Online Shopping Sites

By Curtis West

When you are looking to purchase large ticket items like big-screen TVs, find a sentimental piece of jewelry to mark a special occasion or if you just want to save money on everyday household items, the Internet is your best source for finding the most competitive retail price available. Investing a little time in research can save you significant money. When navigating the online world of discounts, follow these tips to become a smart, savvy shopper.

Direct from the Source
Nearly every brick-and-mortar and online store offers online promotions and discounts. If you make regular purchases at a store or if you are obsessed with a certain designer, you should subscribe to their direct e-mail newsletters. You will be among the first to be notified of special sales and new products. You will also likely receive special members-only privileges.

Join the Network
Retailers are also using Facebook and Twitter to offer flash sales, secret codes and private discounts exclusively to fans who follow them. Many stores are developing apps that can be sent straight to your phone.

Just Google It
Every time you make a purchase online, before you hit the pay button, you should Google the merchant’’s name and the words “promo code.” Click on the various community coupon code sites until you find a current promotion code that meets your needs. Be sure to leave feedback if the discount works on your purchase.

Most storefronts, particularly those that sell electronics, will match discounts and prices provided by other competitors, even if they are online-only stores. Be sure to bring a printed copy of the sale, with the current date included, when you go to the store.

Comparison Shopping Engines
If you have narrowed your purchase down to a specific product or service, comparison shopping engines, such as BizRate and PriceGrabber, can be very useful in identifying merchants offering the best price. Sites such as Ebay and Amazon can also be used to compare rates, read quality reviews and create product-specific alerts.

Daily Deal Flash Sale Sites
These social deals sites offer limited-time sales on products that have been deeply discounted by 50 to 90 percent off the original retail price. These “big deal of the day” sites offer discounts on well-known brand names, as well as local merchants and services, such as two-for-one coupons at restaurants, spas and cultural activities. Groupon, one of the largest providers of this service, requires a minimum number of customers to purchase the product before the deal is activated.

Members-Only Discount Sites
If you can afford the $1,675 price tag placed on the breathtakingly beautiful Alexander McQueen Floral Stiletto, then you probably aren”t too concerned about finding discounts. But, if you are a member of SecretSales.com, you can purchase McQueen’’s striking $636 slim fit coat in bright red for only $215.

Other members-only shopping clubs, such as Brand Alley, Rue La La and Vente-Privee, offer incredible discounts on some of the world’’s most prestigious labels, from the urban wear lines Apple Bottoms, Baby Phat and Ed Hardy to haute-couture designers, such as Missoni, Gucci and Jimmy Choo. The websites also offer discounts up to 70 percent off on designer jewelry, beauty products, accessories and home goods. Some of these sites are set up as an “invitation-only” shopping network that requires new customers to join a waiting list.

About The Author

Curtis West writes for KingIce (http://www.kingice.com), an online retailer of urban accessories including a selection of diamond watches for men
(http://www.kingice.com/Diamond-Watches-100558.html).