Shopping online versus shopping in-store: Which is cheaper?

Finding the best deal online can be an art form, but these simple tips and tricks will save you hours and bag you a bargain.

I’ve been a huge fan of online shopping for years now. Partly because I like to shop while lying in bed with a glass of wine, and partly because I live rurally and online shopping allows me to buy absolutely anything and have it delivered to my door. Plus, when I’m sad, “adding to cart” makes my heart sing.

But apart from enabling an online shopping addiction here, did you know that swapping to online shopping as opposed to going to the actual shops can actually save you money? And that’s without taking into account all the wear and tear on vehicles and parking rage.

Here are some nifty online shopping hacks to get the best deal.

Sign up for newsletters

Okay, it’s a pain in the butt but … online stores want your business, and most stores offer a discount code or have an offer especially for new customers if you sign up with their newsletter. If you get sick of the emails, set up a “throwaway” email address so you don’t have to deal with the barrage of emails.

If you’re not keen on credit cards, use PayPal

PayPal is great – it offers insurance when it comes to purchases online, especially if you are buying from a retailer that you aren’t sure of. If your purchase doesn’t arrive or there is an issue with the product, you have buyer’s protection. So it protects your money “just in case”.

The first secret to securing a bargain is to subscribe to newsletters. Picture: iStock.

Follow brands and influencers to get coupon codes

Brands and influencers make money by promoting a product or service they love, by enticing you to buy in exchange for a commission. And by enticement, I mean excellent deals on the products they are peddling. So keep an eye out for coupon codes and exclusive deals offered, and use them. Not only does it keep them employed, but it also saves you money.

Leave items in the cart to see if they offer a discount

Have you ever just sat there on your phone and done some online shopping without actually buying anything? Did you notice that soon after, while your products are still sitting in the cart, they offer you a discount in order to purchase? Well, take advantage of this – add to your cart and sit and wait …

Coupon codes are another brilliant way to save money. Picture: supplied

Google Image search for the cheapest deal

If you are looking for a particular product, and want to search for the cheapest possible price around, use the Google Image Search and pop the product into the search function. Google will locate everyone that has this image – and that includes retailers – then you can just compare the price and choose the cheapest. The “shopping” feature of Google does this to a certain degree – but the image search finds everything.

Use a store’s online chat feature to ask for a discount

You don’t ask – you don’t get, right? The chat feature for online stores is there to help you – and that includes helping you, the customer, to get the best price. So when the chat feature pops up, ask them if this is the best price available. Just remember to be polite and ask nicely – you catch more flies with honey than vinegar!

Online shopping is here to stay, and it is like buying a present for you – from you. But take advantage of these tips to get the best price around. Happy shopping!

Originally published as Shopping online versus shopping in-store: Which is cheaper?