We have come to an era in time where we are so busy that on line shopping may be the most convenient way to shop. On line stores are now offering things to attract customers such as free shipping and free return shipping. There are many well hidden secrets that come with online shopping.

1. Do an on line coupon code search. If you are about to purchase an item on line search first to see if an on line coupon is available. For example, if I was going to buy diapers from Target, I would go to Google and type in “Target coupons” or “Target Online Coupons”. The first page will show me the most relevant coupons. I would click on the link where I might find a coupon code that is valid. Two web sites that can help you find on line codes are Coupon Mountain and Coupon Cabin . These two sites have hundreds of stores listed along with valid coupon codes that you can use online. An example of an online code is a set of numbers and letters such as BUY5 for $5 off a $50 purchase at Shoebuy.com. You can usually put these codes in a special box that indicates “coupon code” when you check out. Former codes could have saved our bargain shopper up to 70% at Coldwater Creek or have gotten us free shipping at Target . Coupon codes can save you a good amount of money for something that you were already going to purchase. Some stores allow more than one on line coupon code to be entered during check out. This can save you a generous amount of money and you can use codes to get free promotional items as well. A very popular ladies and teens web site that is know for doing this is Victoria’s Secret . They allow you to enter up to four coupon codes on their website. In the past they have run a deal where we got $10 off, free shipping, free lip gloss and a free tote in the same order. Now that is what I call bargain shopping!

2. Finding clearance prices online: Some stores have a policy that once their sales quota is met, they can now clearance that item for as little as 99 cents! They have already made their goal in sales, because someone else paid the full price. Now you can take advantage of this and purchase an item below the companies initial material cost. On line clearance prices are usually better than in store because most on line stores don’t have to pay to rent a building or pay a large staff. All these are factors that are included in retail store prices.

How to find the online clearance deals?

1. Sign up your email address with your favorite stores on line. Go to your favorite store’s website and add yourself to their email list. They will send you coupons, on line discount codes, sales notices and clearance alerts. These can be very valuable. Tip: Sign up for a separate email account and use this email to sign up online with stores. I opened a free email account such as http://www.hotmail.com/ and I use this account to sign up for stores online. This way I don’t get a lot of spam in my primary e-mail account but I can still scan the free account once a day to locate good deals.

2. Join online bargain web sites to find sizzling clearance deals. There are a few bargain web sites that have been designed to help you find great deals on line. You can sign up for these bargain sites on line. The first one I recommend is this one and you can sign up for alerts through Bloglines . You may want to check out Slick Deals as well. Last year there was a fantastic deal listed on this website to get $10 off any purchase at Norm Thompson . I was able to have free chocolate sent out to my family as Christmas gifts using the code!

Homework for Today- 1. Sign up for an email list from one of your favorite online stores. 2. Sign up for bloglines and add The Bargain Shopper Lady Blog to get instant alerts!

This post has 10 comments.

  1. carleigh
    20 Feb 08

    ok, i had no idea how to do all that stuff! thanks for teaching us how to do it! and i am going to do my homework today!

  2. Kaye
    20 Feb 08

    For finding online coupon codes or promotional codes, I love using retailmenot.com. Sometimes you have to sort through them to make sure they aren’t expired, but it is all right in front of you to look through. I’ve saved a LOT of money using this site!

  3. Dana
    20 Feb 08

    I use retailmenot.com all the time. I have also found a lot of codes on slickdeals.net.
    I LOVE SHOPPING ON LINE.

    D

  4. Allison
    20 Feb 08

    What do you think of websites like ebates.com, butterflymall.com, rebateshare.com & fatwallet.com who rebate a portion back to you? Is it worth it to sign up? My sister-in-law just told me about the ebates site and it looks like it’s for real, but I’m always leary of “joining” sites.

  5. The Bargain Shopper Lady
    20 Feb 08

    Hi Allison! The first time I used ebates, I did not get the credit for it, so I don’t shop there anymore. I have friends that do though. I get most of my rewards though a credit card that has a rewards program that I pay off monthly. In fact, I’ll have to post a deal the next time I see it. Every year I get two $50 gift cards for signing up for a credit card and canceling it. I usually get the gift cards to Lowes and do some work on the house with them.

  6. Lizla
    20 Feb 08

    Thanks for the great tips!!! I also have used retailmenot.com and slickdeals. Bloglines…that’s new for me so thanks as always, BSL!!!

  7. Great tips!

  8. Cindy
    21 Feb 08

    I really like jangle.net for finding best buys on Amazon.com.

  9. T
    22 Feb 08

    Love retailmenot.com, although some stores have actually asked to have their coupon codes removed from that site…Still always worth searching there first.

  10. Tom Keating
    13 Mar 08

    Thanks!

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