Tips For Online Shopping

Shopping on the Internet is the way of the future. Most stores have a website now making it easy for us to make our purchases from the comfort of our home. Some stores have stopped sending out catalogs altogether and only sell via the Internet.

There are a few things I’ve learned over the years I’d like to share with you.

Don’t Give Your Real Phone Number:

It isn’t necessary for them to have your number and as far as I can tell most of them only want it to use for selling purposes. Either they will call and bug you or sell your number to others that will. They have our email address to contact us about any problems so why else do they need our telephone number? Some have gotten tricky and make that box a required field. Just fill in the line with “2’s”. For example: 222-222-2222. I’ve only had a couple times that, that didn’t work so I change it to “3’s” and it worked.

Check For Coupons:

Before ordering, put in a search for the company name and the word coupon. You’ll get sites like this one:

http://www.retailmenot.com/

There are several out there that come and go so that is why it’s best to put in the company name and the word coupon as a search because your store might be listed with one website and not the others. You’ll get anything from ten percent off to free shipping. Postage can add up so if you can get that knocked off the cost it helps.

Put In A Search For Your Product:

After finding a pair of shoes or handbag you really love and want to buy you may be able to get that same item cheaper with another company. Put in a search for the name, model number or style name and even size. You’ll get a few listed and you can choose the best price. Don’t forget to use your coupon search because that will make a difference too. If one is five dollars cheaper but Zappo’s is giving free shipping which adds up to ten dollars you have to take all these things into consideration.

Pay Later:

Beware of this option. You can get yourself in a lot of trouble if you aren’t careful. I don’t recommend it and if you read the fine print you are usually charged interest on all those delayed months paying a whole lot more for the item in the long run.

Leave a Review:

Companies are doing this now and it’s very helpful to us all. If a dress runs big or small it helps the next customer order a size that fits. It also helps the store because they have less returns when people get the right fit.

I think this also forces manufacturers to make a better product because if people are consistently unhappy with their merchandise the company will have to make improvements or lose business.

Sales Tax:

Due to many online companies not charging sales tax some states have made it mandatory for them to. As of this writing, Amazon has stopped hosting small businesses from those states because they didn’t want to have to deal with the extra accounting hassle. This is unfortunate for those sellers that depend on Amazon for revenue. I believe that states will eventually have to charge a flat tax based on income to residents. Some states do this already.

A Few Of My Favorite Shopping Sources:

Zappos-

This company mostly sold shoes in the beginning but has branched out to selling handbags, clothing as well as other items. They have free shipping “both ways” so if you buy a product and it doesn’t fit or you aren’t happy with it, you can send it back on their dime. You can’t beat that. Most of the time I get my purchase the next day so you don't have long to wait. There are a couple other companies that do that now trying to keep up with Zappos.

They have a huge selection and even carry widths for those of us with narrow or wide feet. There’s a review thread, which can be very helpful.

FootSmart:

Hard to fit or sensitive feet with special needs will be happy after trying this shoe source. They not only sell shoes, but also lots of socks and other foot therapy products.

Amazon:

Most of you know about this store. They started out a book dealer but branched out to sell other things and also help the small retailer by being a middleman. You can sometimes get free shipping if you spend over $25. This only applies to certain items so read the fine print.

Sierra Trading Post:

This is like a close out store on the Internet and has all kinds of great deals. Just like any other outlet store you are limited to what they have on hand so if you are looking for something specific you might not always find it but they have a lot of great bargains.

Etsy:

I love artsy hand made things and this website is a middle man for people who make all sorts of items from jewelry to clothing to home decor.

What is your favorite online shopping source?