How to Find Online Shopping Deals

Online shopping has redefined the word "convenience" to many shoppers out there. Say good bye to snobby sales associates, crowds at malls and stores, searching for parking, and carrying heavy purchases. With the ability to shop online becoming more prevalent, it is important to know how you can find the best deal without having to pay a hefty price for the luxury of shopping, all within the comfort of your own home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet/computer
• Credit card (having money to pay for those CC bills would help too)

1. Sign up for e-mail newsletters. This is the best way to be notified of exclusive online sales and discounts.

2. Search for coupon codes using search engines such as Google, Yahoo!, or Bing.

3. Search for the product itself, too. You might be able to find the item selling for cheaper through another merchant.
   
   Say if you were looking for a Guess shirt, it may be cheaper at Macy's than Guess. Or if you're looking for a Logitech keyboard, it may be cheaper at Buy.com or Fry's than Logitech. Amazon is also one such merchant.

4. Look for deal websites that may have listed a coupon or deal of your product.
   
   Try: spoofee.com, fatwallet.com, bensbargains.net, slickdeals.net

5. Make purchases through websites that give you cash back by linking to stores through their websites. If you go to evreward.com and enter the name of the merchant you are shopping at, it will list all the sites that give you cash back and the percent you will earn.
   
   Some examples of these sites are: ebates.com, Fatwallet (http://www.fatwallet.com/cash-back-coupons.php), and Bing Cashback.

6. Some credit card companies also do something similar. Sometimes if you link to a store through the credit card website, (e.g. ShopDiscover) you will receive cash back. Also check all of your cards to see if there is a discount or certain percentage cash back for using the card at a specific store.

7. Combine purchases with friends or family so that shipping costs come out to be relatively cheaper.
   
   Some merchants offer free shipping for spending over a certain amount. Other times, it will be cheaper to split shipping costs with a friend if you combine the transactions and have everything shipped to one address.

8. If all else fails and you can't find a good deal for the item you want, try classifieds or auction websites like Craigslist and Ebay! If you don't mind purchasing a previously owned item, this might be where you find the best and most affordable deals. Sometimes these are new items that have never been used and the description will indicate that. Be sure to read the details carefully!

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient. If the purchase is not urgent, you may miss out on saving money by hastily making a purchase.
• Read carefully. Nothing is more frustrating when you can't figure out why the coupon code won't apply to your shopping cart. Make sure all the terms and conditions for the discount are met and that it hasn't expired yet.
• You can use me as a referral to receive a sign-up bonus from Ebates, Cashbaq, or Mr. Rebates. Referral links are listed in the Resources section below, or feel free to leave me a message to find out details.
• When purchasing from sites like Craigslist or Ebay, be aware of the return policy, if there is even one. Most of the time, you get what you pay for and it's a final sale. So be sure you want to purchase the item before you contact the buyer or make a bid. It will be final!
• You may have to adhere to a less flexible return policy when purchasing clearance or discounted items, even when purchasing from a brand store.

Resources

• Spoofee
• Fatwallet
• Ben's Bargains
• Slickdeals
• Ebay
• Craigslist
• Amazon
• ShopDiscover
• ev'reward.
• Ebates
• Bing Cashback
• Mr. Rebates
• Cashbaq
• Big Crumbs

[BellaCasa]

on 2/13/2009 I love a great online deal! You have some sites here that I have not heard of before. Thanks! 5*

[KASSY]

on 9/17/2008 Another great online shopping deal is salesplanet.ws

[jbeck94]

on 11/26/2007 Another great coupon code site is www.gogoshopper.com Just search the brand of the item, and it gives you GREAT coupon codes, such as free shipping and 50% off. Happy Shopping!

[coachmac4]

on 10/21/2007 This is a really good and thorough article! I have used a few of these site but I will check out the rest. Thanks!

[iamaz2]

on 10/1/2007 I've been an avid user of these online bargain sites. I absolutely agree with the above tips. Be patient and find great deals!