1. Search online for discount and promotion codes before making ANY online purchase. After you’ve found exactly what you want from an online retailer and are about to buy it, conduct an online search for promotion codes and discount codes in association with the website in question. You’ll be amazed at how many discounts and free shipping offers there are out there at any given moment at sites like CouponCabin and RetailMeNot.
2. Covet and carry coupons. The days of turning noses up on cut-and-carry discounts are way over. Snip your savings with pride—and carry them in your purse or glove box so you’re always ready to splurge for less. Also, check out the weekly specials from your local stores.
3. Ask for a discount or an even deeper price-cut than those offered. This tip rarely works with major retailers, who usually dance to the beat of a corporate drum, but almost all small, independent retailers realize that a purchase at a lesser price is better than no purchase at all. This proved itself to be true when one of our motorcycle-enthusiast staffers recently spotted a swank helmet on a website. He called the company, told them that the helmet was dreamy (okay he didn’t use that word exactly), but that it was beyond his budget—and that he’d try to find the funds if they’d come down in price. The result: 10% off the $500 price tag. That’s a $50 savings! Another case in point: One of our VPs got a $300 discount on her rent, just by asking for it! The moral here: You can’t get what you don’t ask for, so always ask for a discount. The worst thing that can happen is you’ll get no for an answer. And in that case, you can still decide whether you want to buy whatever it is you’re shopping for at the full retail price.
4. Pay in Cash. Did you know businesses pay a percentage of each sale to credit card companies when the sale is paid for with a credit card? It’s true! And what that means is that often you can negotiate a substantially lower price for everything from products to services (Think plumbing, construction, singing lessons, whatever!) if you offer to pay with hard currency. Bonus: Word from the financial experts is that you are likely to spend 12% less in general if you pay with cash, since handing over real dollars makes you more aware that you are parting with your money than credit card do.
5. Follow your favorite retailers on Twitter. Everyone’s on the social media bandwagon these days, including retailers. And guess what they want you to do: Buy their stuff. To lure you (and us) in, they often announce deals to their loyal followers. Become one and you can have your Victoria Secret or ShopBop and save on it, too. P.S. Follow us on Twitter for the latest promotions and giveways.
6. Browse the Sales & Stores area on Kaboodle. Yes, we’re plugging our own site here, but hey, our Sales & Stores channel is brand new and it features the latest deals from across the web, all of which are hand-selected and updated daily by one of our shopaholic editors.
7. Challenge late fees. That’s right. A quick phone call to your bank or credit card company can be the difference between burning money and finding an excuse to treat yourself to a little something extra this month (our surprise splurges are usually on a new date-night dress, trendy vests, or a fab new lip gloss. All you have to do is call the company that’s charging you the fees, politely tell them that as a valued customer you would appreciate if they waived the charges, and if the customer service rep doesn’t budge, ask to speak with a manager. With polite perseverance, and a reminder that you can always take your business elsewhere, they almost always move monetary mountains—provided you don’t request late-fee reversals every month.
8. Dispute charges for going over your allotted cell phone minutes. True story: After one of our staff members was charged an extra $150+ dollars for using more minutes than her plan allowed, she called the cell phone company and pleaded for a one-time reversal of charges—without having to change (and consequently renew) her contract. Her excuse was plain and simple: “I can’t afford it.” The first customer service rep pushed back on giving her a break, then offered her 25% off. To that she literally said, “Thank you so much for the offer, but that’s not good enough” and asked to speak with a supervisor. Perseverance, and a kind but firm disposition, ultimately resulted in paying 50% less than they initially charged her. A side note: This only works if you pursue a “pardon” infrequently.
9. Threaten to abandon ship. Just last month one of our team members called her cable company and said she was going to cancel her service if they didn’t give her a really deep discount. (Turns out many companies save their very best deals for customers they are about to lose.) She now pays 50% of what she did before—with all the same features. You can also try this with gym and other memberships and services.
10. Shop around. You’re online so you probably already know that all prices are not created equal on the Web, and that comparison shopping can result in huge savings. There is a trick, however, to getting the REAL best price: Do the math on not only the price but the entire transaction. Some sites waive taxes, shipping and handling, or both, and often these discounts result in a lower bottom line.
Related Links:
Holiday Gifts Under $25
Major Deals On Everything Fashion
Cliniques Biggest Promotion of the Year
Shop the Latest Deals
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
