RoxanneHow many times have you ditched an online deal at checkout because the shipping costs ruined it? You’ve probably done it at least once, as some shipping costs can get pricey depending on the product.
Does this mean you’re better off shopping at the store? Of course not, as here are some ways to bypass those shipping costs that you probably have never heard of:
1. Meet the minimum.
Sometimes it pays to buy more than one item from an online store, especially if you want to score free shipping. If you want proof, try visiting some online stores today. When you do, you’ll probably run into popups advertising free shipping if you spend a certain amount. Or you’ll see that message pinned to the top of the home page.
When should you avoid this tip? If there’s nothing else you want from that store, as it would only lead to unnecessary spending.
2. Call the store.
Here’s a free shipping tip most people have probably never tried, but it can absolutely work.
Why? Because online stores have so much competition, especially smaller ones.
Call up a store and ask if you can get free shipping, and they may say yes, as long as it’s not a massive chain like Walmart or Target.
3. Find out who ships for free.
Wouldn’t it be great if you had a list of all the online stores that offer free shipping? If so, you wouldn’t have to waste time with the ones that don’t.
Luckily, there is such a list, and you can find it at FreeShipping.org.
4. Share your email address.
Many stores have email lists as a way to keep in touch with customers. Sign up for these lists, and you’ll never miss deals on free shipping and other promotions.
5. Become a site member.
Is it worth it to pay a monthly fee for free shipping? With something like Amazon Prime, the answer is yes if you make a lot of purchases. And not only will you enjoy free shipping with a Prime membership, but it will also arrive at your door quickly.
Is Amazon Prime the only site of its kind? No, as ShopRunner is another option for those seeking free shipping.
6. Get it shipped to your store.
If shipping to your door isn’t free, you could take the ship-to-store route when buying online from Walmart, Best Buy, and other large sites. Just remember to factor in your transportation costs, especially with the rising gas prices.
7. Apply a free shipping promo code.
Promo codes are digital coupons that can help you save on shipping or the overall price of a product.
To find free shipping promo codes, go to a site like RetailMeNot or CouponCabin and do a search. You can also use search engines and enter the site’s name plus “free shipping” or use a browser extension like Honey to find codes automatically.
