These days, a high percentage of people do practically all of their shopping online. From groceries to clothes hauls, everything is available at your fingertips, and the internet has made it easier than ever to get the items you need. But are you always making smart decisions when doing so? There are a few tips that can help you save money while being safer.
Compare Different Retailers
Don’t buy your items from the first site you look at. Check the prices on multiple sites such as Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart. Tools like Shopbot.ca and Google Shopping Canada can help with this, enabling you to get the best deals available. You can also track price history using CamelCamelCamel to monitor price trends on sites like Amazon, which can tell you whether you need to wait until you make a purchase.
Install Browser Extensions
Install various extensions such as Honey, Piggy, and Rakuten Canada that can automatically apply coupon codes or enable you to earn cash back. These are simple and easy ways to save money, particularly during seasonal sales.
Use a VPN
A VPN is useful for encrypting your connection and protecting your sensitive data – this is key during a time when cybercrime is on the rise and many people shop on unsecured networks, such as public Wi-Fi. You should also make sure the site is legit before entering your payment details. Some e-commerce sites use dynamic pricing based on your past browsing history or location, so installing a VPN Chrome extension means you can hide this information and avoid these price hikes.
Check Seller Reviews
You should always look at the reviews of any items or products you’re thinking of buying. It could be the images are inaccurate or enhanced by AI, or it’s not a quality buy, which is better to know before paying than after you’ve received the item. Look for verified purchases and detailed feedback to avoid poor-quality items and unreliable sellers. Positive reviews will also give you peace of mind, knowing that others have had a positive experience with the shop and product.
Shopping online brings a high level of convenience to life, plus you can often save money by comparing options online. You can buy practically anything online these days, but you need to make sure that you are making smart purchasing decisions. The advice in this post should help you make smart choices, save money, stay safe when shopping online, and avoid low-quality items.