DealHack Guides
14 Online Shopping Hacks To Help You Save Money
5 minute read
Are you getting the best price on your online purchases? You could probably get that same product for a few bucks less (no monkey business)! Check out these 14 online hacks that could help us shopaholics get the real value for our money!
1. Register With Cash Back Sites
Signing up on cash back websites can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. Some of the most popular cash back websites are Rakuten (formerly Ebates), Mr. Rebates, and EvoShare. Choose from thousands of online retailers and earn rebates plus other benefits on eligible online purchases.
2. Join Rewards Sites
Sign up for reward programs such as MyPoints or Swagbucks. Every website works differently, but the main idea is to accumulate as many points as you can from making online purchases and completing surveys. Once you get enough points for redemption, you can have them exchanged for gift cards or cash back. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!
3. Take Advantage of Free Shipping
Choose free shipping whenever it's available, because why not? A lot of stores are now offering free shipping when your order comes up to a certain amount. Some companies provide expedite shipping free of charge as part of a special promotion. Some brands give costumers the choice to pay for a fixed monthly or yearly rate to get free shipping for all orders made during the subscription period. A couple of examples for this are Amazon Prime and Dash Pass.
4. Same Day Pickup
To be eligible for free shipping, you have to reach the minimum purchase threshold. But if you're only buying one or two items, take advantage of the in-store pickup option. This is how it works: first, you do your shopping online and second, drive to the nearest store to pick it up.Most retail stores such as Best Buy, Macy's, and Walmart offer same day pickup with no extra fees so you don't need to wait 3-5 business days!
5. Just Ask For A Discount
Don't hesitate to ask for a discount. When a chat box pops up, ask if the company is running any unadvertised specials or has promo codes available for use. If no chat box is available, don't hesitate to reach out to them on social media or through email. Companies often engage with consumers online and may respond with a great deal. A quick phone call to the company could also get you a discount.
6. Use Online Coupon Codes
There are plenty of coupons and promo codes available online if you knew where to look. Dealhack will save you the time and effort it takes to scour the internet for codes that actually work. Just go to our website, enter the name of your favorite store or brand in the search bar, and see what results come up! Happy shopping!
7. Know the Perfect Time and Day
Know which day of the week your favorite stores offer discounts. Many retailers mark items down at the end of the week. Restaurants also offer happy hour deals and it's usually in the afternoon.
8. Get Social With Stores
Follow your favorite stores and brands on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Be the first to know about their new products, sales events, and promotions. Some stores offer gifts and treats to thank their loyal customers so be on the lookout!
9. Read The Return Policy
Online shopping is a hit or miss. So, we suggest that you only purchase from sites that offer free returns in case you're not satisfied with the order that arrived. You want to make sure you can send the product back for free once you realize it's the wrong size, color, or fit. If you paid for the order to be shipped to you, paying again for return shipping will make you lose money. Stores such as Forever 21, Target,and Overstock give you plenty of time to start the return or exchange process for your order as long as you meet their terms and conditions!
10. Delayed Gratification
Hold off on making any non-essential purchases for a few days. Sites typically start their sales or offer discounts toward the latter part of the week, thus holding off for a day or two can lead to big savings. Furthermore, when items are left in a shopping cart, the company may reach out and provide a promo code or discount as an incentive for you to complete the order!
11. Use Comparison Shopping Engines
Compare shops easily with the help of sites that specialize in this task. Price Grabber remains a popular one with many consumers, although there are numerous others to choose from such as Google Shopping and Shopping.com.
12. Buy Discounted Gift Cards
Purchase discounted gift cards online. The percentage saved depends not only on the store, but also on the seller, yet numerous sites now offer these cards. Some top recommended gift card retailers are GiftCards.com, Cardpool, Raise, Gift Card Granny, and My Gift Cards Plus.
13. Join Store Rewards Programs
Participate in store specific reward programs. For example, Foot Locker offers a VIP program that provides members early access to sales. Sephora's Beauty Insider Program provides points for purchases to members, and these points can then be exchanged for specific items. Members of the Sephora's rewards program also receive more bonuses as they spend more within a year, thus it's definitely a program everyone should consider.
14. Stack Your Savings Strategies
The ultimate online shopping hack is combining as many promo codes and applying as many money-saving tips as possible. For example, you can purchase a discounted gift card, find an online coupon, and wait until a special is offered for free samples or free shipping! Get creative!
And there you have it. These 14 online shopping hacks will surely save you money…money to spend on your next shopping spree! Do you know any more tips to add to the list? If so, feel free to share them in the comments below.
