How to Save on Online Retail Shipping Costs

Don't hand over your money for shipping costs.

Do you feel bombarded by online retail shipping costs? Shipping costs for online purchases can ruin the best deals. Can you avoid these shipping costs, but keep the convenience of shopping online? Yes, you can. There are ways a savvy consumer can avoid these costs while shopping online. Follow these money-saving tips and your online retail shipping costs worries will be a thing of the past.

Instructions

1. Shop at online retail stores that offer free shipping. Check to see if they offer free return shipping as well. If they offer free shipping but not free returns, you can still buy it. If you don't want it once you get it, try reselling or donating it. You can sell it at a garage sale or online. If you donate it to charity, you might be able to write it off your taxes.

2. Ship to the store. If the online retailer has a store nearby, check to see if the shipping costs are waived or reduced if you pick it up at the store. You have the convenience and savings of shopping online, but won't have to pay expensive shipping costs.

3. Wait for the store to waive shipping costs. Some online retailers will waive shipping cost during sales or for holiday shopping. Waiting for those sales can save a lot of money off your online shipping costs.

4. Join the club. Some online retailers have membership clubs you can pay to join that will give you free shipping. Paying for this membership is only cost effective if the shipping charges for your online purchases are more than the membership fees.

5. Combine orders with friends or family members. Some online retailers have a set shipping cost no matter how much you order. Check with friends and family members to see if you can combine orders and split the shipping fee. If you have a very large order, try contacting customer service to see if you can get the shipping costs waived. It never hurts to ask.

6. Use a coupon for the online retailer. People post coupon codes online on several websites just for others to use. Search for online coupons to see if you can save enough to offset the shipping costs.

7. Sign up your email address on the website. Some online retailers will let you sign up to receive emails from them. These emails sometimes include coupon codes for free shipping or a percentage off your purchase.