Online Shopping Tips to Save Money

Online shopping is one of my favourite things if you can recall from this list about me here so I thought I would list all the tips I use to prevent me from breaking the bank.

Yes there’s a method to my madness. I’m not someone who aimlessly spends hundreds online. No – I take my time to browse on my favourite websites and seek out the best promotions and discounts.

Also I’m definitely frugal with my online shopping. I try to buy as many items I can without going over $100 including taxes lol. Anyway I’ll begin this list with the general basics that you should keep in mind as you buy online.

Learn the basics

Use sites that have models and runway videos

Online shopping can be difficult if you’re not good at visualizing the outfit on you. I know my measurements and I’m generally familiar with fabric types  so I have a good idea about the fit of an item just based on the picture. However, it’s always a plus for me when websites use models to display clothing AND it’s an extra plus when they feature a runway video.

Take for example ASOS where you have the option to watch a video of the model wearing the item. Now you can make a more informed decision on the item that doesn’t just rely on seeing a photo.

Take down your measurements

Most sites I visit are from the UK so a lot of the clothes are shown in UK sizes. Just a simple Google search can help you figure out the UK to US size conversion.  Another thing you can do is visit stores that sell clothes in UK sizes. One store I can think of is Top Shop. Doing this will help you figure out what size fits best.

If you have a tape measure at home use it to take down your bust, waist, and hip measurements so you know where you fall in size charts.  But keep in mind that although it will help you get a better idea of what size you are, it isn’t the most accurate. Even if you match the model’s measurements and height it doesn’t always mean the clothes will fit the same. Everyone’s body is different,  which includes weight and height distribution, so it may not be a perfect match.

Save your dollaz

Subscribe to newsletters, follow social media and become a member

More often than not, if you are a first time buyer on a retail site they will offer you some sort of discount. They may also want you to sign up to their newsletter. Do thisss because not only will you get an email for upcoming promotions and flash sales but you’ll be up to date on newly added stock.

A perk of becoming a member of their site means you can save your favourites while you browse and they will suggest similar styles you may like. It’s the same for customers who follow retailers on social media. You get exclusive deals that wouldn’t be available to the general public so follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook etc!

Skip home delivery and pick up in-store

If there’s an option for in-store pick up it’s best to choose that because you’ll get to skip out on delivery fees. Zara, Aldo, and I believe Forever 21 has that option.

Shop on incognito

It’s no secret that websites leave cookies to track what you’re eyeing on their site. They do this to retarget you in ads, emails, and suggested similar items on their website. Once they have your browsing activity a strategy they use is to increase the price of the items you were looking at. Best way to avoid this is to shop in your browser’s incognito to prevent any price increases.

Shop during holidays

I find that the best discounts happen during long weekends, on holidays and depending on the site, it can even be mid-afternoon on a weekday. When I visit ASOS and there are no discounts available, I will wait until the weekend when they are more likely to offer one. Even if it’s a 15% discount, I’ll take it. Nothing is worse than buying something full price then checking the site the next day to see they’re having 30% off -_-

Add items to your cart

Try adding items to your cart, but don’t purchase them! Some sites empty your cart after 60 minutes of inactivity, but for the sites that don’t, they will prompt you to complete the transaction. They do this by: emailing you, offering discounts, getting your attention back onto the site.

But keep in mind…

Exchange rates and international delivery fees

A con of online shopping is that many retailers operate outside of North America. If you are buying clothes, especially from overseas, you are subject to: currency exchange, duty fees and international delivery fees.

There’s not much I can say when it comes to foreign currency but try and buy from sites that offer items priced in your home country’s currency. Sites like ASOS are international but they offer a list of different currencies to shop in. This makes it easier for you and saves you on the extra fees you’d incur on your credit card for the exchange rate.

Another thing to be wary about is international shipping fees. Not only are international retailers more costly to ship to North America, but you’ll also get stuck with duty charges upon arrival to your home country.  The way taxes are tallied vary from country to country but the main criteria are:

• Product value
• Trade agreements
• Country of manufacture
• Use of the product
• The product’s Harmonized System (HS) code

I found a calculator on this site that can help estimate the cost of duty fees.

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I hope you keep in mind these tips and remember it the next time you partake in online shopping especially during this upcoming holiday season.

Happy shopping!

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What are some of your favourite online retailers? Do you make sure you hit the free delivery mark like I do? Comment below!

xox

Sources:

http://www.fedex.com/ca_english/services/international/customsforms/deterdutiestax.html