One of the main reasons people shop online is to save money. But ask yourself: do you really save money when shopping online?
Since online stores are disrupting brick-and-mortar retail, offline stores are offering hefty discounts, too. So, there’s not really any price difference. Besides, the added shipping charges make online shopping slightly more expensive than offline shopping.
Sure, it’s more convenient and comfortable, but what about the pricing. We’ve got you covered.
Take a look at these tips to get the best savings online shopping.
1. Make a Shopping List
As lame and cliche it may sound, not creating a money saving shopping list is one of the major reasons why you end up spending more. Let’s assume a scenario.
You’re looking for a new pair of sneakers, but you haven’t really decided which one to buy. You haven’t decided on a budget either. So you open the shopping site or app and start looking for products. You come across a couple of sneaker pairs that you absolutely love. So, you add both of them to the cart.
But then you realize that you don’t have the right joggers to pair with one of the sneaker pairs. So you start searching for joggers and end up adding two of them two your list. And then you might add a couple of t-shirts, a bracelet, a pair of chinos, and the list is endless.
When you have a money saving shopping list, you know what exactly you’re looking for. This way, you don’t get distracted from other products and just focus on the items on your list. Hence, your cart amount remains less.
2. Compare the Prices
You might have a bunch of money saving apps for shopping. When looking for a product, be sure to check its price on multiple websites. The same product can be priced differently on different websites. Therefore, always compare product prices to ensure you get the best possible deal every time.
3. Look for Discounts, Cashback, and Coupon Codes
Almost all money saving apps for shopping partners with credit card and bank companies to offer discounts and cashback. These offers could be in the form of upfront discounts or EMI concessions.
Besides, these shopping money saving apps launch sales numerous times a year. For example, Christmas is around the corner, so you can expect the festive sale from sites like Desertcart and Amazon.
Here are a few offers and benefits to look for when shopping online:
- Upfront discounts (automatically deducted)
- Cashback on credit or debit cards, along with how the cashback will be credited
- Difference in prices when purchasing from the website vs. mobile app
- Applicable coupon codes
4. Cart and Wallet Offers
Sometimes, banks, credit card companies, and wallets offer discounts and cashback on making purchases online using their platform. This can be in the form of an upfront discount, coupon code, or cashback. These offers are more common in the case of wallet apps.
Since the mobile wallet market is surging, more and more wallet apps are entering the market. To gain more customers, these wallet providers offer hefty discounts and coupon codes for new users. You can utilize these offers to get amazing online shopping savings deals when shopping online.
5. Free Shipping
Shipping and delivery charges can hurt your wallet. Though every site charges a shipping rate, most of them allow you to neutralize the charge. With some money saving apps for online shopping, you can avoid the delivery charge if you become a premium member. Some sites waive shipping charges if your total cart amount exceeds a certain number.
Check the pricing policy of the shopping site to determine how you can prevent the shipping charges. If you often shop from a particular website, signing up for a premium membership could be a great idea. In addition to avoiding delivery charges, you’ll also get extra benefits if you’ll be a premium member.
6. Add Products to the Cart and Leave
Another useful trick to get an online shopping discount is to add items to your cart and then leave them be. Uninstall the app or log out from the site, but don’t make a purchase for a few days. In the language of eCommerce, we call it an “abandoned cart,” something eCommerce players are really struggling with.
And no one has a permanent solution to this problem. Many eCommerce sites offer additional discounts to convert abandoned carts into sales. When you abandon a cart, the seller will send you a text message and an email offering a discount. However, keep in mind that not all merchants do this. But you can try this trick with newer, smaller shopping money saving apps.
7. High-Value Shopping Discounts
Almost all eCommerce websites offer discounts on high-value shopping. The prices may vary, but the higher your cart price goes, the better chances you have to get a better deal. Besides, many websites offer discount coupons applicable only after a certain cart amount threshold.
So, instead of purchasing a few items more frequently, prepare a long list of items, and get massive discounts on a higher cart value.
8. Sign-Up for New Sites
If you’re comfortable doing some experiments, try new shopping sites. A lot of eCommerce websites and apps offer discounts for new users. Therefore, keep an eye on new websites and register with them to get new user discounts.
These offers can be in different ways, as discussed before. They could be upfront discounts on the MRP, cashback, or coupon codes. Some sites also offer free delivery for new users up to a certain number of initial orders.
So, keep your eyes and ears open and keep looking for newly launched money saving apps for shopping.
Conclusion:
Saving money while online shopping for products like electronics, fashion, books and more is all about being smart and timely. Shopping sites launch sales numerous times a year. Keep a note of these dates, so you don’t miss out. Additionally, high-value shopping can help you get some exciting deals and discounts. Last, don’t forget to keep an eye on new mobile wallets and shopping money saving apps.
