By John
Comparison shopping online is the norm these days. Getting the best deal for your money has never been more important than right now with rising inflation and budgets being squeezed. Shoppers have always compared prices and quality before they buy, both within the same store and at different stores. It has traditionally taken quite a lot of time, effort and legwork. Most of the legwork can now be cut out by going online, although it still takes some time and effort. Still, if you are keen to save money it’s worth it, isn’t it? And, as ever, the more effort you put into it, the more likely you are to be rewarded with the best deals and save more money by comparison shopping online.
Click here to compare the best offers and save hundreds of dollars. Free comparison tools.
Let a search engine do the donkey work
Whether you are looking to buy furniture, electronics or simply groceries, there are innumerable web sites to help you find what you are looking for. Enter the product you are looking for and the site will show you the stores where it is available, its price at each store, information about the product, and specifications. Some sites also publish reviews by customers who have purchased the product. Some will also give links to the stores so that you can check the store policies, payment methods and delivery or shipping costs, before making a purchase online.
These sites of course are free to use. For a small annual fee you can join a shopping club which further refines the process of online comparison shopping by going into greater detail and publishing more useful reviews.
Caveat Emptor
The effectiveness of online comparison shopping has inevitably increased the competition between stores, which may have adjusted their pricing matrix to maintain their profit margin. You should read the small print carefully: the product may be cheaper at one store than another, but a higher shipping cost may cancel out the advantage. Stores will have different policies about returning goods once sold, and different minimum purchase order requirements that may or may not work for you.
If you are comparison shopping for groceries you need to identify the real bargains by comparing unit costs and not just package costs. You don’t want to end up paying for more packaging but less contents. Similarly, two small packets of a particular product may turn out to be cheaper and with more contents than the “economy size” packet being promoted. You should keep an eye open for special offers that may vary during the day, and also printable coupons, both of which will save you money.
If you intend to intend to make a purchase online, it is advisable to go with a store you have dealt with before or one with a solid reputation. Never submit your credit card details to an insecure web address. Generally speaking it is better to use a credit card than a debit card for online shopping as there is more protection should your card be compromised by fraud. Always keep a printed record of your purchase order in case of problems down the line.
Without your having to do the legwork anymore, online comparison shopping will help you to purchase the products you want, of the quality you want, and at the best price and save money by not paying more for your shopping than you need to. Adopt comparison shopping and see how it works to your benefit.
Click here to compare the best offers and save hundreds of dollars. Free comparison tools.
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