Monday, December 31, 2012

Online Shopping Strategies


You probably already know some of these things. If you really want to save money, shop for things online.  And if you want to save money online, compare prices with different retailers.  However, you might not know that there are different strategies for getting the best price from your online retailer.

Did you know that some online retailers will send you a digital coupon if you close your browser window with items in your cart?  The strategy is to try and get you to buy an item before you change your mind. They hope that the coupon will help nudge you in that direction.

Several online retailers will quote different prices to different
consumers based on spending habits, digital cookies in your browser, your logged in status, and other things. The quoted price differences can be significant. If you see a deal on line, send an instant message to a friend or family member and ask them to price the same item on the same website. The one who is quoted the lowest price should order the item. For big-ticket items, the savings can be significant.

Other strategies for buying online include using a shopping website to compare prices for products. This works especially  tell when you are buying something that has a clearly defined product number. You can compare prices for these items by Googling them or going to major online retailers like Amazon.

As always, if you want to live a frugal life, only buy things you really need.  Analyze those needs versus your wants and prioritize.  That's the best way to become free financially.

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