1. Start your online shopping Wednesday for the best deals and the largest selections.
Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are the most popular days for retailers to roll out sales and discount codes. more from cosmopolitan
2. Ask for discounts directly.
The next time you see one of those little dialogue boxes asking if you would like to chat with someone at the company, don't just close it. Say hello and ask if they have any promo codes they can share with you. Often, they have access to deals that you might not find otherwise.
You can also email or call customer service if chatting is not an option. If you call, though, make sure you check out Get Human first to help you figure out exactly which phone number to use to get direct access to a real person. If that doesn't work, try tweeting at them. Many brands are much more responsive through social media than they are through traditional modes of communication.
3. When shopping on Amazon.com, use the Amazon filler item finder to reach that all-important $35 minimum needed for free shipping if you don't have Amazon Prime.
Just type in the amount needed to reach the minimum for free shipping and the filler finder will produce a list of items at or just slightly above that amount for you to choose from.
4. Use size filters to spare yourself the pain of seeing an item you love only to realize that it is not available in your size.
Great if you need something right away for a specific event and can't wait for the store to restock.
5. Stick to sites that offer free shipping both ways and buy extras.
You can buy the same piece in multiple sizes to ensure that you get an optimal fit. Yes, you will have to return the stuff you don't want to keep, but often you can return items bought online directly to the store if that is more convenient than dealing with shipping. Just make sure you read those return policies carefully before making your purchase.
6. If you're diligent about paying off your credit card bill each month, it's better to use a credit card over a debit card when shopping online.
It takes a lot less time to refund a credit card than a debit card.
7. If you are not sure about an item, put it in your cart and leave the site without completing the purchase.
Sometimes brands will reach out to you with a special discount. Just make sure you have an account set up with them before you closeout. If you start your checkout as a "guest" instead of registering, then they won't know who you are or how to get in touch with you. Also, make sure you click the "OK to contact me about sales and special offers" option when you register.
8. Make a shopping list and then use aggregate shopping sites like Polyvore and Shop Style to search for the specific items you want in the sizes and colors you need, at prices you can afford.
You may even find that multiple sites are selling the same item at different prices.
9. Favorite items you like, but are unsure you want to buy.
Then get updates when they go on sale. This works great on aggregate sites like Polyvore or one-stop retailers like Shopbop and Revolve.
10. Score a deal even when items aren't on sale by buying discounted gift cards online and using them to pay for the items you like on your favorite websites.
Sites like Cardpool buy gift cards for a fraction of their actual value and then sell them at a discount. So let's say someone has a $20 gift card to express that they don't want. They sell it to Cardpool for $15 and then Cardpool turns around and sells it to you for $17. Now you've got $20 to spend at express, but you only paid $17 for it. That's a savings of 15 percent. Yeah, it's sort of a lot of work for a measly $3, but if you're buying a lot of stuff, those discounts can really add up. It can take a little time to actually get the gift cards, though, so make plan your shopping accordingly.
11. Don't believe the sale hype.
Sometimes sites will inflate the starting price of an item to make it look like you are saving more money than you really are, so it's up to you to do your due diligence and make sure the prices you are being given are accurate. Just put the item you're interested in into your cart so you don't lose it, and then do a quick Google search for the designer's name and the type of product you are shopping for. You may find that the amazing deal you thought you were getting isn't actually so great after all. You may even find that same item for less.
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