In an article from The Fiscal Times, Carly Fauth discusses the numerous ways to save by using coupons for online purchases. When using coupons wisely, you can get a great deal and save lots of money. However, there are also a number of pitfalls to avoid as well. Here is a list of the top 10 do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when shopping online with coupons:
Do: Combine coupon codes
When you shop online, be sure that all of your items qualify for any available discounts or sales promotions. Also look into coupon codes that may offer free shipping or other benefits such as 20% off your next purchase from specific stores. By combining various sales and promo codes, you can maximize savings even more. Do check out how to get free stuff on amazon.
Don’t: Forget about special requirements
Make sure that your coupon codes work for the specific item you intend to purchase. Certain coupons may only apply to products bought in bulk, and won’t work if you’re trying to buy a smaller quantity of an item. Also make sure there are no additional restrictions such as limited quantities or time periods for use before the coupon expires.
Do: Shop around – When shopping online, make sure that you compare prices from various retailers to get the best deal possible. Many stores offer their own sales promotions and discounts, so it pays to shop around and look into what each store is offering before making a final purchase decision.
Don’t: Rely on one store
Don’t be loyal to any single store because you may miss out on better deals by shopping around. Never assume that one retailer has the lowest price, and make sure you look into prices from other online stores before making a decision. Do check out some of the puma cashbacks here.
Do: Join your favorite retailers’ mailing lists or newsletters
When you sign up to receive notifications from merchants through email or websites, they will send out special offers to entice you to shop with them again. These promotional emails are just another great way for companies to get their brand in front of potential customers, so don’t forget about signing up when you join any website forums or mailing lists.
Don’t: Go overboard with promotional alerts
There is such a thing as too many promotional emails, so make sure you aren’t filling up your inbox every day with sale alerts. Some retailers send out very frequent messages about promotions when in reality they don’t have any good deals to offer at the moment. This is a common tactic used by online stores because it boosts customer traffic without having to offer anything substantial.
Do: Create wish lists
If you are saving for specific items or planning future purchases, create a wishlist of items that you want to buy. When the item becomes available, there will be no need to waste time looking through websites trying to find something similar since you already know what you are looking for. You can also include information about pricing so that you can track how prices fluctuate over time.
Don’t: Forget about sales – Make sure you follow the item after it gets added to your wishlist so that you don’t miss out on any sales promotions or price drops. Create a list of different items that you want, and then monitor how prices fluctuate over time so that you can buy at the best possible price.
Do: Look for coupons before making a purchase
Even if an online retailer doesn’t offer coupon codes for their merchandise, they may offer various discounts through mail-in rebates, free shipping offers, or completely separate clearance pages with steep discounts. For example, popular clothing stores like Gap often have promotional emails inviting shoppers to take advantage of special deals when buying specific products.
Don’t: Wait until the last minute to buy
Never wait for a sale or promotion before making a purchase because you may miss out. Sales can happen at any time, so always be prepared and have your payment information saved to expedite the checkout process. Only shop on websites that offer safe and secure transactions so that you don’t get ripped off while completing your purchase.
Do: Shop around during holiday seasons
Popular online retailers often jack up their prices during holiday seasons like Christmas and Black Friday, where high traffic causes prices to skyrocket. Instead of venturing into stores jammed packed with other customers, take advantage of these peak shopping times by sitting in front of your computer browsing deals from home.
Don’t: Forget to double check shipping costs
Most online retailers will offer free shipping if you spend a certain amount of money, but this number can range from store to store. It’s always a good idea to look into shipping and handling prices before making any final purchases because some retailers charge high fees that may deter customers.
Do: Compare alternate payment methods
If you are buying from an online retailer that only accepts one type of payment, such as PayPal or credit card, compare what other forms they accept as well. You might discover that the same website offers lower rates for another form than what you currently use. For example, many websites now offer special incentives just for opening new checking accounts with them because it helps their financial stats improve.
Don’t: Forget about shipping costs
Many online retailers offer free shipping as a bonus for spending a certain amount of money on items, but this can vary depending on where you live and what type of delivery options they offer for your region. Always double check the total costs before completing your purchase because many retailers will inflate these numbers with handling fees that may deter customers.
