Shopping. I used to love it. These days I’m sort of a shopping-hater, which is primarily because I am a much more frugal and conscientious spender these days than I ever was in the past. However, this is also because over the years I have become much more aware of the fact that retail stores the world over employ literally hundreds of snaky tactics (one example: upselling) to attempt to get us all to spend more time and money in their stores.
It really annoys me to think that stores (at least the big ones) spend tons of money every year to hire people specifically to figure out how to get me to spend more money. It bothers me to know that everything from shelf placement to lighting is crafted purposely to get me to spend more while I’m shopping. I guess I’m a Scrooge that way. 🙂
Stores are sneaky
Now, I know that many of you are probably screaming at your computers right now “Go shopping with a list!” And that’s sound advice. But still, even if you have a list, have you ever noticed that you sometimes have to look really hard to find the cheapest variety of something at the store? A classic example of this at our local grocery store is green chiles. The hubs and I cook with them a lot. We live just two blocks from the grocery store, so when we are cooking if we need something one of us might walk over there quick. One day I went and they were out. Literally, I could not find any cans of green chiles on the shelf. So we went without them in our meal that night.
The next day the hubs and I went to the store together. This time he led and we walked to the location in the store where he always picks up green chiles. And it was a totally different spot from the spot where I had been buying green chiles. Same aisle, but completely opposite ends of the aisle. He had managed to find the location where the generic cans of green chiles are kept. Whereas I had only seen one brand in one place and assumed that was the only type the store carried. Sneaky!
Enter Amazon
It’s stuff like the green chile madness that makes me hate brick-and-mortar stores. Enter Amazon. Over the years I have been doing more and more shopping on Amazon. Now, I have to admit that I have not yet endeavored into the world of grocery shopping on Amazon, but I think that would be cool some day if it were to become available in my area. I think we’re probably a long way from that though, since right now Amazon doesn’t even have a distributor in our state (which I am totally not complaining about, since it allows us to get away with having no sales tax on our Amazon purchases).
What I buy
These days I am buying dozens of household items on Amazon. In order to get the best price (or at least beat the price you would pay at your local store) you often have to buy in bulk, but as long I know we will use it and it won’t go bad, I am cool with buying in bulk. Examples of everyday household items that I have bought recently on Amazon are bar soap, granola bars, mascara, dog shampoo, cleaning supplies, etc, etc. As long as I don’t need it immediately and I don’t feel it will get messed up in the mail and the price is cheaper, I buy it on Amazon.
But is it always cheaper?
Sometimes the price that I pay on Amazon is almost even with what I would pay at local stores. However, as long as I feel that with the no sales tax factor taken into account I’ll come out ahead, I buy it on Amazon. However, I know that not everyone out there can buy on Amazon without sales tax. Here are three other ways to save money on Amazon purchases:
1) Amazon offers access to vendor coupons (similar to what you might get in a newspaper) on their site that you can “clip.”
2) Use Swagbucks (referral link) as your default search engine and whenever you have enough points, trade them in for Amazon gift cards.
3) Lastly, we have an Amazon.com Rewards Visa, which allows us to accumulate 3X points on all Amazon purchases. You can then turn around and redeem those points for future Amazon.com purchases.
Between all of these things I usually find myself redeeming some rewards, coupons, and/or gift cards with my Amazon purchases as well.
My conclusion?
My conclusion is that I totally love doing a large part of my shopping on Amazon! By doing my shopping that way, it essentially means that we only have to go to Wal-mart about once a month or every other month when we need to buy something that it would probably not be cheaper to buy on Amazon, like liquid laundry detergent. We are buying more things in bulk so we run out less often, which saves time shopping. These days I spend very little time in stores unless I’m buying groceries. It’s totally awesome and a great time-saver.
What do you think? Are you using Amazon or any other websites to buy any household items?
Note: This post contains affiliate links.
Photo: lenetssergey/Depositphotos.com
I love to buy things online, in particular basic clothes and technology.
I have gotten to the point that I actually compare prices online with sites like eBay and Amazon while I’m in a bricks and mortar store!
I’m getting sick of some of the gauging that some retailers feel they can charge.
Mr Ikonz @ Project Ikonz recently posted…Saving money on holiday travel
I’ve done the price comparison while at a store too. Smartphones make it super easy!
My wife and I shop primarily at Target but we do buy some things online. Just this weekend I placed a large order including a laptop bag, backpack, gym bag, and some office stuff. It’s really convenient and I hope that Amazon and other stores continue to beef up their online offerings.
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted…12 Tips for Beginner Couponers
You really can’t beat the convenience! I love not having to leave the house at all and let the shipping service bring it right to our door.
I have never bought food on Amazon but I will give it a look.
I don’t buy many prepared foods so there is not a lot of options for me but when Mr. Bazos gets the milk and veg delivery system sorted out I will happily avoid going to a supermarket every again.
I hate shopping of every kind and only go to stores because I have to.
jane savers @ solving the money puzzle recently posted…My Tax Audit Ended With Me Owing Money
That’s how I am more and more these days. Our local grocery store allows you to place internet orders, but they charge you for that so we haven’t done it.
My AMEX Gold Card came with a free membership to Amazon Prime so I use it quite a bit- usually for things that I don’t want to make a trip to the store for. Shipping is usually free for most items through Prime so it costs the same or less as going to the store.
Holly@ClubThrifty recently posted…How to Survive a Divorce: A Firsthand Account
Nice! We have Prime too but unfortunately we didn’t get it for free! The free shipping is pretty great- we usually wait to place our order until there are enough items to buy that it will all ship for free.
My wife and I just resorted to buying our favorite coffee on Amazon now that our grocery store no longer carries it. I’ve got a feeling that that is going to open the door to a whole lot of other regular everyday things we may end up buying direct from Amazon out of convenience.
MMD recently posted…The Ultimate Guide to How to Have a Tax Free Retirement
You really can’t beat the convenience! We started out with buying just a few things from there too and it has grown over time. I LOVE not having to go to a store to get a lot of things- it’s kind of addictive.
I couldn’t agree more! Using online shopping, including Amazon, helps me stick to inexpensive prices, deals, and prevents me from overspending. Great post – thanks for sharing.
Natalie @thefinancegirl.com recently posted…Obstacles to Wealth
Online retailers have a few tricks that they use to attempt you to get to spend more money, but I don’t think it’s generally as effective as brick and mortar stores. We find the same thing, that we are more easily able to stick to just what we need and it’s certainly more convenient!
I’m a big fan of Amazon and love the convenience, although sadly I do now pay sales tax on my purchases. Those were the good ‘ol days. 🙂 It does make sense to buy bulk on the items that keep and I find that I less distracted by other items, not on my list. I either know exactly what I want or I do some quick comparison shopping and place my order.
Shannon @ The Heavy Purse recently posted…Conquering The Keeping Up with Joneses Mindset
Bummer about the sales tax! I suspect that all states will end up paying sales tax on Amazon purchases eventually, but for now we are enjoying it.
I have to be honest, I have not thought about using Amazon for everyday purchases, but I do have Amazon Prime, so the free shipping makes it more appealing. Plus you would save on the gas that you would spend in the car to get to the store.
Shannon @ Financially Blonde recently posted…Music Mondays – I Will Wait
Good point, I hadn’t thought about the gas. For us all the big stores like Walmart and Target are located pretty far away so I really kind of hate driving all the way there for just a few things. I’d much rather have the shipping service bring it to my door 🙂
I feel the same way and have been meaning to write a post about it forever. Anything that isn’t transit, rent, utilities, or groceries, I buy almost exclusively on Amazon.
Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life recently posted…Survival Job Spotlight: Actress Entrepreneurs
Cool! So we’re not the only ones. It’s so convenient, especially for things that you aren’t sure which store might carry it so you have to go from store to store to look. It’s so much easier to just shop online.
We love to cook with green chilies too!! We do shop at Amazon a lot, mostly because we live out in the country now. It’s SO nice to not have to drive a half hour to get stuff, and then another half hour back. Now it just comes right to the door!
Absolutely! I can totally see how if you live in the country it’s a necessity! What did we do before the internet? Lol
I’m totally with you on this one! Not so much for everyday things, but I refuse to head to the store when we are in a need of a gift or larger items for around the house. I used to work in retail and I KNOW how I used to train my staff, and what their goals were…it’s “sneaky” at it’s best!
With the pairing of Amazon and my Swagbucks earnings, I can get everything I need (gift/household wise) for much less than in store, especially when you factor in that I live in a rural area and am also saving the gas of getting into town to actually shop!
LOOOVE AMAZON:)
I know, Amazon is especially great when shopping for kids because you can select boy or girl and which age and it brings up all kinds of age-appropriate toys and books. It’s made shopping for our nephew, whom we don’t see often, much easier 🙂
I use Amazon a fair amount but generally not for household items. My girlfriend and I are out of the house a fair amount and receiving large parcels can therefore be something of a challenge.
However if I’m considering other purchases I’ll almost always check out Amazon and have found it very handy to have the app on my phone so I check check prices and add things to my cart while I’m out and about!
Rich from FrugalityMagazine.com recently posted…Why I Accepted A Job I Hate (And Why I’m Still There Now)
Excellent! I haven’t used the app much but I’ll check it out.
You really can’t beat a lot of the deals on Amazon, and it’s just so much more convenient. I’ve found if I want to purchase something, that is the first place I will look. Although I did recently get a bill for the sales tax I didn’t have to pay upfront in 2013… not fun, but still not terrible considering the savings!
Ryan @ Impersonal Finance recently posted…clothes don’t equal success
Bummer on the tax bill! Was that a state-specific thing?
Amazon has been a godsend for us, especially since we had our baby. I hate shopping and spending time in stores, so that’s a good by product also.
Syed recently posted…Why you need to collect Points and Miles
Especially when you have a new baby and you’re hurting for sleep! Who wants to go to a store???
Amazon Canada is a lot less enticing than Amazon for the USA. We have less of a variety, often the shipping is super expensive and when we try to shop on Amazon US, it tells us more often than not that the items we want aren’t available to be shipped here. IT drives me nuts. I do buy many of the same things as you do but on Ebay instead.
Daisy recently posted…Dear Nora: How Do I Manage Finances While Travelling Long-Term?
Bummer! That’s really too bad, I wonder if they are working on improving service in Canada.
online shopping is where it is at. I buy online, even from stores 20 miles away, because of teh time and hassle factor. And also the price of gas.
Amazon raises prices on the free shipping items, be careful.
No Nonsense Landlord recently posted…My Eighth Property, my second 4-plex
We have Amazon Prime so we get free 2-day shipping on everything. But even when we did not have Prime I thought the deal was free shipping on any order over $25 (or $35 now that they raised it). I don’t know that there are any specific free shipping items.
I love Amazon and, failing that, Drugstore.com for items. Better prices and more convenient.
Like you, I haven’t really bought much food,but it takes care of a lot of other needs. I’m the secondary on someone’s Prime account, so we get free shipping. Between that and Swagbucks rewards, we’ve saved a ton at Amazon.
Thanks for mentioning Drugstore.com. I haven’t bought much there in the past, but I’ll definitely look into it!