Online shopping in the Philippines has evolved dramatically in recent years, with so-called “shopping holidays” like 1.1. (January 1), 2.2 (February 2), 8.8 (August 8), 11.11 (November 11), and 12.12 (December 12), among others, become some of the most anticipated events on the calendar for many shoppers. These dates mark a season of incredible discounts and promotions, such as flash sales and vouchers, from e-commerce sites.
A shopping holiday also provides excellent opportunities to score the best deals—but you get even more value out of them when you commit to shopping wisely. To that end, here are some tips to help you get the best value out of these online shopping extravaganzas:
1) Plan Your Purchases and Payment Channels in Advance
Before sale day arrives, make a list of items you intend to buy. This helps you avoid impulse purchases and ensures you focus on necessities or planned gifts. Add these items to your cart ahead of time so you can check them out as soon as the discounts go live. You can also bookmark or add them to your wish list.
Aside from queuing your desired items ahead of time, be sure to add the best credit card for online shopping Philippines e-commerce sites accept to your list of payment sources. This way, you’re ready to finalize your purchases in a single tap on the big day. Consider signing up for the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card by Maya, an excellent card for racking up rewards on online purchases as well as in-store buys from Landers Superstore.
2) Set a Budget and Prioritize the Items You Want to Buy
It’s easy to get carried away during these sales with the abundance of deals and discounts available. Steer clear of this rookie mistake by setting a spending limit beforehand for an upcoming shopping holiday.
When deciding on how much you want to spend, consider shipping fees and other potential costs that can be included in your shopping budget. This approach helps you stay disciplined and ensures you don’t regret your purchases later.
3) Make It a Point to Shop Early and Follow Through With Your Plans
It’s a well-known fact that most platforms launch their sales at midnight. Seasoned shoppers understand that the best deals often disappear quickly, and as such, they often wait patiently for the clock to strike 12 to maximize their perks and discounts.
To seize the opportunity, it’s best for you to do the same. The day before a big sale, take a nice nap, but be sure to set your alarm a few minutes before the day officially ends. This way, you can wake up on time and get a better chance of securing limited-stock items and claiming exclusive vouchers.
4) Compare Prices Before Finalizing Your Transactions
Not all discounts are as great as they seem. Some items may have inflated “original” prices to make the discount appear larger. The good news is that you can use price-tracking tools or compare prices on multiple platforms to ensure you’re getting a genuine deal on the items you’re eyeing.
5) Collect and Stack Vouchers for Better Discounts
Maximize your savings by collecting as many vouchers as possible. Look for platform-wide vouchers, store-specific discounts, and free shipping coupons, for example. On many platforms, you can stack these vouchers during checkout to achieve significant savings on shopping holidays. Just like you would when shopping in-store, check the voucher validity and claim these vouchers early before they run out.
6) Look for Bank or Credit Card Promotions
It’s also not out of the ordinary for banks and credit card providers to partner with e-commerce platforms and offer additional perks during sales events. These include cashback, discounts, or interest-free installment plans. Before the sale, check if your bank or credit card issuer offers promos, then link your card to the e-commerce platform for the most seamless checkout experience.
7) Join Rewards or Membership Programs
Becoming a member of a platform’s loyalty program can give you access to exclusive deals and additional reward points. These points can be used to offset future purchases, adding to your overall savings. You may also be able to enjoy e-commerce membership perks, like free shipping or premium customer service.
8) Utilize Free Shipping Offers to Cut Costs
Shipping fees can add up and eat into your savings, especially for multiple items. When possible, take advantage of free shipping vouchers. You can also try to meet the minimum spend requirements to qualify for free delivery. Grouping your purchases from the same seller can also help you save on shipping costs.
9) Pay Attention to Flash Sales and Mark Them on Your Calendar
Flash sales offer time-limited discounts on select items and are usually announced hourly during sales and shopping events. If you’ve been eyeing a particular product for some time, set reminders for flash sale schedules that include these items. You can also enable notifications on your chosen e-commerce app to stay updated. Be quick, as these deals are often gone in seconds.
10) Follow Brands and Sellers Before the Big Day
Many stores reward their followers with exclusive discounts or vouchers. Before a sale date, why not follow your favorite brands or sellers on your chosen e-commerce platform? This way, you can receive immediate notifications about their promotions. Some sellers also offer early access to their best deals for their followers.
Preparation is the key to unlocking the best deals during these much anticipated shopping holidays and other special online shopping events. With the help of the tips listed above, you’ll not only save money but also enjoy a more rewarding and stress-free shopping experience once a shopping holiday begins.