The web—so many stores, so many deals.
According to an October 2005 ACNielsen report, approximately 627 million people worldwide shop online. Chances are, if you’re reading this, you are one of them. Some of the benefits of online shopping include the convenience factor, competitive prices, exclusive deals and the ability to compare prices between stores with the click of a button. The drawback? Shipping fees and having to wait for your item to arrive. Customers also have to trust their gut and make purchases without trying things on or testing things out as they can in a retail store. But as online retailers become more attuned to customer needs, you may start to see more competitive shipping rates and better return/exchange policies to make online shopping virtually risk-free.

And the savings keep coming, if you hold onto your receipt.
Many shoppers aren’t “in the know” about price adjustment and price matching policies at their favorite retailers. Many stores will offer a one-time price adjustment if you bring in a receipt within 7-14 days of the original purchase date. Meaning, if you buy a pair of boots and then they go on sale the next week, you’d be refunded the difference, just by asking. This works especially well at chain stores, like Target, whose prices change weekly. Some stores will also offer a price-matching policy on items offered at multiple stores. Simply bring in your original receipt and the ad or name/phone number of the store beating the price you paid, and many major retailers will match or beat their competitor’s price to keep your business.

Many happy returns.
And remember—you can usually return it. Become familiar with your favorite stores’ return and exchange policies. Most stores have return policies that require returns within 14, 30, 60 or 90 days with a receipt. Nordstrom is the leader in no-hassle returns, with an open, no-receipt-necessary return policy. And if you’ve missed the cut-off for a return, see if the shop will give you a store credit at the item’s current price. After all, money towards a new purse is better than clogging your closet with yet another dress you’ll never wear.