17 Smart Ways to Save on Shipping Costs for Online Shoppers

Tired of outrageous shipping fees eating into your savings? You're not alone! At Dealhack, we’re passionate about helping you keep more money in your pocket. In this guide, our team of online shopping experts shares 17 smart ways to save on shipping costs for online shoppers. Say goodbye to expensive delivery charges and hello to smarter shopping!

In this post, you'll learn:

How to find free shipping offers
The best strategies for combining orders
Ways to use shipping calculators and apps
Tips for taking advantage of store memberships and loyalty programs
Creative hacks for reducing or eliminating shipping fees

1. Look for Free Shipping Offers

Free shipping is a goldmine for online shoppers. Many retailers offer free shipping promotions during holidays, sales events, or when you spend a certain amount. Here's how to take advantage:

Sign up for newsletters: Many stores send exclusive free shipping codes to their subscribers.
Check deal websites: Platforms like Dealhack aggregate the latest free shipping offers.
Use promo codes: Look for promo codes that waive shipping fees on sites like RetailMeNot or Honey.

2. Combine Orders to Meet Minimum Purchase Requirements

Often, retailers offer free shipping if you meet a minimum purchase amount. Here are some tips to reach that threshold without overspending:

Plan your purchases: Instead of buying items separately, combine them into one order.
Coordinate with friends or family: Split the purchase with someone else to meet the minimum requirement.
Stock up on essentials: Purchase non-perishable items in bulk for free shipping.

3. Utilize Shipping Calculators and Apps

Shipping calculators and apps can help you find the best shipping rates and compare costs across different carriers. Here are some tools to consider:

ShipGooder: Compare shipping rates from major carriers like USPS, FedEx, and UPS.
ParcelMonkey: Find discounted shipping rates for domestic and international shipping.
ShipStation: Manage and compare shipping options for multiple carriers.

4. Take Advantage of Store Memberships and Loyalty Programs

Many retailers offer memberships or loyalty programs that include free or discounted shipping as a perk. Here are some popular programs:

Amazon Prime: Free two-day shipping on eligible items and other benefits for an annual fee.
Walmart+: Unlimited free delivery on eligible items with a monthly or annual subscription.
Target RedCard: Free shipping on most items and 5% off every purchase.

5. Use In-Store Pickup Options

Many retailers offer in-store or curbside pickup options, saving you shipping costs altogether. Here’s how to use them:

Choose "Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store": This option is often free and allows you to pick up your items at a nearby store.
Check availability: Not all items are eligible for in-store pickup, so verify availability during checkout.

6. Explore Subscription Services

Subscription services can offer significant savings on shipping costs for frequent shoppers. Consider these options:

Boxed Up: Save on bulk purchases and free shipping on all orders.
Instacart Express: Get free delivery on grocery orders over a certain amount with a monthly or annual membership.

Comparison of Membership Programs

Program	Annual Fee	Shipping Benefit	Other Perks
Amazon Prime	$119	Free 2-day shipping	Streaming services, Prime Day deals, and more
Walmart+	$98	Unlimited free delivery	Fuel discounts, mobile scan & go
Target RedCard	Free	Free shipping on most items	5% off every purchase
Boxed Up	$49	Free shipping on all orders	Exclusive discounts, rewards on purchases
Instacart Express	$99	Free delivery on orders over $35	Lower service fees

7. Use Third-Party Shipping Services

Third-party shipping services can often provide better rates than the retailer’s shipping options. Consider these services:

MyUS.com: Offers package forwarding and consolidation to save on international shipping.
Stackry: Provides tax-free shopping and discounted shipping rates by consolidating packages.
Shipito: Offers discounted international shipping and multiple package consolidation options.

Some retailers offer their own shipping programs that can save you money if you frequently shop with them. Here are a few examples:

Zappos VIP: Free next-business-day shipping for VIP members.
Best Buy Totaltech: Includes free shipping and other tech-related perks for an annual fee.
Nordstrom Rewards: Free standard shipping and returns for members.

9. Shop on Free Shipping Day

Free Shipping Day is an annual event where many retailers offer free shipping with no minimum purchase. Here’s how to take advantage:

Mark your calendar: Free Shipping Day usually occurs in mid-December.
Check participating retailers: Visit FreeShippingDay.com for a list of stores offering free shipping deals.
Plan your purchases: Make a list of items you need and buy them during this event to avoid shipping costs.

10. Use Shipping Consolidation Services

Shipping consolidation services can help you save on shipping costs by combining multiple purchases into one shipment. Here’s how it works:

Consolidate packages: Use services like Shipito or MyUS.com to combine multiple packages into one shipment.
Save on international shipping: These services are beneficial for international shoppers looking to reduce shipping fees.

Retailers often share exclusive free shipping codes on their social media channels. Here’s how to stay updated:

Follow your favorite stores: Watch their social media accounts for special promotions and codes.
Join online shopping groups: Engage with communities on platforms like Facebook or Reddit, where members share deals and free shipping codes.

12. Use Browser Extensions

Browser extensions can automatically apply free shipping codes and other discounts at checkout. Here are some must-have tools:

Dealhack: The Dealhack extension helps you automatically find and apply the best promo codes at checkout, including free shipping offers.
Honey: Finds and applies promo codes, including free shipping codes.
RetailMeNot Genie: Searches for the best coupons and deals, including shipping discounts.
Rakuten: Notifies you of cashback opportunities and free shipping offers.

13. Shop During Special Promotions

Retailers often have special promotions that include free shipping. Here are some key times to watch for:

Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Many retailers offer free shipping and massive discounts.
End-of-season sales: Look for free shipping offers as retailers clear out old inventory.
Holiday sales: Around significant holidays like Christmas, Easter, and Independence Day, many stores offer free shipping promotions.

14. Negotiate Shipping Costs

If you're buying from small businesses or individual sellers, don't hesitate to negotiate the shipping costs. Here's how:

Reach out directly: Politely ask if they can reduce the shipping fee or offer a discount.
Offer alternatives: Suggest slower shipping methods that might be cheaper.
Bundle purchases: Combine several items into one order to potentially lower the shipping fee.

15. Avoid Shipping Costs with Digital Products

Whenever possible, choose digital products to eliminate shipping costs altogether. Here are some examples:

E-books: Instead of buying physical books, opt for e-books, which can be downloaded instantly.
Software: Purchase and download software directly from the retailer's website.
Gift cards: Opt for digital gift cards that can be emailed instead of physical ones that require shipping.

16. Consider Local Options

Sometimes, local options can save you shipping costs and provide quicker delivery. Here’s how:

Local pickup: Use marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist for local purchases.
Community groups: Join local community groups where you can buy and sell items without shipping fees.
Farmer’s markets and craft fairs: Purchase directly from local sellers to avoid shipping altogether.

Stay informed about free shipping promotions by signing up for alerts and notifications. Here’s how:

Retailer alerts: Subscribe to your favorite retailers' email lists for updates on free shipping events.
Deal alert websites: Use sites like Dealhack to get notified about free shipping deals.
Mobile apps: Download apps from your favorite stores that send push notifications for free shipping promotions.

Conclusion

By implementing these 17 strategies, you can significantly reduce or even eliminate shipping costs when shopping online. Remember, the key is to plan your purchases, use available tools, and stay informed about promotions and deals. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to saving big on shipping.

FAQ

How can I find free shipping offers?

Sign up for retailer newsletters, check deal websites like Dealhack, and use promo codes found on sites like RetailMeNot or Honey.

What are the benefits of combining orders?

Combining orders helps you meet minimum purchase requirements for free shipping, reduces multiple shipping fees, and is more environmentally friendly.

Are there any tools to compare shipping rates?

Tools like ShipGooder, ParcelMonkey, and ShipStation can help you compare shipping rates from various carriers.

How do store memberships and loyalty programs help with shipping costs?

Many programs, like Amazon Prime and Walmart+, offer free or discounted shipping as part of their membership benefits.

What is in-store pickup, and how does it save on shipping?

In-store pickup lets you buy online and collect your items at a nearby store, eliminating shipping costs.

Can credit card perks reduce shipping fees?

Yes, some credit cards offer free shipping perks or allow you to use rewards points to cover shipping costs.

What are subscription services, and how do they help with shipping?

Subscription services like Boxed Up and Instacart Express offer free or discounted shipping on orders for a monthly or annual fee.

How can I use browser extensions to save on shipping?

Browser extensions like Dealhack, Honey, and RetailMeNot Genie automatically apply free shipping codes and discounts at checkout.

What are third-party shipping services, and how do they work?

Services like MyUS.com and Shipito offer package forwarding and consolidation, helping to reduce international shipping costs.

When is Free Shipping Day, and how can I use it?

Free Shipping Day usually occurs in mid-December. Visit FreeShippingDay.com for a list of participating retailers and plan your purchases accordingly to avoid shipping fees.