Jonah JacobsWe’ll show you different ways to avoid those added costs that can drive up the price of the products you wish to purchase.
Have you ever gotten excited when shopping online, thinking you got a great deal, only to see its final price surge at checkout? If so, a big reason for that price surge was probably shipping.
Yes, online shopping is convenient, as it lets you find the specific products you want from the comfort of your couch. But one of its downsides is the fact that unless you pick up your purchase at curbside or in the store, you’ll need it shipped. And in many cases, you’ll incur a shipping charge that can take more money out of your pocket.
Does this mean you should shun online shopping and only shop at brick-and-mortar stores? Not at all, as we’re about to show you ways around those shipping costs.
Only Buy From Stores That Offer Free Shipping
The online marketplace is highly competitive, so stores do everything they can to attract customers. One move many stores make is to offer free shipping as an incentive for shoppers, and you can find ones that ship at no cost by visiting FreeShipping.org.
Ship to Your Local Store
If you buy something from a big chain’s website, such as Walmart or Best Buy, you can usually have it shipped to your closest store at no cost. You will have to spend the gas and time out of your schedule to pick it up, however, which doesn’t make it 100 percent “free.”
Purchase a Certain Amount
Many stores will offer free shipping over a certain purchase amount. You’ll usually see this amount pinned to the top of the home page or as a pop-up when you visit the store.
For example, you may see “Free shipping over $50,” which means you’ll need to find $50 worth of items if you don’t want to pay for delivery.
Find a Free Shipping Coupon Code
This tip can help you save not only on shipping, but overall purchases as well. You have three primary options when it comes to finding coupon codes online:
- Type the site’s name and “coupon code” or “promo code” into a search engine.
- Use a browser extension like Honey that looks for coupon codes as you shop.
- Visit a coupon website like CouponCabin or RetailMeNot to search for the promo codes.
If you find a free shipping coupon code, simply enter it when checking out, and you’ll see those charges drop.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
If an online store doesn’t offer free shipping and you can’t find a coupon code, give them a call.
Say you’re a frequent customer, are placing a large order, or simply can’t afford to ship. You’d be surprised how many times they’ll accept your request so that they can earn your business.
Sign up for Email Lists
Your favorite online stores probably have email lists they use to announce promotions and share coupons. Sign up for as many stores as possible, and they’ll notify you when free shipping days are about to happen.
Get a Free Shipping Plan
Some sites offer free shipping for frequent customers. By paying a membership fee, you can get free shipping on your purchases to offset that cost. Some examples include Amazon Prime and ShopRunner.
