25 Great Ways to Be a Better Online Shopper

9. Shop online outlets and clearance racks

Many big-name retailers have online clearance or overstock sections that aren’t obvious from their homepages. JCPenney.com has a vast “Clearance” section buried under its “Sales” tab. Click the “Sale” tab at L.L.Bean for twice-a-day markdowns. QVC offers online-only deals, hot picks and lunchtime specials under “Today’s Special Value & Deals.” 

Across the internet, look for retailer sites labeled “outlet” or “factory store”  for similar savings. “These are often better than coupon codes, but fewer people know they exist,” says Bodge.

10. Garden shopping, reimagined

Here’s something you may not expect: You can buy live plants, seedlings and soil online — and not just from nurseries and garden centers. “These are real people listing their homegrown plants on eBay and Etsy,” says Collier. Some are hobbyists, others are retired horticulturists. You’ll find rooted succulents, heirloom tomato starters, rare pothos vines and more. 

“It’s completely legal since sellers have to follow state agricultural rules, so everything is approved for shipping,” says Collier, adding that it’s a lovely way to expand your garden without leaving home.

11. Use chatbots to haggle

Those little “chat with us!” pop-ups aren’t solely for customer service complaints. A surprising number of retailers will offer discounts, especially furniture or clothing sites like Wayfair or Lands’ End — if you ask their chatbots for them. Try: “Hi there, do you have any current discount promo codes I could use?”

Automated chat agents can also help match lower prices found at other retailers. They may even extend return dates beyond the standard return periods. “Think of it as the modern version of chatting up the store clerk for a deal or better service,” Bodge says. 

12. Don’t be afraid of eBay

It isn’t some Wild West auction site anymore — eBay is “one of the best-kept secrets for getting deals on brand-new or barely used items,” says Collier, who wrote eBay for Dummies — especially for things like designer clothing, home goods and collectibles. “I bought my mother-of-the-bride dress on eBay for under $200, and it was a top-name designer brand,” she says.

One thing many shoppers don’t know is that eBay’s money-back guarantee protects every purchase. If the item doesn’t arrive or doesn’t match the description, you’re entitled to a full refund. (Still, read product descriptions carefully before making purchases.) Bonus: Many sellers are retirees, hobbyists or small-business owners, so you’re often supporting individuals, not big-box stores.

13. Load up your cart and walk away

This one’s sneakily effective: Put something in your online cart, but don’t check out — close the browser and go on with your day. If you’re logged into your loyalty account, many retailers will send you an email in a day or two offering a discount to lure you back. Stores like Sit ’n Sleep, Lululemon, Brooklinen and Vans are known for this. It’s the polite version of playing hard to get.

14. Consider buying refurbished products (but look for warranties)

Buying used doesn’t mean rolling the dice if you shop smart. “Refurbished tech is one of the best ways to save,” says Bodge, “but only if it comes with a warranty.” Major retailers like Amazon, Apple, Best Buy and Target offer certified refurbished programs that include money-back guarantees. You’ll often find refurbished tablets, headphones and smartwatches for 20 percent to 40 percent off the price of a new product.

Resale platforms like Poshmark, ThredUp and The RealReal often offer great deals on used clothing and accessories, but read product descriptions and return policies carefully. “I prefer to buy used clothing in person,” Bodge says, “but if it’s online, do your homework first.” Bottom line: Only buy secondhand when it comes with peace of mind.

15. Be a skeptic

Surprise, surprise: That $20 espresso machine in your Facebook feed might be a scam. “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is,” says Bodge. When you see an advertisement on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or X, take a moment to look more closely at the retailer’s website. Is the return policy clear? Is there a phone number where you can contact customer service? Fake stores often use URLs that mimic legitimate ones, like walm7art.com instead of walmart.com. Red flags like sloppy grammar or blurry photos are signs to walk away. 

Bodge once got burned with a surprise $48 shipping fee from a company she had never heard of. So stick to stores you trust. If you’re unfamiliar with the company, check reviews on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau.

Consumer expert Woroch says to avoid shopping on any site if the URL doesn’t start with “https.” “The ‘s’ means the site is secured, and your financial information is less likely to be compromised by sites set up fraudulently to grab your money,” she says.

16. Know how to shop for what you see on TV

Ever see a sconce in a home renovation show, or a jacket a character’s wearing on a sitcom, and think, “Where can I get that?” You don’t have to guess. “Use Google Lens,” Collier says.  

Here’s how: Pause the show and open the Google app on your phone. Tap the camera icon in the search bar and point it at the item. Google Lens will scan the image and, more often than not, show you where the product — or something similar — is sold online. “It’s perfect for home decor, fashion or gadget buying,” Collier says.

17. Don’t get seduced by discounts alone

When scouring the internet for deals, time spent often equals money saved, but only if the item is actually worth buying. For tech products, double-check the model number, release year and return policy before you check out. A great discount isn’t so great if you wind up disliking the product but can’t send it back. “Most clearance or final sale items aren’t returnable, even if they arrive damaged,” Ginty points out.

If the retailer’s return window is short or if you’d have to pay for return shipping, make sure the deal is worth it.

18. Embrace artificial intelligence

AI is becoming a useful shopping tool. “I use the AI shopping assistant built into Instagram,” says Bodge. “I can ask it, ‘Is this a good weekend to buy sneakers?’ or ‘What’s the outlook for laptop prices over the next few months?’”  

You can also compare prices and get product recommendations using ChatGPT, Google Shopping in AI mode or Bing’s built-in AI tool. Be specific: “What are the most reliable cordless vacuums under $150?” Bodge says these AI shopping tools are still improving, but “they’re already saving me hours of clicking around.”

19. Choose memberships wisely

Subscription programs often offer enticing perks. The trick is, you need to use them to make them worthwhile.  

Amazon Prime might be worth the $139 annual fee if you regularly take advantage of its free two-day shipping, Prime Video, Amazon Fresh or other perks. But if you only shop on Amazon a few times a year and don’t stream shows or music on the site, you may not be getting your money’s worth. The same goes for Walmart+, Target Circle 360 and other retail memberships. “Don’t assume it’s saving you money,” says Bodge. “Track how often you shop and whether you’re really using the extras.”

20. Consider getting a password manager

Shopping online securely requires strong passwords. But remembering dozens of different passwords can feel impossible. That’s where a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password or LastPass comes in.   

Password managers save your login information, fill in forms automatically and keep your passwords protected. Most password managers come with a subscription fee. LastPass, for example, has monthly plans that start at $3 a month and $4 for families. Other popular brands include Keeper Security and Dashlane.

21. Embrace the world of digital coupons

You don’t need to be an extreme couponer to save money while shopping online — you just need to know where to look. Sites like RetailMeNot, CouponCabin and store-specific promo pages (like Home Depot’s Special Offers) compile valid discount codes. And here’s an underused trick: Check a product’s reviews or Q&A section, where shoppers sometimes leave comments like “I used SAVE20 at checkout!”

You can also search Google using a phrase like “Sephora promo code June 2025 site:Reddit.com” to find real, user-tested codes from deal forums. 

22. Beware of “Buy Now, Pay Later” pitfalls

Installment payment apps like Affirm, Afterpay and Klarna may seem appealing, especially when making big purchases. These “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) services make splitting payments easy. But be careful: “It’s easy to lose track” of when payments are due, Ginty cautions, especially if you use BNPL programs frequently.

A single missed payment can not only trigger late fees but also damage your credit. So use BNPL programs sparingly — and set calendar reminders for installments so you don’t miss payments.

23. Shop your way to free shipping

Many stores will waive shipping fees if you spend at least a certain amount, typically $50 or $100. But read the fine print, as some retailers quietly change the minimum order amount for free shipping over time or require a paid subscription to unlock perks. If you’re being asked to pay $20 a month for free shipping, make sure it’s worth it.

You can also try ShopRunner, which offers free two-day shipping at stores like Bloomingdale’s, Chico’s and Staples. 

24. Use store pickup to save a few bucks

If you’re shopping at Best Buy, Target, Walmart or a pharmacy like CVS, consider placing your order online and choosing the free in-store or curbside pickup option. You’ll avoid shipping fees and the temptation to wander the aisles for things you don’t need, while still nabbing online-only discounts.

Retailers will email or text you when your order is ready for pickup, sometimes within a few hours. “It’s fast, it’s free, and you still get to use digital coupons or rewards,” Bodge says.

25. Don’t forget to look for senior discounts

Although many retailers have quietly retired their perks for older shoppers, some still offer them. TheSeniorList keeps a frequently updated directory of companies offering senior discounts. Some stores, like Kohl’s and Ross, offer discounts to older customers on specific days (usually midweek). Others, like Amazon, offer cheaper memberships for those enrolled in government assistance programs, which include many older adults.

You’ll also find senior discounts at CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Goodwill and even Valvoline. “If you don’t take a moment to seek these out, you’re leaving potential savings on the table,” Bodge says. “And you don’t have to be over 65. I’ve seen discounts on everything from clothing to wireless service to travel for folks 55 and up.”