We’ve all been there—you’re scrolling through your favorite online store, and suddenly, you see the perfect item. Your heart skips a beat, your fingers hover over the “Buy Now” button, and before you know it, you’re entering your credit card details. But wait! Before you go through with that purchase, pause for a moment. Is this really the best deal? Are you sure it’s what you need? The truth is, a little bit of research can save you money, time, and regret. You might be shopping for clothes, electronics, home decor or even groceries – but taking just a few extra steps can help you avoid scams, hidden fees, and impulse purchases. Here are 10 things you should always do before checking out online!
Featured Image Credit: VaDrobotBO /Depositphotos.com.
Compare Prices on Different Websites
Just believing you have found a bargain does not guarantee that you actually have. Retailers typically offer the same products at varying prices – some stores offer price-matching services to customers who find lower prices elsewhere. So explore some competitor sites before purchasing from the first website you find. Google Shopping, Honey & PriceGrabber provide quick price comparisons between multiple stores in seconds.
Also, check on major retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Target – they may sell similar items at reduced prices or even offer better shipping options.
Search for Coupons and Discount Codes
Always check for discount codes before finalizing your purchase. Some retailers provide promo codes but don’t actively advertise them. Before you click “buy,” take a few seconds to look up “[store name] promo code” or “[store name] discount” on Google to find potential savings. You can also check sites like RetailMeNot, Honey, and Coupons.com. Also, check if the store offers a discount for first-time buyers or email list sign-ups (usually 10-20% off).
Many retailers also give additional discounts for app users compared to website shoppers, so you should verify this before completing your transaction.
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Read the Reviews—Especially the Bad Ones
The product may look flawless in the pictures, but what are the real consumers saying about the products? Make sure to review all customer feedback with extra attention to those 1-star and 2-star reviews. Look out for common complaints, like poor quality or cheap materials, products that may not fit properly because they are either too large or too small, shipping issues (never arrived, took months), and items not looking like the photos.
If several people report the same negative feedback, then you should probably reconsider your purchase.
Check the Return Policy (Before You Regret It!)
All online stores do not offer customer-friendly return policies. Some online stores have high return fees, some provide only store credit, and some have no return policy at all.
Before buying, make sure you know how many days you have to return it, whether returns are free or if you need to pay for shipping, or whether you will receive a refund or only store credit. When you shop at a store with a “final sale” policy, remember that you cannot return items after purchase.
Verify the Website’s Security
Many websites online appear genuine but turn out to be scams. Before entering your credit card details, do a quick security check. Make sure the URL starts with “https://” (the “s” means secure) and check the address bar for a padlock symbol to confirm website security. Do not use websites that show frequent pop-ups and strange advertisements or ask for uncommon payment methods.
Prices that appear unbelievably low such as designer handbags for $20 usually indicate a scam. Choose well-established retailers for shopping and search online for any feedback about the website before making a purchase.
Factor in Shipping Costs & Delivery Time
That $10 offer becomes less appealing once you add the $15 shipping fee! Before deciding on a purchase always make sure to review the complete price which includes both taxes and shipping charges.
Also, look at the estimated delivery time. Items that ship from overseas destinations may take several weeks or months to arrive. Many sellers from platforms such as eBay, AliExpress or Wish often do not disclose that your package will be shipped from another continent. If you need it by a certain date—like a gift or holiday item—make sure it will arrive on time.
Look for Cashback Opportunities
Did you know that you have a chance to earn money while doing your shopping? Cashback sites such as Rakuten, TopCashback and Swagbucks reward you with a percentage of your purchase total just for shopping through their links.
Some credit cards also provide cashback rewards when shopping online, so you should review your card benefits before making a purchase. Those savings may seem small per order, but they accumulate to a significant amount over time.
Check If There’s a Better Version of the Product
Take a moment to think about whether this product is the best version of what you need before you click “buy.” Sometimes, a quick search can reveal a better-reviewed product for the same price, a newer model with more features & a higher-quality brand with better durability.
You can check expert review sites such as Wirecutter for electronics or TechRadar for appliances and Beautypedia for beauty products to verify your purchase decisions.
Double-Check the Size, Color, or Model
This point seems obvious, but many people continue to overlook it. Before checking out, carefully review things like clothing sizes (some brands have their own sizing charts), phone model (for example, there is a big difference between iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro), & color variations (the “black” bag you see might actually be navy).
If the product has a size chart, always check it. Spending a few extra seconds checking this saves you from the inconvenience of returning an incorrect item.
Sleep on It—Especially for Big Purchases!
When you plan to spend but an expensive product or products, don’t rush. Add the item to your cart, then leave the page and sleep on it. When you check back in the morning, you’ll either still want the product or realize that you won’t need it at all.
Bonus tip: If you leave items in your cart for a day or two, many retailers will send you a discount code. So taking your time before finalizing purchases can actually save you money.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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