5 Ways to Make Sure You're Getting the Best Deal Every Time

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When you’re trying to find the best possible deal on a specific item, it goes without saying that you’ll have to do some shopping around. Some people enjoy searching for bargains and staying aware of the latest and greatest deals, while others find it to be a burden and a hassle. In fact, the majority of purchases made online are transactions in which the buyer paid more than the lowest possible price. Indeed, many consumers are willing to spend a bit extra in exchange for the convenience of getting the sale over with quickly and easily. However, if you don’t mind taking a few minutes to research your purchasing decisions, then you could save a significant amount of money in the long-term, especially if you heed the following five tips:

1. 1. Check Review Sites

Comparing price is a straightforward and simple process, but there are other factors that determine whether you’re getting a good deal, such as the quality of the item. When there are multiple competing brands to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which one to go with based on price alone, which is why reading customer reviews is such an important step in the initial product comparison. The best way to read a large number of reviews quickly is to use a review site that specializes in that niche. For example, if you were in the market for a portable Jacuzzi you might spend some time reading inflatable hot tub reviews on Portable Tubs HQ. In fact, since finding the best prices typically involves little more than comparing a few numbers, reading reviews is a step you should be devoting most of your effort to, especially if it’s a relatively expensive item.

1. 2. Use a Shopping Comparison Tool

Fortunately, you don’t necessarily have to visit dozens of different websites individually in order to find and compare all of their prices, as you can use a shopping comparison or aggregation tool like Google Shopping. Such platforms list the prices and site links of competing products based on the keyword you’re searching for. Using Google Shopping is as easy as clicking on the Shopping search option after entering in the name of the product. If you’re looking for the fastest and easiest way to compare prices from multiple providers, a shopping aggregator would definitely be the best way to go. Savvy shoppers use Google Shopping as their go-to tool for determining the fair market value of an item.

1. 3. Take Advantage of Discount Codes and Sales

Many times, people overlook the option to enter a discount code, even though it could save them a huge percentage on the cost of their order. Finding such codes is usually as simple as searching on sites like Groupon and RetailMeNot. These sites not only list coupon codes they’re also great directories for finding your favorite brand’s current offers, promotions, and sales. Furthermore, all you have to do to use these discounts is copy and paste a simple line of text during checkout. Be sure to look carefully for the option to enter a discount code, as sometimes it can be difficult to find or may come during the last step. Another way to get exclusive codes is to join your favorite brands’ websites and sign up for their email newsletters. That way you’ll receive direct notifications in your inbox when a sale is coming up or a new discount is available.

1. 4. Pay Attention to the Cost of Shipping

Many buyers are swindled into paying a high price when they think they’re getting a good deal because sellers will sometimes charge an exuberant amount for shipping. These unscrupulous sellers are relying on the fact that a certain percentage of people who shop online will forget to check the shipping costs and/or won’t want to bother with finding an alternative just to save on shipping. You can be part of the smart crowd by simply paying attention to the cost of shipping and looking for sites that offer free or discounted shipping. It’s also important to review your selected shipping option during checkout to make sure you don’t accidentally choose a more expensive method. Also, don’t be fooled into paying much more for 2-day shipping if you can afford to wait, as basic ground shipping will often get the item to your door in 3-4 days anyways. Expedited shipping options should only be considered when they’re absolutely necessary, as they can add up to quite an expense that could be easily avoided.

1. 5. Consider Refurbished and Gently Used Alternatives

If price is your biggest concern you might want to consider opting for refurbished, remanufactured, or otherwise gently used items instead of their brand new counterparts. Taking this route will usually save you 50% or more on the purchase price and typically the product itself is still fully functional and may only contain a few blemishes that aren’t easy to notice. Even if you originally wanted the item to be new, you might be surprised at the condition of the refurbished version, and many companies who sell refurbished goods also offer a guarantee or exchange policy that will give you the assurance that the item is at least going to work properly and look decent.

1. Spend Some Time to Save Some Money

Ultimately, it boils down to whether you’d rather save a little time than a lot of money. Although time is technically money, it really doesn’t take that long to make sure you’re not giving yourself the short end of the stick when it comes to shopping online. Heeding the tips above and honing your online shopping skills is something you can do in your spare time with very little effort, and if you’re already going through the hassle of pulling your card out to make an online order, you might as well take a few additional measures to ensure you’re not ripping yourself off just to save a couple of minutes.