Best UK Websites for Finding Deals Online

It sounds too good to be true doesn't it? How can any website give you free money? Well, a few years ago somebody started a website that gave links to all the online shops which pay for banner ads and when members of the site clicked those links to visit the shops they split their commission with the member. Fast forward a few years and similar websites now have so many members that retailers deal directly with them and a lot of money is exchanged.

While there are a number of similar cashback websites based in the UK, they all differ for a number of reasons and many people prefer to use more than one. Some sites work very hard trying to get the best rates (even employing people to do nothing but speak to retailers) while others are happy to little. Obviously the sites with the most members are in the best position to negotiate with retailers.

Most cashback sites pay year from a month to three months after your purchase straight into your bank account, or in the form of gift vouchers for a variety of retailers.

Before using a specific cashback site for a larger purchase a bit of research could get you a lot of extra cashback. A very helpful tool to help you find the best rate of cashback for a specific retailer is coming soon at www.comparethecashback.com.

My favourite three cashback websites are:

www.rpoints.com - a site with a huge range of retailers and a well established community based in it's forums. A feature I believe is unique to Rpoints is it's promoter bonus. If you find a bargain item at one of it's retailers you can post a special link in the forum (or anywhere else on the web) and for everybody who uses that link to make a purchase you will receive 10% of the amount of cashback they receive. Nice!

www.greasypalm.co.uk - was an early UK cashback site which continues to be one of the best. Rates offered are not always as high as Quidco but as they give you £7 for each friend you refer it is possible to quite nicely. The community aspect of Greasypalm is limited but they do have a feature rewarding you for sharing deals you find with other members.

www.quidco.com - is billed as "the web's cashback cooperative". This means that they do not take a percentage off the top of your earnings like the other cashback sites - just a £5 membership fee once per year (which is taken from your first payment). The community side of this site is poor (no forum) but there are regular, generous, competitions.

There are a number of UK websites giving information about bargains and deals. I'm going to list four of my favourites here.

www.rpoints.com - as well as being a great cashback site (already mentioned) has a very well supported forum which lists deals available from their retailers. This forum is particularly busy because Rpoints reward their members for posting deals.

www.hotukdeals.com - is presented in a simple manner, similar to a blog and lists a huge variety of bargains. The site also has a decent forum.

www.moneysavingexpert.com - the website of Martin Lewis, a journalist who specialises in writing articles and reporting on money saving. His website is filled with very well written articles about how to get the most out of your money. At present featured are articles about cashback credit cards, cheap or free flights and the best bank accounts. The site also has a busy forum which includes user submitted bargains and even a section for freebies.

Wouldn't it be great if you could find the best UK price for the latest DVD? Or for the exact model of Sony TV you've saved for? Well there are websites to do just that!

www.kelkoo.co.uk - is a price comparison website owned by Yahoo. It covers a wide range of items but can't beat specialised comparison sites for DVDs, CDs and games.

www.find-dvd.co.uk - compares prices for DVDs, Games, Books and Electrical products.