10 money hacks to save and earn the maximum during online shopping

We are closing on the year 2021, albeit with all the precautions and restrictions amidst COVID-19. We are gearing up to close the year with a big bang. If we cannot party hard, we can surely shop hard! Many e-commerce platforms have already announced their end of season sales. Amidst the pandemic, shopping online has not only become a fad, but it has also become a need! It is convenient and pocket-friendly, given the discounts and reduced time, effort and money. Here are some cool and easy ways in which you can get the best bang for the buck:

First-time Buyer? Register and Get a Discount
 

First-time purchasers are often given a specific discount if they register and become a member. The sign-up process is quite simple. You will have to provide your user ID, email ID, and other generic details. If you are already a member, you can provide a different email ID and sign up to avail of the discount. Buying the product as a guest will deprive you of these benefits. Hence, you should sign up with the e-commerce provider and avail of the offer.

Pre-launch Offers

Many e-commerce sites help avail products before they are officially launched. They are available under the pre-order category. This will offer better discounts for a limited number of customers. If you have been on the lookout for a new model for electronic goods like smartphones, laptops, television sets, etc., then this could be the ideal way to purchase the goods at a discounted rate. 

Mobile App-only Offers

Many popular online shopping platforms offer special discounts on their mobile app platform. They intend to capture the client for life and make the online shopping app a part of the customer's lifestyle. The mobile app is also handy from a customer's perspective as it helps one shop for items on the go. Switching from using the browser to a mobile app would also provide additional discounts, hence downloading and purchasing from the online platform makes sense.

Cashback on Selected Cards and Wallets

Often, during checkout, there are a bunch of cashback offers that may be available for certain credit cards, debit cards, e-wallets, etc. If you are eligible to use any of the offers, then you should consider using them. Buying branded items can be costly, and hence before you make the payment, lookout for cashback and discounts that you may be eligible for.

Discount Filters

If you are shopping during the festive season or the fag end of the year, there is a likelihood that the products are available at a huge discount. It would help if you used smart filters to reduce the list of products to a set that offers optimal discounts. The list provides products which are available at 50%-70% discount, 80% and above etc., depending upon your budget and requirement, you can choose the discounts that suit your requirement. 

Avail Credit Cards Which are Designed for Shopping

There are specific cards that are designed specifically for shopping. When you avail of a credit card, you should avail of one that is aligned to one's needs. These days, banks use analytics to ascertain your lifestyle requirements. This includes credit cards that are designed with relevant inbuilt rewards, purchase points and discounts. These cards are available for specific customers, depending on their eligibility. You may have to check with your bank on their list of products, your eligibility and choose the one that aligns best with your shopping and lifestyle requirements. 

Sign Up for Membership

There are many entry points to signing up for premium membership, especially if you shop from a particular platform very often. There are benefits such as better discounts/cashback offers, free shipping, quick delivery etc., A frequent shopper can benefit from this membership especially, in terms of nil delivery charges. There are also times when the premium members are given a sneak peek at their discount offers before they are officially launched to all the shoppers. This gives them a heads-up to order the products before going out of stock.

Returns and Refunds

While shopping for products, make sure you check their policy on returns and refunds. Choosing products with a conducive return and refund policy is always advisable. This enables you to return the product if you had bought it at a whim or impulse. 

Shop During Festive Sales

Around the year, there are many periods when festive sales are introduced across online shopping platforms. They have become so frequent these days that it almost seems like the discounts are available every few months. Any big-ticket purchase should be parked for such seasons when one can get the product at a heavy discount. 

Compare and Buy
 

Comparing items across platforms will ensure that you avail the product at the most competitive price. There is also the facility of comparing features across the products to ensure that you choose the one that aligns best with your needs.

Disclaimer

The contents of this article/infographic/picture/video are meant solely for information purposes. The contents are generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances. The information is subject to updation, completion, revision, verification and amendment and the same may change materially. The information is not intended for distribution or use by any person in any jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation or would subject IDFC FIRST Bank or its affiliates to any licensing or registration requirements. IDFC FIRST Bank shall not be responsible for any direct/indirect loss or liability incurred by the reader for taking any financial decisions based on the contents and information mentioned. Please consult your financial advisor before making any financial decision.