subject: How To Capture The Best Deals While Shopping Online [print this page] I would say that in today's digital age, there are few people that don't love finding a great bargain online. With sales, clearance, and auctions all at our fingertips, they are more difficult than ever to resist.
But despite all that, getting the absolute best deals through online shopping requires a specific strategy. It is by using this strategy that I was able to save hundreds on my recent holiday purchases for family and friends alike. It is also through that strategy that I am able to acquire new clothes, jewelry, and other favorite accessories without any guilt.
First of all, make a list of all of the shops that you frequent that have an online equivalent. Choose only a few--places where you really tend to cough up the cash--and sign up for their newsletter, which will go straight to your inbox.
Before doing so, make sure that you have thoroughly read each vendor's privacy policy, which will ensure that they do not sell your e-mail address to third party affiliates. If there is no such clause in their policy, then avoid the newsletter.
But newsletters alert you to clearance sales, promotions like free shipping, and other deals, and when you plan to shop there anyway, knowing when and how is the best way to save money.
However, you need to make sure you don't get carried away, and be way of their "everyday promotions." For example, one of my favorite clothing vendors offers free shipping on orders of 100 dollars or more, but if I only planned to spend 30 dollars in the first place, it is worth the sacrifice just to pay the seven dollars for shipping.
When you are planning to make a purchase online, try to be patient and begin looking well in advance of your needs. On auction sites and those that host independent vendors (like eBay and Amazon, respectively), prices tend to fluctuate over periods of weeks or even days.
That means you should begin your quest for specific items several weeks in advance, particularly if you are searching for gifts for any special occasion.
Don't forget about comparative websites. There are many special sites out there that gather pricing information on specific items--such as textbooks--and compare the lowest prices listed on other sites, allowing you to find the best place to buy.
One of the best ways to find unbeatable deals on miscellaneous items it to find wholesale closeouts. Websites like Buy Merchant, Overstock, and 1 Sale A Day, among many others, feature brand-name items that, for whatever reason, have experienced drastic price reduction, so through hunting for bargains on wholesale closeout sites, you will not be disappointed.
As a final note, I will remind you to be cautious when shopping online. Always be aware of an online store's privacy policy, and use PayPal to make purchases if you are unfamiliar with a site. Check with your bank and/or credit card company to ensure that you are well-protected against fraud. Happy shopping!
