Back-to-School Shopping Online? Here’s What You Should Know

(ARA) – The back-to-school shopping season can be hectic for many parents. It’s no wonder that online shopping has become so popular when you can shop from home, work, and now—thanks to Blackberries and cell phones—even on the go. But with new shopping sites popping up every day, it can be easy for you and your money to get lost in the virtual world.

Here are some smart tips for online back-to-school shopping that will leave money in your wallet and a smile on your face:

Read the Reviews

Before you buy anything, read the reviews! Just because a product is flashy and has a high ticket price does not mean that it works well or even at all. Trust your fellow shoppers, and let their advice guide you to the perfect product.

Compare Prices

Comparison shopping sites are great for shoppers that already know exactly what they want and are willing to spend the time searching multiple merchants for the best price. These sites search hundreds of online merchants to find the lowest price on your chosen item.

Think With Your Head, Not Your Heart

How many times have you fallen so hard for a hot pair of shoes, the newest MP3 player, or even a 12-cup coffee maker that you overlooked the unnecessarily high sticker price in order to get the object of your affection, only to feel guilty later? Next time, stop yourself before you add the item to your virtual cart. Take a couple of hours or even a couple of days to think about your purchase—do you really want it? Do you really need it? If the answer is still “yes,” you’ll be able to make the purchase with a clear conscience.

Search for Online Coupons

Before making your final purchase, be sure to check out an online couponing site to save extra cash. Online couponing sites provide deals that you may not find in-store or even on the Web site of a particular merchant. For example, CouponCabin.com (www.couponcabin.com) is updated throughout the day and provides deals from more than 950 merchants.

Save Money Even after You’ve Spent It

Most of the major online retailers have a customer protection policy that allows shoppers to ask for a refund of the price difference if the price drops shortly after you purchased the item. Some online merchants will even beat a competitor’s price. This requires some follow-up on your part, but it will pay off in the end - literally.

Online shopping may be an open frontier, but you don’t have to be afraid. With these tips in mind, you and your wallet can tame any shopping Web site.

Courtesy of ARAcontent