If you still have some holiday shopping to do, today's the day to do it -- more than 250 Canadian retailers are offering free shipping (and various other discounts) to those buying products that need to be delivered by Christmas Eve.
Some of the retailers who have signed up for Free Shipping Day on Dec. 12 include Roots, Peoples Jewellers and SportChek (among many others). You can see the full roster of stores to shop at at freeshippingday.ca.
And to up your chances of successful shopping, check out some of these great online buying tips from the experts over at AirMiles.ca.
Get The Most From Online Shopping
Make A List. Check It Twice. It’s an awful feeling to forget someone! There is a selection of apps available to help with shopping list organization, but good old pen and paper work too.
Do Your Research. Before you start shopping, go online to price compare and get ideas. If you find the item for cheaper on another website, make sure you check the shipping costs before purchasing. Some websites may have higher shipping costs and suddenly the deal isn’t as amazing.
Review Return Policies. If you’re worried about sizes or a gift not being quite right, don’t. Stores are making it easier than ever to return items — just be sure to read their policies before you buy. In many cases, it’s as simple as mailing it back for an exchange. Don’t forget to get a gift receipt!
Look For Sales And Deals. Online is the easiest place to find sales and deals. Many stores have their flyers online so spend a bit of time digging around. Sign up for your favourite retailers’ online alerts or newsletters to learn about upcoming sales and deals.
Reward Yourself. Give and receive! Shop smart and earn valuable reward miles on spending. Going online to a website such as airmilesshops.ca enables AIR MILES Collectors to earn reward miles at stores where they wouldn’t normally be able to earn.
Check For First-Time Shopping Deals. If you are a first time shopper or student, email customer service to see if they can offer you any deals. Some stores offer up to 30 per cent off for students and first time shoppers!
Don’t Rush. Take time to make sure what you're buying is what you actually want. Check for online promo codes and make sure you apply them at check-out. Read your total carefully during check out before paying so you can ensure any discounts have been applied and you know the total price that you’ll be charged including taxes, shipping or any other costs.
Consider Paying With A Credit Card. Some credit cards offer additional purchase protection, extended warranties and liability protection from fraudulent purchases.
Look For Shipping Deals And In-Store Pick Up. Shipping is often a flat fee so try and consolidate your online shopping by visiting stores with a wide selection. Indigo and Macy’s offer great gifts for a range of people. Certain stores like Sears and The Source allow people to shop online and visit a store location of their choice to pick up their purchased items.
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