Bargain hunting can go to a new level online. But you have to beat the online retailers at their own game …
(This is a guest post from Kostas at Finance Blog Zone.)
Consumers are getting wiser and more meticulous in choosing the best deals they can get their hands on when purchasing the things that they need. Despite the wide array of items put on sale by brick-and-mortar stores, hunting for the best value online has become part of any bargain hunter’s objectives.
The rise in popularity of e-commerce has led more businesses to go on leaps and bounds to satisfy their target customers. After all, a lot of people have turned to online stores in shopping for the greatest finds simply because of convenience in ordering and shipping.
In the case of downloadable materials, buying digital items such as e-books and music files allow consumers to instantly enjoy their purchases. Instead of having to pile up a stack of CDs and books, they can just search online for their favorite titles, and instantly download the files into their devices.
Unfortunately, along with this convenience in shopping is the risk of developing unhealthy spending habits. Because practically everything is within their reach through the Internet, many online shoppers find themselves buying an extravagant product that actually costs less than what they paid online. In other words, we all need to watch out on our online spending.
A lot of experts have shared their secrets to success by writing their own books. Some of them have successfully captured the attention of people looking for the best books about money. However, without the proper mindset in terms of online purchases, even the best advice on financial literacy cannot save you.
Getting the Best Deals in a Discounted Virtual World
What’s great is that you can have your cake and eat it too! If you’re planning to buy something online, why not use sound strategies to get the best deals? Here are some online hacks to grabbing the biggest discounts and best prices on your favorite songs and e-books:
1. Do a lot of research
You may have the exact idea of what you want to purchase. But instead of purchasing it right away, try to look at other sites that offer the same brand. Some sites may be selling the item at a much lower price.
Remember, haste makes waste. It’s definitely wise to do a little research.
2. Bookmark or set notifications for favorite brands
Some of the things that you want to purchase may not be needed immediately. This means you can bookmark your favorite brand. Online stores are likely to feature special coupons that you can use when purchasing on a later date.
You may also set up a notification through mobile or email, so that the e-commerce store can alert you on upcoming promotions.
3. Note the schedule of new music releases
Instead of downloading music every day or at random, why not set a certain day of the week to check the latest releases? Most record labels release new music on Tuesdays, so make it a habit to buy only on that day.
4. Read snippets of the book before buying
Most e-book sellers provide a sample or snippet of the book, probably a few pages or the entire first chapter. Make use of this free resource to check whether you really like the book. This way, you will eliminate the possibility of buying a book that you would not find interesting in the long run.
5. Consider buying pre-loved books or albums
Purchasing online doesn’t necessarily mean that the items should be new. Check for pre-loved products that are being sold in good condition.
Ask the sellers if they can send photos in different angles of the item you wish to purchase so that you are aware of all the flaws.
6. Hide your IP address when buying online
Some businesses may set their prices depending on your location. This is why some products – books and even music files included – that are more expensive in one city compared to another. When you are located in an affluent zip code, it is likely that the cost online can be more expensive.
What you can do is to use a VPN to hide your IP address. Alternately, if you are away from home, you may check the prices listed online and compare how much the difference is. From this information, you may purchase what you want from a location where you can buy it cheaper.
7. Check shipping options
Being a bargain hunter, you want to spend less on every single purchase, and this includes shipping cost. If you’re buying physical books or vinyl records, check if the site charges for shipping or if they are going to ship items for free.
While free shipping does not guarantee that a site is legitimate to deal with, it may be wise to know the credibility of the site based on previous purchaser’s feedback.
8. Remove traces of shopping history
There are two ways to do this. First is to shop in incognito mode. Online stores can track down your shopping activities, which include your location and buying patterns.
Another option is to clear your browser cache and cookies. There are pieces of information left on your browser cache every time you go online. Prices on certain sites may spike up when online stores see that you shop online often.
9. Be careful not to go overboard
Let’s get real: Shopping online can be addictive. This addiction to shopping is a real threat that psychologists are recognizing on a deeper level. Let’s hope that you’re not in that kind of thinking when it comes to online shopping.
To keep you away from unwise spending, here’s what you can do: Instead of checking out the items in the online cart, leave it in your virtual cart for a few days. This could trigger an internal process called shopping cart abandonment and retention strategy, wherein the online store will likely send you a discount voucher or promo code so you can finally make the purchase.
Bargain hunting online can save you a lot of money in buying the things that you like. However, to make your online shopping worthwhile, always check the reviews given by previous customers. This way, you can stay away from sites or online shops that could potentially take advantage of you.
