Shopping online has become more and more popular in America as we are all looking to save a little time and money.  E-commerce sales are growing at astronomical numbers ranging from 20-25% per year.  And according to Forrester Research, 40% of households are using coupons in their web shopping.  The huge increases are obvious:  the online savings and discounts are impossible to match by traditional stores constrained by the overhead costs of employees, rent, and insurance.  By using some of the tips and tricks mentioned below, you’ll be able to take further advantage of a new American pastime: saving with online shopping!

Tip #1:  Don’t buy Ebay.  We all know online auctions seem like such a great deal, and it’s easy to get caught up in the emotion of auction.  Thing is, auction sites like Ebay and Ubid have become saturated with buyers AND sellers, so virtually any discount found is quickly sought by re-distributors who then add their own markups to your purchase.  The online marketplace has enough people out there that you can end up spending hundreds of extra dollars for the same things found in your local mall!  Don’t let your emotions get involved – these are not the right places for the aware shopper.

Tip #2:  Never pay retail.  Take this scenario:  You find something you want to buy, maybe the latest craze or fad such as the Ipod.  Should you really pay the price that Apple is offering?  No!  You can find many deals and coupons for the same purchase just by typing, for example, “ipod coupons” into Google.  Spend a little time searching through the top ten to twenty results, you’re sure to find the same product for a significant discount.  Sometimes, by filling out a survey or signing up for an email list, you’ll get additional savings and many times you can even get your product for free!

Tip #3:  Get over your instant gratification desire.  Just admit it, buying something always gives you a good feeling and you can’t wait to take pleasure in that new purchase.  Anything you’re buying at the mall for that same good feeling can usually be found for a huge discount online.  You just have to be willing to wait for the short 2-5 days that it takes for shipping.  It’s definitely worth the savings to able to control your emotions and hold off until it arrives via UPS!

Tip #4:  Watch out for excessive shipping charges.  Many times retailers slash their costs to get the sale but then charge more for shipping.  Make sure to check the final cost to ensure you didn’t receive any unwarranted charges.  You should also find a free shipping deal at any of the online coupon sites.  Sometimes the shipping can cost more than your purchase!

Tip #5:  Online coupons :  Were you aware of online coupon websites that have discount and promotion codes to nearly all internet stores?  These types of websites always have up to date discount offers arranged by category or store, so you can always find something on sale.  It’s not only a way to get a good deal but you can also find some of the free shipping offers listed in tip #4.  Just be careful to check for a coupon code before making any internet purchase.  It’s a simple way to find extra savings.

Melanie Breeze

CouponChief.com provides free online coupons, deals, and discount offers to hundreds of internet stores.  They update their coupons daily and offer a free newsletter to savvy shoppers.