More often than not, the internet is the go-to place for successful shopping. Not only is online shopping very convenient with unparalleled variety and choice, there are usually some great savings to be made too. Coupons are one of the most effective ways to save money, but even without a promo code, there are plenty of clever tricks you can use to get the best deals online. Here are some smart computer hacks to help you get the most out of online shopping.
1. Pose as a New Customer
One of the most popular marketing tactics of online retailers is to offer some sort of incentive to new customers, be it a percentage discount or free shipping on their first order. Clearing the cookies in your browser every time you embark on an online shopping spree is a simple way of appearing as a new customer, and it may also help to use a separate browser exclusively for internet shopping.
Instructions for clearing cookies depend on the browser you use, but can easily be found online. What’s more, if your favorite site has an offer for new customers, simply create a new user account that is linked to a different email address.
2. Abandon your Cart
E-commerce sites are always on the lookout for ways to secure a sale, and will, therefore, do all they can to overcome the problem of an abandoned online shopping cart.
Adding items to your basket but not going through to checkout will flag up that you were close to making a purchase, and more often than not, retailers will try to seal the deal by sending you a reminder – along with a discount code. In this case, it is useful to register your email address with your favorite online stores.
3. Use Social Media
Social media is another useful tool for being the first to know about any online deals or sales. Bloggers have a keen eye for what’s going on in certain circles, such as fashion or technology, and are a great source of inside knowledge.
Following relevant blogs and watching out for the hashtags of your favorite brands and online stores can actively alert you to more deals than you might find just browsing the internet.
4. Install Browser Apps
In addition to social media, browser extensions are a sure-fire way to ensure that no online deal slips through your fingers. Certain add-ons, such as Billeo, highlight deals and offers in your search results, whilst PriceBlink and Invisible Hand both notify you should they find a lower price on any item that you’re shopping for.
The best thing about browser add-ons is that they don’t require you to look around for good deals, rather, they bring them to you.
5. eBay Hacks
Finally, as one of the most popular online marketplaces for securing a good deal, internet shoppers should also have a few eBay tricks up their sleeve. Many items for sale on eBay go unnoticed simply due to spelling errors made by the seller; they do not show up in the relevant search results, and thus do not receive any – or as many – bids.
Fatfingers is a handy tool that allows you to search eBay listings with spelling mistakes, potentially taking you straight to a good deal that hundreds of people have missed. Finding local deals is another potential money-saver, as sellers may reduce the price for items that need to be picked up.
Finally, it’s important to remember that eBay is not the only place to find a good deal – it always pays to look around, especially when it comes to more expensive, high-end items. Specialist marketplaces, such as chrono24 for luxury watches or Zibbet for handcrafted and vintage goods, often provide scope for competitive prices and quality.
