Online shopping is incredibly convenient. Because of this, some online retailers use tricks to charge you just a little bit more. Fortunately, there are some pretty simple hacks you can use to make sure you’re getting the lowest price possible. The next time you shop online, use these tips to save some money.
1) Fill up your cart, then wait a few days.
Online retailers track when someone puts items in their cart but doesn’t wind up buying them. They know the person is interested, but they assume that price was the problem.
In order to nudge you into purchasing, the retailer might send you a coupon for the items in your cart. In some cases, it might be as much as ten percent off. That’s not too bad for just waiting an extra day or two to buy.
2) Use those chat boxes to find additional discounts.
Some retailers have a little chat box that pops up, asking you if you need assistance. Many of us just close the box without interacting with it. That could be a mistake.
Ask that person (or bot) if they have any coupons or other discounts. In many cases, they’ll give you a promo code or point you to sales that you may not have been aware of.
3) Clear your cookies.
Many websites use dynamic pricing based on your browsing history. If you have visited a page multiple times, the price may inch up, prompting you to buy before it goes up again.
If you clear your cookies and clear your browsing history (or browse in incognito mode), you may get a lower price than you otherwise would. This is especially true when buying airline tickets or hotel rooms.
4) Check social media for exclusive deals.
Brands are all over social media, interacting with customers and driving engagement. One way they do that is to offer exclusive deals or sales.
If you regularly shop at a certain website, be sure to follow them on social media. If you’re about to buy, ask them directly for a coupon. More often than not, they’ll pass one along.
5) Use cashback websites to get rebates on your purchases.
Cashback websites are sites that use affiliate links to get a commission on your purchase. They then pass back some of that commission to you in the form of a rebate.
If you know you’re going to buy something, these websites will basically give you free money. In some cases, it’s as much as five percent, which really adds up over time.
6) Monitor websites to find which day of the week has the best deals.
If you regularly use a website, pay close attention to when they offer deals, specials, or just the lowest prices. Often, this is based on when they get new inventory and need to move the old inventory quickly.
Typically, this will be on a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, but it may be different for each site. Make note of which day of the week offers the lowest prices and be sure to shop on that day.
