As online shopping becomes more common, how do we know that we are not only getting the best prices but also keeping our data safe? Experts share their favorite strategies, including tips for using price-comparison tools, getting cash back and protecting passwords.
[See: 12 Shopping Tricks to Keep You Under Budget.]
Safety comes first. When shopping online, you’ll want to do so securely to prevent identity theft. A closed padlock in the corner of your web browser and a URL preceded by “https” are a good place to start. But you should also be mindful of the Wi-Fi connection you are using. Wi-Fi is available and free in many public places, such as hotels and coffee shops, but it’s not always secure. “It’s convenient to use free Wi-Fi networks in public locations to conduct your online shopping, but if a public Wi-Fi network doesn’t require a password, then the traffic coming from your device can be easily monitored and stolen,” says Marisa Rogers, windows and devices group privacy officer at Microsoft, in an email. If the connection isn’t secure, conduct your online shopping at home.
Many e-commerce sites require you to sign in with a password to shop. Use a program such as Dashlane or LastPass to store passwords for different websites, says Bryce Austin, cybersecurity expert and author of “Secure Enough?: 20 Questions on Cybersecurity for Business Owners and Executives.” “These are called ‘password keepers,'” he says. “They will often automatically log you into a given website, which is very convenient. Using the same password for all sites is not recommended because if one site gets hacked, then your whole online identity gets hacked.”
[See: 10 Money-Saving Websites to Check Before Shopping.]
Save on style. Shopping online can be much more efficient than in-store shopping, especially when it comes to conducting research. “We may look to the runway shows for inspiration, but a $3,000 dress isn’t in the cards for most of us,” says Anna De Souza, eBay lifestyle editor. She suggests deconstructing the components of a look you like, then searching for the elements that appeal to you — for example, embroidered, appliqué or beaded — on a budget-friendly site such as Missguided, eBay, Boohoo, Lulus or Forever 21. “This is how you can score an elevated look for way less,” she says in an email.
Seek deals. Always compare prices before you buy, says Kendal Perez, savings expert from HassleFreeSavings.com. “You can simply conduct a Google search to see who is selling your desired product at what price,” she says in an email. “Or you can use tools like Honey and InvisibleHand. These browser extensions alert you when something you’re looking at is better priced elsewhere.”
Coupons are another good way to save. Try installing the browser extension Gumdrop, says Bobbi Rebell, a certified financial planner and host of the Financial Grownup podcast, in an email. “Gumdrop will find you the best deals, so you don’t have to search around for coupons at various websites. You can also choose a charity, and a portion of what you spend will go to that cause. The best part is it will literally cost you nothing,” she says.
Track prices. Because online prices can fluctuate regularly, check prices before and after you buy something, says consumer savings expert and U.S. News contributor Andrea Woroch. You just might qualify for a price adjustment. She recommends using Paribus, a service that tracks price drops of online purchases linked to your email. “It notifies you if something you buy goes on sale, and if you’re eligible for a price adjustment,” she says in an email. “They will even request the price adjustment on your behalf.”
[See: 10 Signs You Shop Too Much.]
Get rewards. Use a credit card that offers rewards combined with a cash-back site, such as Ebates or Mr. Rebates, so you can select the site with the best cash-back offer. That strategy creates “multiple ways to save money and make money while spending money,” says money-saving expert Mae Bereal, in an email.
Perfect the “buyer bluff.” You can sometimes trick an e-retailer into giving you an exclusive discount, which Michael Parrish DuDell, chief strategy officer at CouponFollow, calls the “Buyer Bluff.” “Create an account on a retailer’s website, add an item to your cart, start the checkout process, and then abandon the transaction before it’s complete,” he says in an email. Within a day, you could receive an email from that retailer with a coupon code to complete your purchase.
Skip the free-shipping minimum. Many online retailers have a minimum threshold to qualify for free shipping. Avoid the trap of buying more than you need just to meet that minimum, says Adrian Nazari, CEO of Credit Sesame, a personalized credit service, in an email. “Many retailers will ship your item to a store for free, so you can avoid paying to ship, get exactly what you want, and not have to increase your order to reach the shipping minimums,” he says.
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Savvy Online Shopping: How to Shop Safer and Score Better Prices originally appeared on usnews.com
