"Hot deals" forums

Fatwallet

Slickdeals


Shopping Bots

Pricegrabber
 

Coupon sites

Couponmountain

Alexscoupons

Keycode

Internet Rebates

Ebates

Fatwallet


Consumer reviews

epinions

Shopping Tips

1. For shopping on the internet:
   
   a. Use comparison shopping “bots” on the internet like Pricegrabber,
       mpire.com or Shopzilla. Comparing prices is easy with model numbers 
       (e.g. a TV), but difficult without a model number (e.g. a mattress set where
       every store has a different name for the same mattress). 
   
   b. Look for deals in forums like Fatwallet and Slickdeals.
      Also dodtracker.com, edealinfo.com

   c. Find Internet Coupons at Couponmountain or use Google and type in the
      product, merchant name and words like discount, rebate, promotion,
      coupon.
      Sign up for customer rewards at shopping websites like CVS, Betty Crocker,
      Del Monte, Procter and Gamble, Staples, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowes,
      Gap, Bed Bath and Beyond, Ace Hardware, etc.
   
   d. Choose stores with many/good reviews, don't click on the first listing. 
      Some Merchant ranking sites: bizrate.com, dealtime.com  
   
   e. Check reviews of product at epinions and amazon.com

   f. Take advantage of internet rebates at Ebates, Fatwallet and live.com. 
   
   g. Some tips, apply wherever possible: 
       Use the shipping calculator
       Choose shipping to store option 
       Save on shipping by satisfying minimum purchase requirements
       Save on return shipping for stuff you don’t want by returning it to the brick
          and mortar stores (e.g. Gap.com). 
       Buy at brick and mortar stores if shipping on the internet sounds
          unreasonable.
      After you buy, watch the item for a drop in price. For example, if you ordered
        at a higher price at Amazon within the past 30 days, call/email Customer
        Service and they will credit the difference to your account.
   

2. Check return policy (time period, restocking fee) before making the purchase. For internet purchases with no local store presence, take into account cost of mailing item back. Also, in some instances, Free shipping amount may be deducted when items are returned for credit. 
   
   
3. Use coupons effectively. An item costing $100 can be purchased at another store for $20 less with a 20% off coupon.  Use a 50 cent grocery coupon to double into a $1 saving, use two coupons for buy1 get 1 free items- check some stores which do not double the coupon for the second identical item. 
   
   
4. Save receipts/packaging for at least 1 month.  Many stores may give you a lower price than you paid (clearance price) for items returned without a receipt. Others may not take things back without a receipt. Save gift card receipts in case they get lost, use them within a year or so to avoid monthly fees. Sell unused gift cards or ebay or trade them at cardavenue.com.
   
   
5. Adjust prices for items that come on sale within say 30 days. If store has no such policy, buy item again at a lower price and return the old one.  Return unused or defective merchandise.  
   
   
6. Use credit cards for rebates or extended warranty and extra protection in case of fraud.
   
7. Get recommendations from full service and through internet (e.g. cnet.com), buy at discount. 
   
   
8. Buy stuff in bulk (especially non-perishables) on sale at your grocery store or at a warehouse club.
   
   
9. Use overseas currency rates to your advantage  (e.g. vacations in Europe when the euro is weak).
   
   
10. Time your purchase (e.g. cars go on sale in early fall). See the CNN Money article.
    
    
11. Line up multiple offers (e.g. Thanksgiving sale with free delivery on appliances+ Manufacturer’s mail in rebate+10% all purchases with store card+1 year no interest/payments financing).  
    
    
12. Use store credit cards to take advantage of special offers (15% off first purchase) and coupons (10% off) sent periodically.
    
    
13. Take advantage of clearances in all merchandise especially on clothes.
    
    
14. Buy from deep discount stores that sell unsold merchandise from other stores (e.g. BigLots).
    
    
15. Do Christmas shopping all year around. To save more, only give gifts to kids or exchange gifts with a few adults. Recycle gifts if you cannot return them to the store. Sell unwanted stuff on ebay or craigslist.
    
    
16. Check quality/reliability of what you are buying (Consumer Reports etc.).
    
    
17. When using manufacturer’s rebate, ensure that the retailer you buy from participates. Send in all UPC’s and sales receipt. Also make a copy of all paperwork in the event it gets lost in the mail. Note the phone number and web address of the rebate processor. Examples are rebatetrack.com and rebatesHQ.com
    
    
18. Off –season shopping skis (spring, summer), bicycles (fall), Bedding and Christmas stuff (January), Closet/Storage (September, March), clothes (Spring/Fall).
    
    
19. If an item on sale is not in stock, remember to pick up a  raincheck especially if there is substantial difference between the regular and the sale price.
    
    
20. Negotiate prices if possible, avoid paying the list price.