With the tax-filing deadline looming, many consumers are looking for ways to tighten their belts and spend less on everyday expenses. There are a multitude of tools and resources out there to help shoppers do just that, but the following five methods represent the top ways to get the best price.
1. Start scanning.
One of the easiest ways to score the best price is to use a barcode-scanning app like ShopSavvy. This app will pull up a list of stores located near you with the price of the product you’re looking to buy. In addition to pointing you toward the best price, you can also use this list to get a price-match. Target and Best Buy will price-match their main competitors as well as online stores like Amazon, so it pays to do your research.
2. Dare to compare.
Product and price-comparison websites abound on the Internet, making it easy to find the best deal. These sites are especially useful for products with high markups, like ink cartridges. Instead of spending more on ink replacements than you did for your printer, head to InkjetWilly.com to find the best price on OEM, refurbished and remanufactured options and never pay more than you need to for ink.
3. Sign up for savings.
Promotional emails are annoying but ultimately helpful when you’re looking to make a purchase. Lessen the burden by creating a separate email just for retail and restaurant promotions. When you’re ready to go shopping, peruse the messages and print the coupons and promotions to redeem the savings. Otherwise, peruse this list of shopping apps to help you score the best deal without fussing with papers.
4. Track price drops.
You can still get a better deal after you make a purchase by tracking price drops. Most retailers will provide price adjustments within a certain timeframe, and even airlines are offering credits on booked itineraries. Use Yapta.com to track the price of your trip so you can contact the airline directly if/when the price drops.
5. Chat with customer service.
Speaking to a salesperson or chatting with an online customer service rep can save you money. For example, a friend inquired after an Amazon order when it failed to show up in the estimated timeframe. The rep indicated her shipment was lost by the carrier and advised her to reorder, and also waived one-day shipping so she could get her items faster. She saved $19 on shipping just by chatting up customer service!
Guest Post by Andrea Woroch, a nationally-recognized consumer and money-saving expert who helps consumers live on less without radically changing their lifestyles. From smart spending tips to personal finance advice, Andrea transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers. She has been featured among top news outlets such as Good Morning America, NBC’s Today, MSNBC, New York Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more. You can follow her on Twitter for daily savings advice and tips.
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