The Internet can serve as an excellent source for bargains, from heavily discounted designer shoes to free shipping on best-selling books. And right now, the timing couldn't be better.
"This is an excellent time to (find online bargains) because of the economy," says Barb Webb, the author of "The Mom's Guide to Earning and Saving Thousands on the Internet." "Companies are trying to get your business, your attention and your money, so they're offering a lot of coupons, deals and reduced pricing."
The trick is knowing just how and where to find fantastic deals in cyberspace. Deciphering today's price-comparison Web sites, e-mail newsletters and coupon codes can be daunting.
Fortunately, by following a few simple steps, you can take advantage of the best deals online. Here are nine secrets to finding online bargains.
1. Sign up for newsletters
One of the most convenient ways to score deals is to sign up for e-newsletters or updates from your favorite merchants.By creating an account with an online retailer, you'll receive e-mail blasts with special offers and coupons on a continuing basis, Webb says. Better yet, many of these offers are tailored to meet your online buying habits and preferences based on your shopping history.
Don't expect to be inundated with exclusive offers of dirt-cheap products, though. Less than 15% of online retailers offer exclusive deals through their e-mail lists, according to the Email Experience Council, the New York e-mail marketing arm of the Direct Marketing Association.
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2. Visit coupon code sites
If you can't wait for an e-newsletter to reach your inbox, take matters into your hands by visiting a coupon code site.RetailMeNot.com, CouponChief.com and FatWallet.com are just a few of the sites that allow you to search for coupon codes by simply entering a store's Web address or keyword into a search engine. Codes can then be submitted through a merchant's online order form for special offers, ranging from discounts to free shipping, which are automatically deducted from your order total.
Discounts typically start at 10% and can skyrocket to upward of 70%, says Webb, an avid online shopper who recently scored bras for $3 apiece from Lane Bryant because of a 75% coupon promotion.
Experts agree that you're likely to find better deals through third-party Web sites such as RetailMeNot than dealing directly with a merchant. However, Webb says that some online retailers won't allow you to cash in coupons unless you hold an active member account.
"A lot of drugstores, for example, won't let you access coupons unless you're on their mailing list," she says. "They're specifically for members, and some even put your name on coupons to prevent nonmembers from using them." So make sure you read a coupon's fine print before banking on a discount.
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3. Give search engines a try
It may not have the flash and pizazz of a coupon code site, but search engines also can stir up some hot deals if you search for the name of the site and "coupon.""Even FatWallet doesn't have it all, so I always tell people to go to Google's search engine," Webb says. "It'll automatically pull up coupon offers from thousands of Web sites that you may otherwise not have accessed."
A new option is Bing, Microsoft's search engine, which pulls up images, ratings and links to online stores. Certain items qualify for the Bing Cashback rewards program.
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