Online Shopping Hacks
Are you tired of overspending on online shopping? Are you constantly trying to stretch your student budget as far as possible? Well, fear not, because we have some online shopping hacks that will help you save money! In this post, we will be sharing some tips and tricks that you can use before making any online purchases, so you can get the best deal. From using discount codes to comparing prices across different websites, we've got you covered. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to become an online shopping pro!
Compare prices online
When it comes to online shopping, comparing prices is a key strategy for saving money. You might assume that the first website you find with the product you're looking for is offering the best price, but that's not always the case. By taking a few extra minutes to compare prices across different websites, you can often find the same product for a lower price, or discover a better deal altogether. Trust us, your wallet (and your future self) will thank you for taking the time to compare prices before making a purchase.
Google Shopping is the most reliable price comparison site for finding the lowest price online. It searches a wide range of retailers, including big names like Amazon, Currys, John Lewis, and Tesco, as well as less traditional retailers like eBay, Etsy, and Groupon. To use it, simply search for the product you want, apply filters on the left-hand side, select an item, and click "compare prices from xx shops" to see a list of retailers. Although Google Shopping usually finds the cheapest price, it's still worth checking out other comparison sites like Kelkoo, Pricerunner, or Price Spy before making a final purchase.
Buy used or refurbished instead of new
Have you ever considered buying refurbished or used items instead of brand-new ones? It may surprise you to know that these items can be just as good as new, but significantly cheaper! Refurbished items are products that have been inspected, repaired, and restored to their original condition by the manufacturer or a certified refurbisher. On the other hand, used items are secondhand products that may have been pre-owned but are still in good condition. There are many great websites where you can find refurbished or used items at a great price such as eBay, Cex, and Amazon Warehouse. Speaking from personal experience, I was able to buy a Bose Bluetooth speaker for £80 less than the new one, and it has worked perfectly for over 4 years now! So, next time you need something, consider checking out refurbished or used options - you might just save some money without compromising on quality!
Abandon your shopping cart
Virtually that is! Did you know that many online stores will actually send you a discount code if you add items to your cart but then don't complete the purchase? It's a clever tactic called "cart abandonment" and it's becoming more and more common. Here's how it works: when you add items to your cart and start the checkout process, but then leave the website without completing the purchase, many online stores will send you an email reminding you of the items in your cart and offering you a discount code to encourage you to come back and complete the purchase.
More discount codes
Browser extensions can help you save money while shopping online by automatically finding and applying discount codes. It's true! These extensions automatically search for discount codes and apply them at checkout, so you don't have to spend time hunting for promo codes yourself. Some great options include Honey, Pouch, and Coupert. These extensions work by scanning the web for valid discount codes and applying them to your cart when you check out. This can lead to some serious savings, especially if you're a frequent online shopper. So next time you're getting ready to buy something online, give one of these extensions a try - it's always worth a shot to see if you can score a discount!
Newsletter discount codes
Sometimes sites have annoying pop-ups asking you to register for their newsletter. Next time you see one make sure they aren’t offering a nice 10% off voucher code before closing the pop-up. You can register, get the code to save some cash and then unsubscribe from the mailing list.
Live chat discount codes
These days every site seems to have a live chat support option. We’ve scored some discount codes from Currys and Minicabbit in the past by simply asking on the live chat if they currently have any discount codes available. Worth a shot!
Discounted gift cards
If you’re going to make a large-ish order from a single online retailer such as Amazon, Argos, Currys, John Lewis etc you should definitely check out Cardyard. At Cardyard people sell unwanted gift cards for a small discount on the face value. For example, currently, I can buy a £50 Amazon gift card for £48.50 (a 3% saving), not a massive saving but better than nothing. The less popular the store the bigger the discount, for example, you can get a £50 gift card for Pandora for £42.50 (15% off). There are cards from a range of stores including, Costa, Odeon, Diliveroo, Asda and Body Shop. The gift cards come with at least a year left to redeem but I would recommend only buying them if you are planning a purchase from that specific store.
Cashback sites
Another browser extension for your collection. Sites such as Top Cashback and Quidco offer cashback on everyday online shopping. It can sound a bit weird, but they do actually work. It works in the background providing minimal hassle and you’ll be surprised at the end of a year how much cashback you have earned.
To wrap up, saving money on online shopping is not as difficult as it may seem. By following some simple tricks and tips, you can potentially save a lot of money. The key takeaway is that there's nothing to lose by trying some of these tips and lots to potentially save.
So, next time you're ready to make an online purchase, don't forget to implement some of these money-saving strategies. Your wallet will thank you!