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1. Don’t Check Out Immediately
Are you the type of shopper who tends to buy the things they want right when they want it? You might be paying more for shipping and handling fees in the long run as you purchase your products one at a time! Unless you have time constraints, or you urgently need to purchase your products online, save up your cart for those sitewide sales instead.
By waiting for sitewide sales, you can bring down the price of the products in your cart, and save more on shipping costs when you bundle everything together. This trick works best when buying from the same seller or platform as they often offer bigger deals when you purchase multiple different products.
Plus, leaving an item in your cart may trigger discount vouchers for your items. Some platforms and sellers can slash down the price of the items in your cart as a way for them to get you to make that purchase. You might get an email or notification from the platform informing you of the discount. After all, good things come to those who wait!
2. Check for Hidden Vouchers and Discounts
Sure, you get a number or vouchers and discounts in your account as a loyal shopper, but those vouchers are standard promotions given to all users. For better deals and bigger savings, it’s worth checking for vouchers and discounts that you need to claim before using.
You can often find these vouchers by checking the platform’s website, or take a look at the seller’s online shop. You can also check under the vouchers tab on your chosen online store, and check for vouchers that you need to claim to use. Some hidden vouchers are offered in email and online, so you can sign up for the store’s newsletter to get more information.
3. Buy Wholesale for Bargain Prices
Some platforms will offer wholesale prices when you buy more. It’s a good opportunity to gather orders through friends and family to get that bulk discount per item, and save up on shipping costs as well. Some online shopping platforms offer only wholesale items priced almost at cost, so you can save a lot of money without that huge markup that retailers charge.
However, some wholesale stores will require you to buy in bulk as much as thousands of pieces per item. These are often offered to retailers, resellers, and businesses that can use thousands of units of the same item, but for regular consumers, it’s worth looking for a platform that offers the convenience of retail with the prices of wholesale.
Luckily, a new platform opened up in US markets with that exact business model! Temu is a shopping app that offers the affordability of wholesale pricing without the MOQ, so you can save up on your purchases without having to buy thousands of units of a single product. This way, you get the most out of your money!
4. Follow Influencers for Promo Codes
Besides hidden vouchers within the site, some platforms have promotional deals with influencers to gain more traction and exposure online. These influencers would most likely have discount codes available with their unique handle or signature, and you can get 5%, 10%, or even 20% off when you use their code!
5. Cross-check the Price with Competing Stores
A lot of platforms offer the exact same, or highly similar items, as other stores. The big difference is the markup. Most online retailers purchase their supplies from wholesalers and manufacturers, and these parties are not often tied down to a specific site.
It is always a good idea to cross-check your product with competing stores to scout for the best prices for your shopping needs. This way, you can see customer reviews, huge price differences, and sometimes get more information about the products you intend to purchase.
6. Read Reviews of Verified Customers
Getting those big savings isn’t the only way you can optimize your online shopping! When buying products online, you don’t get the luxury of inspecting the item before it’s shipped out or delivered to you. You can only rely on the product photos provided by the store, and descriptions included in the product listing, if any.
Reading the reviews of verified customers gives you a glimpse of the product you’re looking at. These reviews are often unbiased, and show whether the item is true to its photos and descriptions or not. Verified reviews are also great for getting feedback on the efficacy of products like skincare, vitamins, and other products that might have claims that show results in the long-run.
7. Sensitive Items? Go for Fragile or Express Shipping Options
For sensitive products, opt for fragile or express shipping to make sure your item gets delivered on time and in good condition. While most platforms take measures to ensure your parcel is handled properly, there can be a number of factors that can delay the delivery, or damage the goods. Opting for fragile or express shipping will ensure the safety of your products.
8. Download the App
Another good way to optimize your online shopping experience is by downloading the app of your chosen platform! Apps are not only convenient to use, but many are now optimized to make online shopping easier than ever! By downloading the app, you also gain access to exclusive, app-only deals and content, so it’s worth checking out the app when you’re shopping online.
