How to Never Pay for Shipping

The amount of holiday shopping online increased over the last few years, even for Black Friday. It’s a convenient way to fulfill those Christmas wish lists, but the cost of shipping does add up. With minimum purchases increasing in order to enjoy free shipping, what’s a consumer to do? Worry not, frugal friends; there are ways around this. Below are just a few tips on how to never pay for shipping:

Call and ask

Yes, believe it or not, you can just call and ask for free shipping coupons. If you are not a phone person, try a live chat option with a customer representative, if applicable. While you may not always be successful, few people realize that they do have the option to reach out to retailers for coupons. If they know free shipping is the way to guarantee the sale from you, you might luck out. Just make sure to be polite and honest. A rude customer taking this route is less likely to snag a deal of any kind.

Ship to store

As you shop online, consider selecting “ship to store” instead of having it delivered to your house. When an item is shipped to the closest brick-and-mortar to you, you’ll often score free shipping. Although it is much more convenient to have it sent directly to your home, you’ll end up paying more than you would if you just drove to pick it up.

Pay attention online

Fine print can be missed when you are on a mission. Within the smaller print, though, is where you may find information about free shipping. For example, Target is currently offering free standard delivery on most items until December 21 when you select “holiday shipping” at checkout. In addition, they are offering free shipping and delivery on return items as well until January 1. Good to know in case you’re buying for a picky person.

Try web extensions

Another tip on how to never pay for shipping includes web extensions. These extensions, such as honey for Google Chrome, search the web for coupons for you to use when you checkout online. You might get extra lucky and find a code that not only gives you free shipping but also a discount on your total order.

Follow stores online

It pays to follow the stores you’re shopping from on their social media accounts. Businesses want their audience to follow them online and stay connected. Because of this, they will often provide deals and discounts you can only learn about from their pages. Instagram, Twitter and Facebook are all utilized in this way. You can also subscribe to their email list for last minute promotions. Before you click “checkout,” find the company on these platforms first to see what they are offering to consumers.

Search the web

If you missed Free Shipping Day, you can still do some research online to find some codes. RetailMeNot.com and Freeshipping.org are two perfect examples of online gems that are a consumer’s best friend during the holiday season. Even if you did not utilize one of these sites, you could still run a search on Google for free shipping coupons. The results will be seemingly endless.

These are just a few ways on how to never pay for shipping, especially during the holiday season. With a little extra time dedicated to your online shopping, you’ll be able to save a few extra dollars.

What would you add to the list?