encourage the user by offering free coupons.
Another very popular coupon strategy is based on the amount of money sent by the account. If you are a regular customer and have been splurging on shopping, most online stores try to encourage and even incentivize this behavior by offering coupons.
By using these coupons, you will be able to not just save a lot of money on your next purchase, but might even land a free prize.
Check Newsletters
Who likes to open random business emails? Most people leave them unopened or even delete them. However, you might be sitting on a goldmine if you filter these emails properly.
How?
Well, newsletters are a great way to stay informed about the upcoming sales and discount offers on your favorite products. When you receive a business’s email, make sure to scan through it because they are designed for each customer based on their interest, as well as high-demand products.
Simply put, online shopping has become the norm now. Most of us rely heavily on online platforms for purchasing everyday products, but this can lead to making fewer purchases as well. The above-mentioned tips will make your online shopping process hassle-free.
