Online shopping can be tricky and a nightmare for some people because of things like finding the right size, uncertainty on the clothes fit, anxiety etc. I experienced all of these and more when I started shopping online, but now I buy 85% of everything I own online. It wasn’t easy at first, but as I got more experienced, I can say that I am an online shopping Boss and can find anything online. This post would cover tips on how to save money when shopping online and the content from this post can be used when shopping in store as well.
When I shop online, I am usually shopping for clothes or shoes, so this post would be skewed towards these items. There are roughly three reasons why I shop: (1)I need something (2)I am stressed (3) Bored and just browsing to see what’s out there. Regardless of why you are shopping, incorporate some, if not all these steps to make it easier.
1. Know your size range
I have helped a couple of friends and family members shop for clothes online, who didn’t know their size and it was not fun and took twice as much time. Therefore, I cannot stress the importance of this aspect enough. Knowing your size doesn’t mean knowing a specific number. You need to know your size range because some brands run smaller than others and this would also help you when deciding your fit. For example, for clothes, I can wear a size 6 to a size 14 based on the brand and how I want them to look on me.
2. Reviews are your best friend
I never buy anything without reading the reviews when they are available. Reviews would help you understand how the clothes fit, the quality, if the color is true, if the sizes run small or if the zipper is hard to zip and more. Some people even share their weight, height and shape which is usually super helpful. Reading through reviews to get information also gives you an idea of useful information to include when writing your own reviews. Remember that not every review is helpful or relevant to you.
3. Know what fit you are going for
Before adding an item to your cart, have an idea of how you want it to look on you. This helps when choosing sizes especially after reading some reviews. Another helpful tip is, looking at the model and compare him/her to your body shape. Pay attention to those areas that are too loose or too tight. Most sites include what size the model is wearing but when not included, I assume it is either an XS or S. For plus sizes, I assume it is either a 0X or 1X. For example if you want Jeans to be baggy on you, go 2 to 3 sizes up from your normal size.
4. Add as many items to your cart as possible
Unsure if you like an item or want an item? Just add it to your cart. This would save you a lot of time going back and forth to find an item which you didn’t want, but now you do. I normally do this and then, I take out what I don’t want based on my budget and preference before checking out. Also, as you add items, remember the ones you really want and the ones which you don’t care too much for. If you are someone who over thinks everything like I do, this would make your final filtering process before checking out easier.
5. Find coupons and get an Ebates account
Most websites have coupons which are not listed on the site. Before checking out, google search the sites coupons. For example ” American Apparel Coupons”. Retailmenot has been the most useful for me when it comes to coupons. Get an Ebates account here and the browser extension, so that you can get money back on your purchases. The money you get back may seem small but it adds up. I’ve gotten back almost 200$ since I started using Ebates. If you get the browser extension, it provides some coupons of the site you are shopping from, which you can click on to apply to your cart. If you have a student email enroll in UNIDAYS, that 10% is usually handy especially if you hate paying for shipping.
6. Check their shipping and return policy
I really hate paying for shipping and sometimes it is a deal breaker. I normally try to buy items which meet the free shipping minimum or find a random coupon online to compensate for this. Also, be cautious of the shipping minimum, if the items in your cart are 45$ and the shipping minimum is 50$ with standard shipping of 4.99$, try to find an item which cost 5$ instead of paying for shipping. Read the return policy before making a purchase. If you shop from international sites like I do, you don’t want to pay 25$ to return an item which cost 15$. If the return policy is not buyer friendly, don’t make the purchase, unless you are willing to keep all the items you buy. Doing this would make you hate online shopping a little less.
7. When in doubt use PayPal for payment
If you are unsure of the security or legitimacy of the site, use PayPal. Most sites have this option. Also, PayPal could facilitate the process of getting your money back, if you didn’t receive your item or returned an item. I know no one does this, but if you are truly unsure of the site, read their privacy policy or just do a google search of the site to see what comes up.
8. Start with sale items
Start with sale items if you are not looking for anything specific or are just browsing. Sale items are usually very diverse, so they would give you ideas of a good additions to your closet. You can also tell from sale items if the site is too pricey.
9. Shop around
The only way through which you will get good and comfortable at online shopping is too shop around from different sites. As you shop from multiple sites, you would gain better insights on their sizing, quality, specific items which they make really well, where you can get the same items for less etc. If something strikes you about a brand or if you are just curious, buy an item from them. Choose an item that would give some information on the brand. For example, I can get most of the clothes that are sold on Misguided and PrettyLittleThing, for cheaper at Boohoo, but Misguided has a better petite selection. The sizes of these three sites are also the same. This is not something which you would just know unless, you’ve shopped from all three.
Online shopping could be overwhelming, but I hope this post has been helpful. I’ve done it so much that I can look at a piece of clothing online and know the areas that are going to be puffy in places that I don’t want or when it would be see through. As you do it often you would become a BOSS.Look forward to posts on where to shop if you are petite and my top sites to shop online.
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Alieh Kimbeng 