Shop Smarter Online - Save in January

For many, Christmas shopping brings to mind spending a lot of money and rushing around to make sure they have bought everyone’s presents in time. The last few months of the year are when the start of the high-traffic online festive buying season begins. It doesn’t have to be stressful or overly expensive, however. Driven by end-of-year giving, some retailers offer super-low prices at Christmas time, in order to entice consumers to make their online gift purchases.

While Christmas time and the January sales can genuinely give you opportunities for good deals, consumers should be aware that sale prices alone don’t determine the value of an online special. If you’re not careful, you could get caught up in the retail excitement of last-minute bargains—only to realise you’re paying too much for shipping, or that the store has a two-week return policy (not helpful when you won’t be giving the gift for another month), or that the “blue” you thought you were getting is more of a purple.

Whether you plan to shop online for Christmas or at any other time of the year, before you open your laptop, read these hints to minimise your online shopping hassles and maximise your savings.

Get on Store Email Sales Lists Early

If you know the general types of items on your family’s gift lists—toys, electronics, and so on—get on the email lists of the retailers most likely to carry those items. This will ensure that when Christmas deals (or any other limited-time online specials) are offered, you’ll be familiar enough with the sale prices to know if you’re really getting a bargain on that deluxe Samsung 55” ES8000 Smart TV. And of course, signing up for the email lists will ensure you’ll be the first to know about the sales.

Make a List; Check It Twice

It helps to be very organised before you start Christmas shopping or taking advantage of the January sales. Once you have your family’s wish lists in hand, group the items according to type. This will allow you to quickly tell whether a retailer is offering what you’re looking for. It’ll also help you focus on what you really need to buy for Christmas gifts, and avoid distractions.

Know What You Want, but Be Flexible

To take full advantage of January sale savings or any online bargains, be flexible on model numbers. Tech manufacturers like Samsung introduce new models all the time, and you may not be familiar with the one on sale. But do make sure you know what features you can’t live without. For example, if you really want to shoot and share with built-in Wi-Fi, there are a number of Samsung SMART cameras that include it.

Read Customer Reviews

Many companies’ websites (including Samsung’s) post customer reviews, which can provide nuanced, real-world information on performance, usability, reliability, style, colour, fit, and other factors that might influence your decision to purchase. Be sure to check out these comments before you buy; the effort may save you the time and trouble of a purchase and return.

Factor Shipping Into the Total Cost

If your Christmas shipping isn’t free, estimate your shipping costs when assessing your bargain. If you’re considering buying an item that you think may need to be returned, such as a piece of clothing, think about the shipping cost for the possible return as well as for the purchase. Weigh the costs against what you save in time, effort, and travel by buying online. If possible, group purchases with a single retailer to save on shipping.

Check the Returns Policy

How long do you have to return unwanted items? Does that time frame fit your needs? Are there any other constraints? (For example, does the store accept returns on damaged goods only? Unopened boxes only?) Is return shipping free, or do you have to pay for it?

With a little organization, can save you time, energy, and, of course, money in the festive season. You might just get a great deal on that new Samsung Galaxy Note II for a loved one wants for Christmas. Or you could find it even cheaper in a January sale. Now that you know all the online shopping tips, see how you can save on Christmas shopping with our great offers.