Stumbling upon some incredible online deals is always a great thing, but learning how and when to shop, as well as what to look out for, are crucial things when it comes to mastering the online shopping experience; but there are a few tips to keep in mind to make sure you get as good a deal as possible!
Make a List
The first thing you can do to make sure you get as much bang for your buck, is to keep a list of things you want and need. This helps you keep an eye on what’s available and also helps you prevent buying unnecessary things. Next time you see an ice-bucket Stormtrooper helmet and consider buying it, look at your list and see whether there’s something more essential you could get instead of a gimmicky thing that you may never use.
Timing is everything
Because of sale periods becoming more frequent and pronounced across all South Africa’s online retailers, it’s possible to save a lot just by buying at the right time. Most online stores have routine sales to tie-into notable events. Different times during the month or week, specific items, certain departments or sections of a site’s stock often get blanket discounts to promote sales during a social event or holiday. If something isn’t urgent, hold out until one of these sale periods pops up.
Get around dynamic pricing
Dynamic pricing, also known as ‘price discrimination’, is specifically prevalent for online shopping. What it boils down to is that, by using your online ‘profile’, vendors can tailor the price shown to what they think you’re likely to pay. You can get around this by using a VPN, so that you won’t be given an inflated price based on your online activity. This is used frequently for items or services that have variable pricing in any case, like airplane tickets or accommodation, so give it a shot next time you’re booking tickets or a room.
Make use of promo codes
Many sites try and encourage purchases by giving a bonus or discount with your first purchase. If the promotional code is something like receiving 20% off your first purchase, then try and coordinate your purchase so that it’s something bigger (and hopefully something you use frequently) so that you get the best value. If you’ve needed a solid winter coat for a while and you know it’s going to be pricy, look out for sites that offer a discounts for your first purchase.
Shop around before you check out
The online retailing space is rather competitive, which is a good thing for consumers. It means that the retailers are encouraged to offer good prices so that it entices customers to their site, so if you find something you’re going to buy on one site, make sure to look for it in a few other places. Sites like Pricecheck.co.za do all the leg work for you, so don’t rush into a purchase until you’ve made sure you can’t pick it up for cheaper somewhere else!
