If you are an online shopping addict and the delivery man knows you by name (and not just because the package is addressed to you) then you need to know about these sneaky ways to save money when shopping online.
The unstoppable rise of ecommerce has made shopping and saving online easier and more convenient than ever. Us Brits are amongst the highest users of internet shopping in the world and most of us wouldn’t think twice about going online for our shopping needs.
Here, Bertie Stephens from Flubit.com, the online shopping service that creates better, private offers for consumers on products they are ready to buy, shares his top tips for saving money.
Connect with brands
Make ‘friends’ with the brands you buy from and you’ll be the first to learn about daily discounts and upcoming promotional offers. Now more than ever, brands actively reward online customer loyalty with member-only discounts and insider details of upcoming sales. Connect with brands by signing up for email and mailing lists and following brands on social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Shop around and plan ahead
During the traditional gifting seasons, like Christmas, plan ahead and be organised. You’ll be able to find the best prices and save money if you’re not rushing at the last minute just trying to get all of your shopping done. Give yourself plenty of time so you can find the most attractive deals.
Be patient and wait
If you don’t need a particular item right now then sit back and wait for a while, particularly if it’s a newly released or the latest piece of tech. Most products will eventually come down in price even if you have to wait a few months.
Look at cheaper alternatives
If you’re making a big purchase always check the alternatives rather than just going for the latest ‘on trend’ product. And don’t always trust the hype. Do you really need that iPad or could a Kindle Fire do the job? If you spend a bit of time researching the key features you’re looking for you might find a cheaper alternative will work just as well for you.
Check the reviews
One of the biggest advantages of the internet is the ability to access information instantly and the plethora of product review sites that now exist. It’s worth taking a few minutes to read reviews on the products you are interested in. Buying quality and reliability and a product that meets your exacting needs will save you money in the long run.
Buy in the sales
Ok so you need to be super organised to do this but you can save bags of cash if you buy your presents in the Sales. There are regular online Sales throughout the year so make a list of all the birthday and Christmas presents you need to buy and get them as when they appear. This will also help you budget effectively and spread the cost throughout the year.
Flash sales
If you can stay disciplined and have a very clear idea of the type of product you want to buy then flash sales or time limited sale sites could be worth a try. You normally sign up and get alerts sent when products become available. But beware of lengthy fulfillment and delivery times so always check first.
Earn your rewards
Seeing as you you’re paying with plastic anyway, try to use a credit card that gives you cash back or reward points to help reduce the cost of other expenses. If you pay for all of your online shopping and everything else using the same card the money you make back can soon mount up. Plus it will help with your budgeting to have all your expenditure in one place. Just make sure you pay it off every month so you don’t get stung on the interest
Be part of the community
Register at community and forum sites such as HotUKDeals.com to be kept informed about the latest deals and offers. Some of these sites have millions of members so there is always something worth knowing about and you can search by topics or products.
Use Flubit.com!
If you shop on Amazon.co.uk then just give Flubit.com the weblink for the product you want to buy and you’ll receive a better offer. It’s free and there’s no obligation to buy. You can get a better price on pretty much everything you buy online!
