eCommerce experts predict that by 2021, online sales will make up a whopping 17.5% of all retail sales worldwide. And, that number is going to continue to rise.
This isn’t surprising, as we now know that online shopping actually saves you more money than shopping in-store.
While this is great news for those that love the comfort of shopping online, you’ll still want to arm yourself with a few money tips and tricks to ensure you’re getting your full money’s worth out of your online purchases.
All the Online Shopping Information You Need
1. Shop at the Right Time
As with in-store purchases, shopping online means that prices and discounts fluctuate throughout the year.
You’re more likely to find discounts when seasons change, particularly around Christmas and summertime.
March is the worst month for discounts, while other retailers like Macy’s offer sales throughout the year.
2. Purchase Items in Bulk
If you when a retailer is going to have a sale, then you’ll want to take advantage of it and purchase items in bulk.
Budget for these sales and prepare to spend a lot of money all at once. While this might seem counterintuitive, you’re actually saving money in the long-run.
If you know that, come fall, you’re going to need four new jackets for your two kids for the rest of the year, then you can purchase them when they go on sale in spring. Sure, it’s a big upfront expense, but it’s definitely worth it.
3. Search for Coupons
The beauty of online shopping is that you can search for coupons codes on the internet before you make a purchase.
Do a quick Google search to see if there are any coupon codes or discounts available.
Retail Me Not is one of the biggest sources of coupons and special offers, while the Chrome extension Honey will automatically search for an apply discount codes at checkout for you.
4. Compare Prices
Shopping online allows you the ability to check prices from multiple retailers before making a purchase to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Whether you want to check prices across multiple websites or employ the help of an app, it’s important to compare before you buy.
If you’re looking for a great price comparison app, try PriceJumper, which will let you compare prices from over 5,000 stores and online retailers before making a purchasing decision.
5. Pay Attention to Reviews
This is a particularly handy tip that you can’t take advantage of when shopping in-store. If you’re planning on investing money with a specific retailer, then take the time to search for multiple sources of reviews before buying an item.
This is particularly important for the more expensive items like electronics, furniture, and high-end clothing. Even though websites provide reviews internally, it’s best to check other sources.
6. Shop with a Credit Card Optimized for Savings
Did you know that, depending on which credit card you use, you may be eligible for refunds on purchases?
It’s a special feature called “price protection” that is designed to protect the financial interests of customers like you that want to receive the best price every time.
Shopping with a credit card optimized for price protection savings, travel points, and other types of money-saving and cashback rewards can help you build your credit score while also earning extra cash.
7. Ask for a Refund if the Price Drops
If you’ve purchased an item online and you see the price drop afterward, you might be eligible to request a partial refund of the price difference.
As mentioned above, price protection is designed to protect your financial interests in an online marketplace that constantly changes.
While most major retailers have some sort of price match policy, they each have their own time limits and requirements
