Shipoala.com releases top 10 tips for smarter online shopping

With the festive shopping in full swing and the end of the year around the corner, popular US package forwarding company Shipoala.com has shared a list of 10 useful tips for finding the best deals online and saving big on international shipping.

Keep these practical and useful tips in mind the next time you shop online:

1- Dare to Compare: When searching for your favorite product online, it’s always a good idea to compare the prices across several e-commerce websites. More often than not, you’ll find that products are priced much lower by US retailers in comparison to their European or Middle Eastern editions.

2- Stay Cautious: Use familiar websites and never buy anything online from a site that doesn't have SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption. How can you spot that? Keep an eye out for URLs that start with HTTPS instead of just HTTP. When it comes to using your card, it’s always better to use a credit card, when available, instead of a debit card. Better safe than sorry, right?

3- Timing Is Everything: Many US retailers have special sales and promotions online throughout the year and offer even bigger savings during and near holidays including Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Easter and Independence Day.

4- Dig into The Clearance: Always check the clearance section on a website first. You can usually find some great deals on products that are priced lower than new collections.

5- Read the Reviews: When browsing through the products that you like, scroll down to see the reviews left by customers who have bought the same product in the past. Reviews are a great way to get valuable feedback and help you make a well-rounded decision.

6- Sign Up to Save More: Most retailers will offer an incentive for online shoppers that register as a user on their websites. They usually offer a discount code that you could use on your first purchase or through referral. What are you waiting for, get to registering!

7- Coupons Galore: Before checking out your basket, scroll through the website to find any coupon or promotional codes that you could use to save some money. There are also plenty of bargain hunting websites that offer a list of valid coupon codes such as Retail Me Not, Coupon Cabin, and Ebates.

8- One Package, One Shipment: When using Shipoala.com, keep in mind that you can combine multiple items, meaning you have the option to bunch them all into one package, which helps you cut your shipping costs. Around 95% of Shipoala.com’s customers are using this package service and saving up to 80% on their shipping fees. A combined shipment equals smaller shipment space and weight, which equals money saved! It’s a win, win situation.

9- Try Before You Buy: Have you ever tried on a perfect-fitting pair of jeans at your favorite store only to be disappointed when you find out that that’s it’s overpriced and way out of your budget? Don’t lose hope because chances are you can find the exact same item online at a fraction of the price. Start the search, your pair of jeans is out there waiting for you.

10- Free Shipment within the US: Many US-based websites offer free shipment to a US address and Shipoala.com offers a free membership, which includes a personal address in the US. Think of it as your very own locker or storage unit where you can receive all of your favorite products. Shipoala will notify you as soon as you receive your items, and then you can let them know when and how you want your package(s) shipped to you.

By being a tech-savvy shopper, exploring your options and taking advantage of the benefits of a service like Shipoala.com, online shopping couldn’t be easier or more pocket-friendly. So, what are you waiting for? Start your free membership with Shipoala.com and let the shopping spree begin!