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Shopping can be a lot of fun, until you realize that you’ve spent way too much money. Many of us have fallen victim to impulse buys, only to regret it when the same item goes on sale a couple days later. And while some people may be able to save on clothes by shopping at the thrift store, others need to shop for groceries on a tight budget.
Luckily, there are some ways for us all to become smarter online shoppers and find the best deals on whatever we need. From understanding the different types of deals available to using tools like cashback sites and price trackers, read on for tips that will help you get more bang for your buck!
1) View product page comparisons.
The quickest way to save on your shopping trip is to view product page comparisons. Once you’re done checking out the listings, check back with the same products on another site to find out which stores are selling the product cheaper.
You can even view the price difference over time to see how much it has dropped. This way, you can shop at your favorite stores when they’re on sale and save your money for other items.
2) Read online reviews.
If you’re looking for a good deal, try searching online for a buyer’s review and read what other people think. On Buyer’s Guide, you can read reviews of products and see the prices at your local store, as well as learn about products’ pros and cons. You can even compare online stores and find out where to buy what you need, or where to save money.
YouTube is also a good place to find product reviews, like unboxing videos or product videos. You can watch videos that show the item in action and watch the person open the box, which is a fun way to learn more about what you’re buying.
3) Explore price trackers.
If you’re really looking for the best deals, you’ll want to use a price tracker to find the best prices for whatever you’re buying. A price tracker will help you track the price of an item over time. This lets you see if it’s dropped in price and helps you avoid buying a product that’s discontinued.
4) Beware of fake reseller discounts.
Many online stores use markdowns and discounts to sell products. However, many vendors use this to try and get their products featured at the top of sales promos. They might mark up the price by 80%, then drop it back down to the regular price as part of a “sales promo”, and retail websites will feature it on the front page.
Make sure you research a product’s MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) so that you aren’t tricked by fake discounts.
5) Use a cashback site to help with your purchase.
Cashback and coupon sites will give you an additional percentage of back on your purchase. The best way to find out which ones you can use is to see if you can get the sign up bonus. Often, a lot of stores have a sign up bonus that is just a small percentage of your purchase price. The more you spend, the bigger the bonus. Some sites will even give you the bonus on your first purchase.
6) Use alerts on wish list items.
If you do a lot of online shopping, you’ll likely end up with a ton of items on your wish list. Many retail sites will notify you when items on your wish list go on sale, giving you a good chance to save money. This is especially useful if you curate your wish lists before major shopping holidays, like Black Friday.
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