Repeat the Three Cs: Compare, Codes, Confidence. 4
Use apps like Red Laser or websites such as Pricegrabber to find the best prices and discount codes (and check out sites from our Pros below). “Always compare…you will rarely have to pay full price for an item,” says Claudia Lombana, PayPal shopping specialist. She suggests emphasizing a review of the web address before entering any information. “Make sure the URL of the site you are on starts with ‘https’ and not just ‘http’ to ensure it is secure.”
Think Outside the (Big) Box.
6 Large department stores offer great online prices, but smaller sites may have better deals. Find amazing gifts at a huge discount on flash sale sites like Rue La La, Gilt, One Kings Lane, and HauteLook. Zulily has some of the best find on the web for moms, babies, and kids, but their almost-too-good-to-be-true sales last only 72 hours, so you have to act fast. Have a back-up plan in case you don’t see something quite right…or you do and it (sadly) sells out.
Even the Best Gifts Sometimes Miss. When Aunt Joanna 5
doesn’t adore that chartreuse scarf, know that she can get something she does love without much hassle. Review return and exchange policies and shop at sites that “make the possible return or exchange easy for the gift recipient,” says Woroch.
Invisible Hand »
FREE RIDE:
How to Avoid Shipping Charges
SIGN UP TO SAVE. Joining a subscription service for a yearly fee is a definite cost-saver if you often shop online. Madhok of Shefinds likes ShopRunner, which boasts more than 40 retail partners. “Members get free two-
Gift List »
Track the gifts you have purchased, see what you still need to buy, tally your spending, and much more with this handy app.
Hate that bulging pile of receipts in your purse? With one click of your smart phone, Lemon captures your receipt as a pdf image and then categorizes it however you want it to (business or personal), all right at your fingertips.
The Hoopla Doopla Guys
fairly ubiquitous, particularly in the lead up to the holidays. Consumer expert Woroch recommends Freeshippingday, a site that lists merchants who offer free shipping codes and other discounts year-round. Hint: if you need to meet a minimum price avoid shipping charges, check that list to see whom else you can buy for from that site.
APPS TO DOWNLOAD
Lemon Wallet »
“Beware of ‘The Great Deal’ gimmick. Merchants throw in additional items to make it appear like a great bargain—you wind up paying extra for things you don’t need.” —Frank DeBlasi and Tom Cangley
FIND THE FREE. Free shipping codes are
INSIDER TIP
day shipping and free shipping on returns for holiday gifts.” Mega-store Amazon also offers Amazon Prime, a free two-day shipping service. “I tend to buy many toys, books, and electronics from Amazon.” says Simpson of BespokeCustomGifts, “I save money and know that my gift will absolutely come in two days.”
BYPASS THE LINES. For family and friends across the globe, ship the gifts directly to where they need to go. Many sites offer wrapping services, as well as gift receipts with the price omitted. The free shipping/skip the post office combo saves you not only money, but (perhaps more importantly) time.
Forget having to surf for hours to find the lowest online price. Say hello to Invisible Hand, a browser add-on and smartphone app that finds the best deals on any product you’re searching for online. One of the nicest details: it only pops up when it finds a new price.
“If you see something, think who on your list might like the same item. There’s nothing better than a present that you can stock up on.” —Liz Lange and Jane Wagman
GUIDE: Simply add “.com” to any Website Name on these two pages to start shopping!
Founders of Shopafrolic.com
C A M B R I A S T Y L E . C O M
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