Okay, so lets say you want to buy something online. You go to the website where you found The Thing, put it in your cart and paid for it and now you are waiting patiently for it to arrive.
Yay! You just did it wrong.
First of all, it makes me angry to pay for shipping. This is not rational, but so many websites offer free shipping these days so it seems like throwing money away if I have to pay it. I also look for sites that offer free returns. Some sites, like Zappos, will upgrade to free overnight shipping (sign up to be a VIP!) and Amazon
is always tempting me with a free trial Amazon Prime month, which gets me free 2-day shipping. Yay free! You just saved yourself $8-$10 right there.The next thing you should be doing is signing up with a rebates site. If you aren't doing this, I will give you this look:
Because YOU SHOULD BE DOING THIS. They want to give you money! I use eBates, but there are all kinds of rebate sites out there. The main trick is to remember to use them. So, with my last order, I'll get $3.00 back in eBates money. Small beans but it adds up.
Now, if you are patient you should wait for a promo code to be emailed to you or if it's not a retailer where you've shopped before, go find one. (Look, I can't do everything for you, try RetailMeNot.) Also, some sites will give you 10-20% off if you sign up for the newsletter. This is why I get so much junk email, but eff it. I want that discount.
Finally, and I don't actually recommend this unless you are a very fiscally responsible person, a store credit card will also get you discounts and free shipping and whatnot. So, if you have a Banana Republic card you'll usually get free shipping and will also earn rewards, which can be stacked with promo codes. On my last order I used a $10 reward.
I am just going to stop right here for a second and tell you that I LIVE for stacking promo codes. It's the best, y'all. I get mad when retailers won't let me stack (AMAZON) because that is some bullshit. Do not tell me that an item I want to buy has two available promotions and not let me use both together.
Okay! So, I am going to break this down. Say you want to buy these jeans from Piperlime and you don't want to pay an absurd $178 for them. But hey, Piperlime just sent you a 20% off code! That helps. They also offer free shipping and returns, even better. And you have a $10 reward you haven't used. And HEY, eBates is offering 2% back! That is a lot of discount, you guys. Now, this is math, and the space where math is stored in my head is actually full of Duran Duran lyrics, so bear with me here while I try to break this down:
jeans retail price: $178.00
20% code: - $35.60
$10 reward: - $10.00
cash back: - $3.00
shipping: free
Total price: $130ish. So, not MIND BLOWING in it's cheapness, but a whole lot better, eh?
Now, what did I forget? And please, tell me about your best online shopping bargain!
My trick is to set up a separate "junk" email account (hotmail/yahoo/gmail)that I use to sign up for all newsletters/promos/etc. I just check it when I'm online shopping, and the junk emails don't invade my personal account.
ReplyDeleteThe Cardigan Diaries
Gap & BR new items go on sale in 4 to 6 week cycles, so you can wait. And every month they seem to do a 40% off everything in the store, so, you know, wait again. There is absolutely no need to buy anything from their full priced, ever, unless you need it RIGHT NOW.
ReplyDeletelong time reader, first time commenter here. this is a post after my own heart! like melissa mentioned, everything goes on sale which makes stacking coupons, promos, and reward dollars even better. and i am a sale stalker! this summer i got a pair of dolce vita sandals for $13. i could wax poetic on this topic but i'll stop here :)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post!
ReplyDeleteBest score so far was a pair of anthro lounge pants (as if I would ever have paid $80) for $4.95. No codes needed. I even agreed to pay the shipping on that one.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I tell everyone about Ebates and other rebate sites, and they always ask how I have time to find this out. Um, it doesn't take much time, and I'm happy to spend 5 minutes creating an account that will pay me, even if it's nickels and dimes.
ReplyDeleteBest stacking was when I furnished my house almost entirely from Overstock. Used ebates, also used the O Club membership (totally worth the small fee for free shipping and cash back), so I got cash back from ebates and Overstock. Fiscally responsible furniture shopping and it meant I spent the rebates on a fancy bag. Totally guilt free.
Great post! I tell everyone about Ebates and other rebate sites, and they always ask how I have time to find this out. Um, it doesn't take much time, and I'm happy to spend 5 minutes creating an account that will pay me, even if it's nickels and dimes.
ReplyDeleteBest stacking was when I furnished my house almost entirely from Overstock. Used ebates, also used the O Club membership (totally worth the small fee for free shipping and cash back), so I got cash back from ebates and Overstock. Fiscally responsible furniture shopping and it meant I spent the rebates on a fancy bag. Totally guilt free.