10 Pro Tips on Finding The Best Deals Online

Have you ever bought something online, only to stumble across a different website selling the exact same product for much cheaper? It can be extremely frustrating!

But what if we told you you won’t need to go through that ever again? In this Carrot blog, we’ll tell you how to find the best deals online whenever you shop.

So don’t worry if you don’t know how to find the best deals online. We have your back with this comprehensive blog. Now, let’s dive in, shall we?

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1. Add to Your Cart and Leave

This clever approach is a “two-stage” shopping strategy that allows you to save money when shopping online. Here’s how it goes: Load up your virtual cart with all the items you want from your preferred online store, just as you normally would.

But here’s the twist – once you’ve filled your cart, don’t rush to check out. Instead, close the browser tab and wait for a little while. By doing this, you signal to the store that you’re interested but need more time. Often, online retailers notice this and may send you tempting emails with special discounts or coupon codes to encourage you to complete your purchase.

Also Read: 11 Lululemon Sale Hacks That Will Save You Serious Money

If you want to take it a step further, consider using browser extensions like Carrot, which track prices and save your favorite products for future reference. This way, you can return to your shopping list later, and if the prices have dropped, you’ll be alerted. It’s a smart strategy to potentially find the best deals online and make the most of online shopping.

2. Figure Out the “Right Day” to Shop

When shopping online, consider checking for sales on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, as many stores offer discounts on these days. For even bigger savings, wait for annual events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Green Monday, and Amazon Prime Day.

While at it, make sure you don’t make unplanned purchases during these sales events and go out of your shopping budget. Instead, stick to your shopping list to maximize these opportunities.

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3. Shipping Savvy

Unfortunately, free shipping can be both a blessing and a pitfall. Why is that? Because it doesn’t guarantee the best deal. In fact – at times – the product cost is higher on sites offering free shipping. So make sure to always compare final checkout prices across different online stores before making a purchase.

Additionally, some stores provide year-round free shipping for minimum order amounts, while others offer occasional free shipping codes. So, if your bill surpasses the minimum for free shipping in the latter situation, you can use such codes to save on shipping costs.

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4. Make Sure to Ask For Price Adjustments

Did you know? Many retailers have a price-adjustment policy that refunds the difference if a product’s price drops shortly after your purchase. This policy often depends on when you made your purchase and varies between stores.

Some may offer a refund window of 10 days, while others extend it to 14 days. Either way, we suggest you inquire about this policy when you purchase from a specific store/site.

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5. Use Social Media to Your Advantage

In most stores, online sales occur without formal announcements. However, influencers and bloggers on platforms like Twitter and Instagram are often aware of these hidden discounted deals, which they further promote among their followers during or before the sale begins.

So, by following them, you can uncover exclusive offers. Additionally, the retailer’s social media posts about specific brands can lead you to unexpected savings. Just keep an eye out for trending hashtags and seek out the best deals online on the products you are waiting to purchase when an appropriate sale or deal is shared by social media influencers for the same product/store.

Also Read:10 Mind-Blowing Costco Secrets You Need to Know to Save Money

6. Buy Gift Cards at a Discount

When you have a specific store in mind where you plan to purchase, consider the smart strategy of investing in discounted gift cards. Several websites facilitate the sale of unwanted gift cards at a reduced rate, allowing you to effectively buy credit that you’ll later use for your shopping.

But wait! If the idea of buying gift cards online makes you a bit wary, you can always explore an alternative option: Costco. This retailer frequently offers discounted gift cards for various known brands/stores, including restaurants, retail stores, and spas. It’s a simple but effective way to save money on planned purchases.

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7. Consider In-Store Pickup for Online Purchases

Gladly, you can pick up the products you buy online in-store. So why not embrace the convenience of online shopping and enjoy same-day order pickup at the store?

Not only can this save you shipping costs, but it may also unlock potential discounts. Even though you have to go to the store briefly, you can save a lot of money by dodging in-store displays that make you want to buy things when planning a specific purchase.

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8. Maximize Savings with Rewards

Another way to make the most of online shopping is by tapping into reward programs. Whether it’s cash, points, or special benefits – credit cards, retailer loyalty schemes, and cash-back apps – all offer additional perks on top of regular discounts. However, we recommend you avoid purchasing items solely for the allure of rewards.

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9. Unlock Exclusive Deals via Email

While it’s understandable if your email inbox is already overflowing with marketing messages, subscribing to newsletters and promotional emails can lead to some of the best deals online. So, you can look for flash sales and special discounts offered exclusively to subscribers.

Additionally, some brands offer discounts when you sign up to receive text notifications, providing another avenue for potential savings.

Also Read: How Shopping Pros Save Money on Etsy in 2022

10. Use Carrot

If you’re on the hunt for budget-friendly style and the hottest deals in online shopping, Carrot is your ultimate companion. This innovative tool isn’t just a search engine; it’s your trusty sidekick in the quest for savings.

Thanks to Carrot’s cutting-edge AI-powered “deal hop” feature, uncovering discounts, deals, and dupes across your favorite online stores is as easy as a click – and the best part is, it won’t cost you a dime.

Source: Using the Carrot Extension to ‘deal hop’ a Birkenstock Arizona footwear

Getting started is a breeze. Simply add Carrot to your browser extension or download the app. Once you’re all set up, hit ‘Deal Hop’ while browsing your favorite online store to unearth the very best deals. You’ll discover your favorite items at a fraction of the cost.

But Carrot doesn’t stop there. Instead, this free tool offers a suite of organizational features, including:

• Shoppable collections
• Mood boards
• Wishlists
• Gif Registries

Plus, this tool helps you stay on top of prices, find valuable coupon codes, and receive alerts when prices drop so you can hit that ‘shop’ button when the time is just right.

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