Top 10 (+1) Tips To Save A Buck Online

The days of retail shopping in a big physical store are thinning. The world of commerce and retail are changing rapidly every day, and now that 92 percent of Americans do their shopping online, e-commerce is booming. More than 40 percent buy something on Amazon once a month or more, so the idea that they can save cash on these purchases is a big deal.

Especially with the holiday shopping season about to kick off, consumers are looking for the best ways to save money while buying gifts for the ones they love (and a little something nice for themselves). But, many online portals can create a stranglehold on the market, and manufacturers can only go so low before they lose their profit. Still, there are ways that the consumer can find themselves on the winning side of the constant give and take that is finding the right item for the right price.

Here are top 10 tips for consumers to help them save money while shopping online. By using these tools and tactics, consumers can ensure they are covering all the stops to make sure they can get the items for the price that fits their budget. The best part about these tips is that they work anywhere, and with any retailer or manufacturer. With patience and understanding, any consumer can find the right item for the right price. Read on to find out more and make your next big save today.

1. Cashback: Sign up for cashback sites and get money back on the items you purchase. Topcashback and Rakuten are favorites among shoppers.

2. Coupons: Search for coupons online. Retailers haven’t forgotten about them. Visit sites like Retailmenot and Coupons.com, for great deals.

3. Hidden discounts: Use the tools at your fingertips online, like hidden promotions to find a deal or remind you of discounts before your checkout.

4. Keep an eye out for deals: Frequent s hopping portals for deals. Airline and credit card portals sometimes have specials like miles and cashback available for their members that are not available to the general public.

5. Negotiate: Don’t be afraid to negotiate for the price you want online using browser extensions and other tools available online.

6. Use the marketer’s playbook against them: Visit sites and add items to your cart or wish list and then leave. Many retailers will send you discounts and incentives to come back and complete your purchase.

7. Newsletters and email lists: Sign up for merchants’ newsletters or email lists. Many top retailers offer discounts just for giving them your email.

8. Compare: Take the time to visit different marketplaces and comparison shop to get the best deal.

9. Price Tracking: Look out for deal alerts and use price tracking sites like SlickDeals and CamelCamelCamel.

10. Rebates: Sign up for rebate sites which track online price drops and notify you if you qualify for a rebate.

11. Bonus: Time your purchase. Wait to make your purchase and time it out for holiday or special deal days sales like Labor Day sales or Amazon Prime Day.

(Andrew Scarbrough, the co-founder & COO of PriceWaiter, is a veteran of the e-commerce world.)