Save money shopping online, using discount coupons
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Save money shopping online, using discount coupons.
There are two main types of Internet shopping promotions that you will see while browsing online. One is called the "coupon code" or "promotional code " and the other is a " link only" promotion.
Do you remember how frustrated you were standing in that long line at your favorite store, trying desperately to take advantage of their semi-annual end-of-season sale, or whatever scheme they may be running that week?
That frustration is a thing of the past because these days most popular online retailers including Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Staples, Gap, and Old Navy offer online coupons to encourage consumer spending and loyalty.
The world of online retailing is a very competitive place and there are always discounts and perks being offered to win customers.
The brick and mortar stores rely on weekly sales to motivate buyers. The online merchants use discount codes in the same manner.The only problem is that you have to know where to find the discount coupons and how to use them. It happens many a times that you see a box when you are checking out at your favorite online retailer saying, "Enter Coupon Code", and said to yourself, "Whoa, where do I get one of those?"
One problem is that these codes are not usually advertised on the Internet stores. The main purpose of the discounts is to get buyers to come to the sites, so normally they will not tell you about them if you are already there. You need a place to locate the codes before you go shopping. You need to check out the coupon code sites.
These discount coupon codes can offer you anything from ‘$10 off your $50 purchase’ to "Get Free shipping on your $30 order".
Although many of the discounts are for first time buyers, the online retailers have started to offer more deals for returning shoppers. Typically the codes can only be used once per customer. Some stores run multiple concurrent codes and allow each one to be used once.
You will find a wide range of discounts. Codes for $10 off $30, $30 off $150 and the like are quite common. While these are nice discounts, they certainly are not freebies. You will, however occasionally find a dollars off code with no minimum purchase.
Even better than the no minimum purchase are the real deals that can result from combining a coupon code with a big rebate. You can find these combinations yourself if you spend enough time searching. Often, the various coupon code sites will point out the best of these deals.
* How do I redeem a " linked" discount coupon or product?A linked coupon does not have an actual coupon code to activate the promotion, but instead a special link. When you click the link to the online store, you will get the discount automatically when you check out.
* How do I redeem a " coupon code" coupon?
Depending on the merchant, there are a few different places to enter the coupon code. In some cases, the coupon can be entered while in the shopping cart. Other times, the coupon is entered on the order review page prior to checkout. Look around carefully for the coupon "submit" area the first time you purchase from any website.
* What if I don't see any place to put the code?
Check and see if the website has a FAQ (frequently asked questions) page that offers the information. Often times you can find it on their "Customer Service" pages too. If you do not see it anywhere on the site, call and ask the merchant how to use coupon codes on their website.
Usually the merchant will have a page showing how much you are being charged for the merchandise, how much is being discounted because you submitted your discount code, and any shipping fees that may be applied. This should show on an order page before you submit approval of the charges. If you enter the coupon code and do not see the discount on the order review page, do not place the order.
* How do I know if a " linked promotion" is working?
Often times a linked promotion will take you directly to the product that is being promoted at a special price or the page that advertises your discount. If it does not then look for it on your order page before you accept the transaction as a desired purchase.
* Why doesn't the coupon work?
Many times merchants will omit an expiration date so that they can monitor the promotion and discontinue it in the event that it receives more response than they had planned. The online merchants can alter or discontinue any promotion at any time and it is virtually impossible to stay 100 percent on top of what so many merchants are doing with their promotions. If you coupon does not work, it is best to look for another one on this site or any of the other several coupon sites online. Calling the merchant to complain is generally not going to make them honor any discontinued code or link, because it is within their right to expire promotions at anytime.
* Can I use inline coupons in my local stores?
Brick and mortar stores are not obligated to honor online deals unless the promotion specifically states that they will. If you print out the offer and bring it to the store, some stores will honor it anyway as a courtesy to you. It all depends on the deal and who the merchant is, but it never hurts to ask!
* Can I double up on coupon deals by using more than one at time?
Most coupon codes specify that only one promotion can be used per transaction or per item purchased. You can get extra savings however, by looking for a rebate on the item that you purchased with a coupon code. Rebates are fairly plentiful on electronic devices, computers, software and home improvement items. If you can not find one online, Reach the merchant and find out if one is available for the item you wish to purchase.
* This sounds great! But how do I find out about the really good online deals?
One way to find out about deals is to visit the forums of your favorite coupons sites. There is a lot of great information on the boards, but you must act fast. I've purchased a couple of printers, two scanners, an executive office chair, a wireless mouse and keyboard for under $60.00 by watching the forums, finding applicable coupon codes and links and then following up with the rebates.