Saving Money on All My Online Shopping

As a smart shopper I know I'll always find a better deal online than in a physical store. After all, the internet is bigger than any mall. I can search for expert advice, read customer feedback, look for the best price and leverage coupons. After years of cyber spending, here's what I do to save money on all my online shopping.

Expert Advice

Before I decide which product to buy, I look for reviews. For big purchases, I start with expert advice like that offered at Cnet for electronics, Edmonds for cars, or Consumer Search for a wide range of products. For smaller purchases, I look for user reviews on Epinions. I also look for customer ratings and reviews on large online stores like Amazon or Cabela's.

Price Comparison

I look for price comparison on websites like Yahoo Shopping, which typically provide shipping & tax information beside the price. A 1-to-5 user star rating helps me identify the best deals. And the direct link to the store makes shopping easy. I always look for stores that will not charge me tax and preferably offer free shopping.

Online Coupons

I never shop without a coupon. Websites like Retail Me Not will typically have an up-to-date coupon code. The store's Facebook or mobile pages may have coupons or offers on them. If I can't find a coupon, I look for the customer service number of the store and give them a call. Politely, I ask if they have any specials or coupons. I have always received a discount using this method.

Club Discounts

Many online stores are moving toward a club discount model. Membership is typically low and the discount can be as large as free shipping and 15% off the order. If I find the best deal at a store that offers a club discount, I may end up getting the club membership for free if my purchase discount cancels out the membership charge. This grants me a one-year discount for future purchases at that store.

Security Verifications

Before I shop at a new online store, I look for its BBB accreditation, any authorization logos like McAfee Secure or Authorize.net, 100% guarantee logo and any customer certification, such as a Bizrate logo. In short, I look for confirmation that the business is legitimate, offers secure online payment processing and 100% money-back guarantee. I'll also click the business Twitter button, to see how many followers it has, and its Facebook button to see how many people liked the page.

Confirm All Information

At times, the cheaper website will appear to have the same product. However, I always confirm the fact before buying. The size or quantity may be different, the material may be rated for warmer or colder weather, or the product may be about to expire or is out of stock. If I'm unsure about any part of the order, I give customer service a call rather than just pass on the better deal or, worse, go ahead with it and be disappointed upon its arrival.

Sign Up for Specials

Becoming a loyal customer online is a great way to receive offers, coupons and notification of specials. When I like a store, I sign up for its email coupons and specials. Some stores will offer rebate points on every purchase. Others will offer store bucks to spend in my next visit. However, though loyalty pays, I always make sure that there is no better deal somewhere else.

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