When it comes to online shopping, how can I save money? I like the convenience of having my purchases shipped to my door, but I don’t want to pay through the nose for the service. The answer is reading all of the below helpful hints to help you save on your online purchases.
You should under no circumstances provide a social security number when making an online purchase. No one needs that information for you to purchase through them. If you are being asked for your Social Security number during checkout, you are probably on a scam website. Therefore, immediately exit the site and search elsewhere.
Look for great online deals around Wednesdays. Many physical stores have weekend sales, so to compete, several online retailers move the sales up a few days. That’s why you can find really good bargains online in the middle of the week.
Prior to entering any personal information on an online store’s website, check out the site’s URL. If it starts with “https” it is okay to proceed as this means your information is being safely encrypted. If you do not see those letters, you are exposing yourself to potential fraud if you continue entering your information.
Wait a day before you buy something. It’s really easy to click “confirm order”, but remember that’s real money you’re spending! Before you buy something, take a full 24 hours to see if you still like it tomorrow. This can be a great way to avoid a return and spending too much money.
A lot of online websites that you use for shopping give you quite a bit of information on the products they’re selling to help you make a better decision. A lot of times there are reviews that can be really helpful in making the final purchasing decisions. This is especially helpful when you’ve got lots of choices to make,
You should know that refurbished items also refer to surplus inventory. Read the description to determine if the product has been repaired or is merely excess stock. Looking to items that are surplus or refurbished can save you quite a bit in the long run.
If you are unsure whether or not you can trust an online vendor, look up their reviews online first. Many times, customers will post reviews about their shopping experience, both good and bad. One or two bad reviews should not put you off, but many bad reviews should set off warning signals.
Watch out for online retailer discounts that have short expiration dates. Too many online shoppers fall for the urgency of a good discount without really thinking it through. If the discount is for items that you need, it may be a good idea to use it. However, if the discount only applies to things that you wouldn’t buy otherwise, it’s not a good deal. Keep in mind that you could also find a better deal elsewhere, so think about it and do your research before you buy.
One site which offers great deals every day is Woot.com. At midnight central time they post an item at a super discounted price, and you have to grab them while they are available. Not only is this fun to do, it can save you a bundle on electronics and computer hardware.
Make sure you understand what you are getting when ordering a product online. Do not rely only on the picture or the title of a product page to determine what you are buying. Go through the description and specifics very carefully to get a better idea of what you are buying.
Amazon.com is a great place to get deals, but the real steals are often found in the used products available. When you buy refurbished, you often get an item which is even better than new as it has been rigorously tested. Other used products can be priced at super low rates.
Any time you shop online, be sure to review the store’s return policies. You want to be able to return a product if it is not right for you. You get stuck with an item if you buy it without returns available.
Know the difference between your credit cards and your debit cards. They may look the same, but they way they are handled and the protections they offer are very different. When shopping online, you should use your credit card. If the information is stolen, you will be able to dispute charges. However, if you use a debit card and the information is stolen, your bank account can be drained in seconds.
Now you know how to be able to shop online, have your items shipped directly to you, and yet not have to spend extra for the convenience. That means you have become a smart online shopper! Keep hunting for deals and buying what you need, all thanks to this article.
