Internet Shopping Secrets Revealed

Have you noticed that nearly every time you are on the check out page of an item you are purchasing online, there is a box that says "Insert Coupon Code" or "Enter Promotional Code"? Doesn't it bother you when you don't have a code? That little box can save you some bucks if you know how to find the code and I'm gonna give you the secrets to finding coupon codes right now!

#1- Many e-commerce websites are posting their codes directly on their website these days. Go directly to the website you want to purchase from and search the site for coupon codes. Chances are that code may be the best deal the company is offering at the time. If you are not satisfied that is the best deal or the site does not have a coupon code listed then proceed to #2.

#2- Enter the URL of the e-commerce site you want to buy from, for this example I'll use Circuit City.com (be sure to type in www.circuitcity.com), and the words "coupon code" or "promotional code" on your Internet browser's search bar; you know Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc. Look at each search result to make sure it is an actual URL to the site you want. You may find a code in those search results that comes directly from the e-tailer that you can use to save money. I was looking for a Circuit City code and I found one that was for 10% off if your purchase was $249.00 and up. Always check the expiration date which should be there on the page somehwere. (Most coupons will have restrictions and expiration dates).

#3- Sign up for the newsletter emails from the companies you have purchased from or want to purchase from. Of course you are going to use that Hotmail account you set up just for shopping, right? The emails from many companies usually have promo codes in them. They use introductory codes to attract new customers and to test new products by offering coupon codes. The key to saving money on the Internet is to not shop impulsively. With being patient and doing a little detective work it will pay off!

#4- Ask and you shall receive! Email the company directly and ask them for a coupon code. Especially if you are a regular customer and have an account number they can reference. Tell them you want to try a out a new product or make a large purchase and the coupon would help you out. First time customers may be able to get a code as well. You might be pleasantly surprised to receive a reply with a coupon code!

#5- If you do want to check out a coupon code website, then I recommend CouponCode.com. They update the codes as they change and they don't make you sign up to see their information. They also have a link to a comparison shopping site that is helpful for pricing items. The site is also very well organized so it is easy to find what you are looking for.

CouponCode.com- This is my personal favorite coupon site. They have the most up to date coupons and promotions available

Scroll down to check out my Links Plexo of Coupon Code websites you can vote for!

Knowing about cookies is very helpful when it comes to Internet shopping. Read on and I'll tell you why.
(All of this information comes from webopedia.com)

Cookies:

Definition of a cookie: A message given to a Web browser by a Web server. The browser stores the message in a text file. The message is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server.

Purpose of cookies: The main purpose of cookies is to identify users and possibly prepare customized Web pages for them.

When you enter a Web site using cookies, you may be asked to fill out a form providing such information as your name and interests. This information is packaged into a cookie and sent to your Web browser which stores it for later use. The next time you go to the same Web site, your browser will send the cookie to the Web server. The server can use this information to present you with custom Web pages. So, for example, instead of seeing just a generic welcome page you might see a welcome page with your name on it.

Types of Cookies:

Session cookie-
Is also called a transient cookie and is stored in temporary memory and is not retained after the browser is closed. Session cookies do not collect information from your computer. They typically will store information in the form of a session identification that does not personally identify the user.

Peristent cookie-
Also called a permanent cookie or a stored cookie is stored on your hard drive until it expires or until you delete the cookie. Persistent cookies are set with expiration dates. These cookies are used to collect identifying information about the user, such as Web surfing behavior or user preferences for a specific Web site.
Learn more about cookies and how to remove them on webopedia.com

Now that you know what a cookie is you have to know the sneaky ways some websites will use them to get you to pay more for a product.

If you return to the Web page of an item you have visited before and you notice the price is higher, well that is the sneaky practice of using cookies that track your interest in an item as an opportunity to get more money for it.
What you have to do is delete your cookies which may work or use another computer to buy the item at the lower price.

Photo Papers, Inks, Mats, etc!

I have researched many websites and these are the sites that I found to be the best in terms of price, selection, quality and shipping time.

Buy.com
Free Shipping on most items, seriously!

The links below are the type of websites you should sign up for their newsletter to receive promo codes by email. Also try emailing them if you have an account and ask for a code to try a new product or if you plan on placing a large order. If you don't ask, you don't get!

Provantage.com

Clearbags.com

Atlex.com

Matshop.com

Red River Paper

This site is awesome! You'll want to bookmark this one!
Deal News.com

B & B Electronics

This company is one of the largest coupon mailing companies in the country. They have coupons on their website that you can print out and take to a store or business in your area.

Check it out:

Valpak.com