Savvy Shopper

I prefer to shop online. We all know the advantages and disadvantages of online shopping - it is open round the clock, it's the easiest way to find the best deal, and it is easy to get a promotion code. The package gets delivered wherever you want, but you cannot touch or feel the item. There are times when you are not sure about the quality, and you find it difficult to visualize its dimensions. Returns are not as easy as they appear to be, etc., etc. But with all this said, if you know what you want, online shopping can be simple and fun.

Prioritize your online shopping list, so that you can focus on the most important item first. Say, for example, you are trying to by a "tea pot" online...

1. Search for "tea pot" on google.com (or any search engine which can also display just images), click on the Images link, look at the images, see what is available in the marketplace.

2. Search "tea pot reviews" on another browser/tab, see what people are saying about "tea pots". Read reviews to understand the quality of the product. Keep an inch tape handy to help visualize its dimensions on a piece of paper.

3. Nail down your preferences to a few brands, sizes, colors, etc.,

4. Time for comparison shopping. Launch a website like nextag.com or pricegrabber.com or thefind.com or bizrate.com etc., and search for the more specific "tea pot" - now you have a price range for your "tea pot".

5. Pick an online vendor based on reviews, shipping charges, ease of returns/refunds, etc., You need a good combination - best item price + best vendor! I don't see a point paying less for the item and paying an exorbitant amount for shipping.

6. Find a valid coupon code online. Launch a coupon code website like - retailmenot.com or currentcodes.com or couponcabin.com or savings.com etc., in parallel and search your vendor. You will most likely find tons of expired coupon codes - try to locate a valid code (something like 10% off your purchase or Free Shipping Code). Copy & Paste the code to see if the code is still valid on your checkout page.

7. Time to buy! Use a credit card as debit cards don't have enough security. Always, check the final order submit page thoroughly before you click the submit button. Most online stores make it hard to change your order after you place it.

8. Look for an email on your purchase and save this email in a separate email folder - I call mine "Online Shopping" folder for future references.

9. Be a good citizen - write a review about the product and about the vendor when the product arrives and when you have started using it.

The online vendor you picked to buy the "tea pot" will most likely be the best choice for similar items as well. Enjoy shopping!