Last year I did about 90% of my Christmas shopping online. It was so easy and stress less. Many stores offer better discounts (in my opinion) online. Plus there is a larger inventory to chose from when shopping online. Here are my reasons why I think it’s better to shop online.
Extra Discounts – I can find more coupon codes for online shopping. For example, you can use a coupon for $5 off $50 when shopping online at Target. Or recently I used a 30% off code when buying shoes at Payless Shoe Store. Sometimes there are printable coupons you can take to the store but more often there are codes you can only use online. Retail Me Not is an excellent source for coupon codes.
Cash Back – When you shop online through Ebates or Shop at Home, they give you an percentage back from your purchase. Many times they have bonus cash back amounts too. For example, I bought a Pack & Play from Target and used my $5 off $50 code. Plus they were having a bonus cash back of 10% back when you shopped through Ebates. I think I paid $70 for the Pack & Play but I earned $7 in my Ebates account. I bought $30 worth of printer ink the other day and got $10 back in my Ebates account. It was the best price for the ink and I got an additional huge cash back amount! Every extra little discount helps! (You can reall all about Ebates and Shop at Home here.) Your cash back gets put in an account and they send you your money every quarter.) Ebates and Shop at Home often have exclusive coupon codes you can only use when shopping through their site. The 30% off Payless Shoe coupon I used, I only saw it when I went through Shop at Home.
Easy to Sort – I love that when I need clothes for my daughter I can search for girls, size 2T and I can see everything they have available. At the store I would have to look at all the racks that could be filled with a lot of stuff she can’t use. I can even see the lowest priced stuff first.
Price Comparison – If I see something I really want and I think it’s a good deal, I can Froogle it to see if there is a better deal out there. Yes, most of us have smart phone but my phone never seems to work in Target or it takes forever to find the product.
Read the Reviews – Want to know if it’s a good product? Do a quick search of the product and you will find many reviews. I find most of my reviews at Amazon. That will save you a trip back to the store if the product is what you think it will be.
I can shop even when the store is closed – I have 3 little kids. It is a lot easier to shop online when they go to bed than drag them to the store with me. Not having to drag the family with me helps me to just get what I need and nothing else.
Shopping with my free gift cards – I have earned so many free gift cards with Swagbucks and Opinion Outpost. Opinion Outpost will earn you some money quicker than Swagbucks. Click here to read about Opinion Outpost. I love Opinion Outpost because you can instantly cash out for Amazon Gift Cards and soon the will offer payments through PayPal!
Don’t get me wrong – I also love going to the stores. I have found plenty of deals in-store and there are some pretty great coupons to use in-store. I just love the flexibility of shopping online and the extra discounts.
Another tip - many stores will offer free shipping. Look for coupon codes or ways to get free shipping. For example, Amazon offers free 2 day shipping when you join Amazon Moms or if you are a student. ShopRunner is another place that offers a free 30 day trial that offers 2 day shipping at many retailers. ( Get A Free 30-Day Trial to ShopRunner Now!)
Amazon Moms gives you 3 free months of free 2 day shipping. Plus for every $25 you spend on baby stuff you get an additional month.
Amazon Student - gives you 6 months free of free 2day shipping. You just need a valid .edu email account.
Get A Free 30-Day Trial to ShopRunner Now!