All the great deals are on Amazon, but you’re living in a country 8,000 miles away from the United States. That means you can add all cheap items to your cart, but in the end, pay higher than what you’re supposed to save, thanks to the hefty shipping fee.
Every non-American – and even Americans themselves – are bummed about shipping fees. According to a survey by RetailMeNot, a whopping 82% of American consumers prefer free shipping.
But aside from that, the prices of the products can be a burden, too. If you want to be loyal to a brand, for example, it isn’t always easy to keep buying from them if their prices are beyond your budget.
Thankfully, these online shopping conundrums have easy solutions. Below are the hacks to save money when shopping from your favorite international e-commerce site.
1. Use a Package Forwarding Service
If you want to buy from Amazon then ship to the Philippines, you don’t necessarily have to rely on the e-commerce shipping service. Instead, use a package forwarding service, who will receive your products on your behalf.
Here’s how it works: Go to Amazon, add items to your cart, and complete your order. Amazon will then deliver your package to the address provided by the package forwarding service, who will then send your orders to your doorstep.
You only pay them the shipping fee, which is cheaper than what you would’ve spent on Amazon. That is because package forwarding services mass ship to earn discounts and better rates from shipping companies.
2. Hit the Minimum Shipping Fee
For buyers based in the U.S., Amazon offers free shipping for orders of $25 and above. But if your cart doesn’t reach $25, but only, say, $23, you don’t have to double your order to avoid the shipping fee. Instead, look for the”add-on” items, which are a bunch of cheap and practical products such as a toothbrush, razor, and other essentials. Fill your missing $2 with those, and get free shipping.
3. Use Online Wallet Offers
If you shop on e-commerce apps such as Lazada and Shopee, load your “wallet” and use it to earn great benefits and discounts. You’ll barely have to pay cash on every order as long as your “wallet” is loaded generously.
4. Use the Right Credit Card
Regular Amazon customers can get rewards through their Amazon Rewards Visa Card. You’ll get a $50 bonus after signing up for it. In turn, you’ll earn three points of every order, and you can exchange it for free shipping, exclusive access to flash sales, and other perks.
Other e-commerce sites also offer a similar benefit. Just find out what credit card companies are they partnered with. You can also check out their loyalty programs and see how you can earn your money back when shopping.
5. Check Out Amazon Outlet
Amazon already has heaps of sales and deals, but you’ll find even more on Amazon Outlet. Some items are discounted as high as 75% off! The range of products is impressive, too, from practical school items to electronics. Just be quick, because stocks are limited.
Don’t forget about these hacks next time you shop on your favorite international e-commerce site. Be careful, though, because once you experience cutting down your costs, you might develop an online shopping addiction.
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