If you remember when the online retail boom hit then you also remember that online prices used to be the be-all and end-all of sales. If you saw it online, you didn’t bother looking elsewhere, you simply bought it assuming that it was the best price.
However, as the internet gave birth to the ecommerce world which we now know, much has changed when it comes to consumer purchase behaviour. Namely, the first online price that we see is no longer considered to be the best price.
If you are still finding your way when it comes to online shopping and want to save money, here are some great tips which can help!
1. My Email Address Is…
This should be your answer each time that a sales assistant asks you if you want to join their mailing list or you see the option when you complete the online checkout process. While your knee-jerk reaction is likely to be a No, given that you don’t want to receive SPAM, online mailing lists are not what they used to be, with retailers aware that junk mail means no returning customers. Instead, retailers now fill their mailing list catalogues with heavy discounts on a range of items, exclusively for mailing list members. While you may have to wade through a few emails which don’t apply to you, there is almost always a diamond in the rough.
2. Coupons and Vouchers
Remember when you used to scrounge through newspapers and magazines to find coupons and vouchers. While coupons are still around, the days of trying to find one which suits your needs is over. Stores like the Groupon Coupons page for Ugg give shoppers like yourself access to a range of discounts and vouchers, from money off products to free or discounted shipping.
3. Message Boards and Forums
If you are a serious fashionista or you simply must have the latest product as it launches, but you can’t afford the high prices, look through shopping based forums and message boards. Often, designers and manufacturers will test out new products and designs by showing them to a small online community, offering them a chance to purchase the products for a cheaper price. This is a community which you could be a part of!
4. Social Media
On the subject of message boards and forums, don’t discount the popular option of social media. While it can be tempting to think that a company won’t release any worthwhile sales or deals officially due to the sheer number of people who like their page, many of these fashion houses know that users often like-and-hide their page. This means that their actual reach isn’t as long, giving them more access to offer deals which won’t break their marketing budgets.
There is no denying that online shopping is cheaper than visiting a traditional physical store, however, don’t settle for the first site or page that you click on. Delve a little deeper into the world of online shopping and fashion and see what gems you can find!
