Do you ever wonder how to save money with online shopping? Is it necessary to spend a lot of time snipping coupons and looking for sales. Nope, you sure don’t have to. Start here with this article, and put the tips you learn here to work for you.
Never try to shop directly from a link someone sent you in an email, unless it’s a widely known and respected site, like Amazon.com. Too many consumers get tricked into scams via hyperlinks in questionable emails. Visit the URL of the site mentioned in the mail, instead of clicking the link itself.
If you shop online frequently, be sure that your computer’s anti-malware is always running and updated. Hackers often target major shopping sites in an attempt to steal personal information or to break into your accounts. Pay attention to warnings yielded by antivirus software and make sure you report unusual activity to the store itself.
When you first plan to use a merchant, evaluate their previous reviews from customers. You can usually use this as a guide as to what you can expect from the merchant’s services or products. Any stores with consistently low ratings should be avoided.
Be wary of any emails you receive, even if they appear to be from a retailer you trust. Never click on a link that directs you to a site other than the one you shopped on. If you do, you may become vulnerable to a scam. Rather than clicking on an email hyperlink, just go up to your browser and type in the web site you want to go to. It is much safer that way.
You should think about purchasing a prepaid debit card and loading it when you intend to make purchases. This will help you avoid using debit or credit accounts that have a large balance. If someone gets the prepaid card information, there will be nothing on the card for them to take.
When you want to shop at an online retailer, look for coupon codes on the web. Merchants usually provide digital coupons as an incentive to attract shoppers. Just type in the retailers name and the word “coupon” in a search engine, and you will be taken to coupon sites where you can get a code.
When shopping online, always stop to read product reviews. Other customer’s reviews are one of your biggest assets. They will tell you whether clothing sizes run small or large, if there are any common issues with a product, or if it isn’t quite what the website describes. Taking these reviews into account could save you some big headaches later on.
If you followed a link from an email an online store sent you, pay attention to the URL. Some scammers send fake emails that look just like what a popular email store would send except that the URL is slightly different. Make sure you received an email from an official address and check the URL of the link you followed.
One way to save money is through points programs. For example, Swagbucks.com and MyPoints.com offer members the ability to earn points with their purchases. They also offer coupons for certain brands. When you redeem your points, you can get merchandise or gift cards, saving you even more money down the road.
Before you make a purchase, look on the manufacturer’s site for coupons and/or promotional codes. Many retailers provide discounts, so you need to check out deals pages before making a purchase. Even if you only stumble upon a code that offers free shipping, you may end up saving a lot if you have multiple purchases to make.
When you shop online, the best deals are often at the end of each season. Online stores are like actual stores. They seek to rid themselves of excess seasonal merchandise to make room for new seasonal merchandise. This is how you’re able to get something at a reduced price.
If you plan to shop online, be careful. Sizes tend to vary between brands and the way items fit might not always work on your body type. If you can, try the clothes on in a store first. If you can’t, buy from a retailer with a liberal returns policy.
Do you owe taxes on your purchase? Generally, it is tax free to shop online unless you choose a merchant based outside your state. If they are located in your state then they are obligated to collect sales taxes on sales. You may not even see the tax tacked onto your bill until you get your receipt.
Use search sites geared towards shopping. It is easy to “Google” a product, but a nightmare to sort through all the results. When you use shopping specific engines like Shopstyle, you can search based off criteria centered around shopping. You can do searches focused on brands, styles and specific sizes, thus narrowing your results and saving time.
After reading this article, you should feel confident to shop online. Don’t forget to apply what you have learned. When you shop online the right way, you save money, time and stress.
