"All You" advice about free shipping......I totally agree with this post, what good does it do to save money if you are still spending more money???? Read these tips from "All You" and learn a few tricks to actually save you money!!!!
This guest post is from our friends at JoeShopping.com
By Andrew Kardon
At a time when there never seems to be enough time in the day, there’s no question that online shopping offers convenience, as well as competitive deals. (E-commerce sales reached $227.6 billion in 2010.)
The downside? Shipping fees: shopping online can end up costing you an extra $10 or even $15 purely for shipping and handling. Of course savvy shoppers know to search for coupon codes and free shipping offer before clicking “buy” to negate those extra costs.
The convenience of ordering online and free shipping? It almost seems too good to be true. And in some cases… it is.
Whether you find a code for free shipping or a site that regularly offers free shipping with a minimum purchase, be sure to remember the following tips.
Read the Fine Print
Many stores will tempt you with free shipping offers, but be sure to read the terms of the deal. Often times the complimentary shipping doesn’t apply to specific product categories or big ticket items like flat screen TVs or exercise equipment like a treadmill.
Don’t Pay More Just to Get Free Shipping
You want a book that costs $12 … but there’s free shipping if you spend $25, so you hunt to find a few other books to bring your order up. Nice, except did you really want to spend that extra $13? Shipping may have been only $5 on that one book you actually wanted.
There are plenty of online stores that offer free shipping with no minimum purchase, so be sure to do your homework.
Timing is Everything
Planning on gifting those SpongeBob Legos at a birthday party this weekend? You may have to forgo free shipping. Most stores that offer free shipping do so via free ground shipping, which means it could take a week to 10 days for your item to arrive. If your item is out of stock, that will add even more time onto delivery, so plan ahead.
Check Coupon Combos
Every site is different, but if you must use a coupon code to get free shipping, that generally means you can’t use another coupon. (Unless the site lets you stack coupons, meaning use more than one code at once.)
Take a hard look at which will save you the most money — a discount code or free shipping — before checking out.
Don’t Lose Those Savings on Returns
So your item is finally on the way, free of charge. But what if it arrives and it’s the wrong size? Or not what you thought it’d be? Or, you just hate it?
Returning items purchased online can be difficult, and chances are you’ll be stuck paying for return shipping. (Unless you shop at an online store that accepts returns for free.) Be sure to familiarize yourself with an online store’s full return policies before you make any purchases.
Andrew Kardon is the president and co-founder of JoeShopping.com a super-friendly coupons, deals and rewards site, dedicated to saving you money. He’s also a freelance writer who wishes he could get free shipping on sushi every single day.
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