You’re one keystroke away from buying that digital camera you had your eye on. But by the time you hit "check out" and the shipping costs are calculated, that great deal you thought you were getting ends up costing more than you bargained for. But you can’t bargain away shipping charges, or can you? Until you enter your credit card number and hit "place order," it’s not too late to turn back and eliminate those shipping costs. Follow these tips and forget about freight charges for good:
Search Price Comparison Web Sites
Sites like Deal News and Price Grabber show you hundreds of free-shipping offers. Simply search for "free shipping" on either site and you’ll find everything from sunglasses to men’s shoes to medical supplies. Even if they don’t have the offer you’re looking for, sign up for an e-mail alert if it does come in.
Buy Online and Pick up at a Store
A lot of larger merchants will give you better deals online than in the store. But instead of paying for shipping and waiting for your package to arrive, you can go to the closest retail location and your product will be waiting for you, often within minutes of your purchase.
Look for Stores that Offer Free Shipping All the Time
Amazon always gives you free shipping on orders of $25 or more. But be prepared to wait between five and nine business days to receive the items.
Search Coupon Sites for Free Shipping
Before you ever hit "place order", do an extensive search of all the coupon sites for a "free shipping offer." Often, you’ll not only get free shipping but a substantial savings as well. If you can’t find the coupon you’re look for, but you have a bunch of others that you’re not using, consider trading coupons.
Get on a Store’s E-mail List
Your inbox is probably crowded enough. But if you have a favorite store, you’ll be a favorite customer by allowing them to send you free-shipping deals and sale information before it gets to the general public.
Join a Free-shipping Web Site
FreeShipping.com offers members access to free shipping at more than 1,000 popular stores. The site offers a free 30-day trial membership.
If you still can’t find the perfect gift this holiday season without spending a hefty chunk of change on shipping, consider gift certificates!
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L. Marie Dubuque - Based in St. Louis, Marie Dubuque is certified as a life coach. Her latest book, Emotional Spending: How to Break the Addiction is now ...
