The ability to shop online has revolutionized our consumption habits. Not only do we have access to a much wider selection than before, but we also have the opportunity to find better prices, shop from places that share our outlook on life and ethical principles, and find new products more easily. It can all almost feel a little overwhelming. The pressure to make constant price comparisons and find new things to buy is a sign that the development is not only positive. But with a little common sense, you can go a long way and save both time and money. Hopefully, the following tips can help you a little on your way.
Shopping During Holidays
When it comes to online shopping, timing is key. If you want to find the best prices possible, the best thing to do is wait. If you don’t buy anything, you get a 100 percent discount! Jokes aside, special events and holidays are the best times to shop online.
During Black Friday, Christmas, New Year, Midsummer, etc., many online stores offer significant discounts. At the end of each quarter, there are also clearance sales common because companies want to make room for new stock. For example, if you want to buy an air cooler, it is advantageous to do it after summer – or 9 months in advance – whichever way you want to look at it.
Avoid Dynamic Pricing
Dynamic pricing is a technique used to change the price depending on who is shopping. It allows retailers to customize the price according to a complex calculation depending on location, time, market conditions, and individual buying habits. If you have not taken the right measures, these retailers can see and analyze your search history and thus build a profile.
By analyzing this profile, you can figure out how much you are willing to pay, what you are interested in, and how much you plan to buy. This is especially common in the travel industry. The most common example is how airline tickets tend to increase in price the more you search! To avoid this, you can use a VPN, among other things. But how does a VPN work? For example, a VPN can change your IP address and make your internet connection more secure while you browse online for better deals.
Compare Prices
One of the more obvious ways to get better prices is to simply compare different online sites. It can take a little time, but it’s usually worth it. Due to the diversity of the internet, different websites can offer vastly different prices for the same product. You always have to keep in mind that some deals are too good to be true, but you can often save big by doing a little research. There are even browser extensions that can do this for you automatically. All you have to do is enter the name of the product and you’ll get a list where you can compare instantly.
Use Coupons and Discount Coupons
Although there is currently a lack of necessary regulation you can use promotions and coupons to your advantage and thus save money. Before you press the buy button, you should always double-check so that you don’t miss any special offers or coupons connected to your products. But how do you find these offers? It’s not always easy and you have to spend some time. You can check special websites that list coupons, newsletters, and social media. Social media is the best way to find promotions.
Leave the Shopping Cart Full
It may sound a bit strange, but it is actually a legitimate strategy to fill the shopping cart and then leave it alone. Online retailers often keep statistics on how many people have filled their shopping cart without completing the purchase. They can send reminders and in some cases even offer discounts. However, there is no guarantee that this will work. The results vary from store to store.
