I am not being very optimistic here but there are definitely few benefits that you can avail due to recession. Vendors have cut down their profit margins and are offering various commodities at quite a reasonable price. If you are not aware about such constructive change, visit any shopping precinct nearby.

However, they variety of products that can be browsed on the internet is far greater than products in limited spaces of a mall. Also, it’s much convenient. Along with these benefits, let us complement our online shopping with some great tactics to get the best deal. Ready? Here we go.

1. Compare the prices

   To get the best product with most economical price we physically cannot keep driving all around the city. That’s why we use internet. However, searching for the best deal on internet can also be quite baffling, if you don’t know where to log on. Some websites like dealnews.com, shopzilla.com, streetprices.com, and coolsavings.com provides some very exciting tools to compare prices.

2. Search again and again

   Comparison websites are good to get the best prices available in the market. But not if you are browsing like a nerd. Many retailers are always displayed on the top even if it’s the most expensive store in town. That’s because they have paid more to be on top. Try searching the results by sorting based on locality, price, or ranking to get the best picture.

3. Official sites

   Comparison sites are good for comparing prices. However, to get the latest info on new arrivals, promotions, offs, etc. directly go the retailer’s website. Don’t always rely on comparison sites because some sites may also show old prices.

4. Leave no evidence

   No evidence? Are we talking about some secret agent or something? Yes, if that’s what you prefer to call it. Your desktop is working against as it passes all the information to the retailer who will give you bad deals. The information of websites you visited is stored in your cookies, which are used by advertisers to track customer’s likings, interests, surfing habits, etc. Many times you get pages with same old search results and old prices. So, delete all cookies after every browsing session. Get the benefits enjoyed by first-time website visitor.

5. Stay updated

   Some retailers have an online outlet, some doesn’t. If it has, enjoy the benefits of weekly circulars and discount coupons on your email. A difference between online and offline rates is sometimes possible. So, compare the prices of every product before buying.

6. Get partial refunds

   If you are referred to some shopping site by a website, they get a referral fee. So, someone is using you to make money. Let them do it because many of them also gives you are part of their income that’s generated by you. Sites like MrRebates.com and ebates.com are some of them. Log on to these sites, register, and follow the shopping links provided by them to get this benefit.

7. Are you lucky?

   Many websites displays an empty box, written besides which is ‘enter promotional code.’ See what it offers. Websites like couponcabin.com, retailmenot.com and currentcodes.com are some good websites to mount up your savings. You can also enter the name of a retailer and the ‘coupon code’ in the search engine to try your luck.

Shopping online is a better way to avail products rather than commuting physically. However, online scams today are very frequent these days. So, check for the trademark sign and visit secured pages.

Smart Shopping Part I: Resourceful Shopping