I’m a chronic deal-hunter. I’m one of those people who will spend an hour searching every nook and cranny of the internet in hopes I can save 10 bucks. Besides the fact that finding deals can be fun, hunting for the best prices means I can make my money go further and still get luxury brands even on a small budget. Basically, I can have my budget cake and eat it too. Here are a few tricks I’ve learned along the way.
Set up price alerts
Waiting for something to go on sale is a pretty common tactic when something’s out of your price range. The caveat with this is you have to know when it goes on sale so you can nab it quickly. Otherwise, if you find something on sale weeks after it’s been marked down, it might be sold out in your size or sold out altogether.
Price alerts to the rescue! ShopStyle has a price drop feature that will notify you as soon as an item drops in price. For items/retailers not on ShopStyle, you can use a price alert service like ShoppingNotes or ZingSale. You’ll also save time by not having to constantly remember to check back. These services will do the dirty work for you.
Leverage price matching
Some retailers offer price matching, meaning they will adjust the price of your order if you find the same item in stock at a lower price from another retailer. Two notable examples of retailers who price match are Revolve and Nordstrom. They will generally price match either a sale or a coupon code. Even if a retailer doesn’t specifically say they will price match, it doesn’t hurt to ask!
How can you use this to your advantage? Well, if one retailer charges for shipping and/or returns, but another site will price match and doesn’t charge for shipping, you’re coming out ahead. Another way this can work for you: sales tax. If one retailer is required to charge sales tax but the other doesn’t, that can make a significant difference in the price you actually pay.
Here’s one good example. You know those Koral mystic capris I bought? I was going to order them from Bloomingdale’s during their 30% off sale, but before I hit “place order”, I noted that they would’ve charged me return shipping, and they charge sales tax since there is a brick-and-mortar store in my state. Not only that, my size was backordered by several weeks. Instead, I got them price matched from Revolve, which meant no shipping charges, no sales tax, and they showed up way faster. Win!!
Use cash back sites
Here’s how cash back sites work: you create an account on the site, then before you go to make a purchase online, you check to see if any cash back is offered with that retailer. If so, you use the cash back site’s link and complete your purchase in that browser tab. Then, you’ll be credited with a certain percentage of that sale that you can redeem from the cash back site. It’s usually only a couple bucks, but it adds up!
You might be initially skeptical of the concept, but I assure you it’s totally legit. I’ve been using cash back services for years and have accumulated enough money to fund a couple pairs of leggings. :) Basically, the retailers have an affiliate agreement with the cash back sites. The retailers win because having that incentive might encourage consumers to shop with that retailer, and the cash back sites win because they take a small cut before passing on the commission to the shopper. Note that cash back sites usually focus on larger retailers such as Nordstrom, Target, Sephora, etc.
By the way, some banks have a similar system set up that credits any cash back straight back onto your credit card. For example, through my bank, I got 3% cash back on my credit card when I ordered my new computer. When you’re talking about a big-ticket purchase like that, that extra cash back is a big deal! Check your bank’s website to see if they have anything like this set up if you’d rather go through that than a third party.
If you’re really into optimizing every dollar, you can use multiple cash back sites to compare who has the best deal. There are lots out there! However, before you sign up, be sure you read the fine print for the site, such as minimums for withdrawal. The biggest challenge I’ve found is simply remembering to visit the cash back site before I make a purchase. But if you make it a habit, it literally pays off.
For starters, Ebates has a solid program that I’ve been using for a long time. If you’re new to Ebates, it’d be awesome if you would use my referral link when you sign up.
Work the coupon codes
Before I make a purchase, I almost always do a quick search for “[retailer] coupon code”. Sometimes I’ll find something that I didn’t know about and save a few bucks off my purchase. The good ol’ Google method is best for more well-known retailers. But that’s definitely not all there is to it when it comes to utilizing coupon codes!
Besides that, another great way to be sure you capitalize on coupon codes is to sign up for that website’s email list. Email lists are usually the first place a retailer will send discounts, and sometimes they don’t post them anywhere else! Many retailers will also offer coupon codes to first-time customers when you subscribe. To manage the volume of emails, you can set up rules in your email service to keep your promotional emails separate so they don’t overload your inbox.
A third way to get coupon codes is to follow social media. Follow your favorite brands and retailers since they might share exclusive codes there, for example, when they reach a certain follower milestone. But beyond that, I’d also encourage you to find and follow influencers (i.e., popular people) who tend to wear and promote brands you’re interested in. Sometimes brands–especially smaller, growing brands–will give influencers coupon codes to share with their followers. You’ve probably already noticed this if you’ve followed me for a little while. :) Besides bloggers, you’ll commonly find these codes from popular Instagrammers. If you’re looking for some Instagram accounts that share things in the fitness vein, you can start with @workoutbean and @gofitjo.
Know your retailers
I definitely have certain retailers I visit most often, but when it comes time to purchase, sometimes my gaze will wander. Some brands are stocked at a wide variety of retailers, so if one of those brands is on your list, there’s a good chance you’ll score a sale or a coupon code if you’re patient and persistent.
For example, you might like to shop at Nordstrom or Carbon38 for quality activewear brands, but what you might not know is that other large retailers like Backcountry or even Amazon stock some of the same stuff, like Mara Hoffman and Alo Yoga, respectively. Beyond that, there are tons of smaller retailers out there that carry quality active brands as well, like The Sweat Bar or Montana Blues. As you find retailers that stock brands you’re interested in, make sure you keep tabs on them for when their sales and coupon codes pop up!
To find some of these retailers, it’s usually best if you have a specific style in mind. Do a search for the style name, but don’t just look at the first page of Google results. Dig through several pages and look for every retailer you can find. When it comes to retailers, sometimes the smaller, more obscure online shops can be absolute gold for sales! If you use this in conjunction with the coupon tip above (e.g., looking for retailers with a first-time-shopper discount), you can really minimize how often you have to pay full price and find some great scores.
Happy hunting!
Gretchen Braun says
Great tips! I’ve tried some of these (like using Ebates) but haven’t set up price alerts before. That’s a great idea!
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
Thanks Gretchen! :) It’s really nice to just set the alerts and forget about it. It’s especially helpful since sometimes by the time it goes on sale, you’re not interested in buying anymore anyway, so you save even more money. ;)
ManilaIce says
Thank you for this post x
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
You’re so welcome!!! :)
Charlotte Blaylock says
If you don’t mind if I share a tip. If I’m hunting something down I really want and it’s discontinued (Lululemon ?) I use mercari or poshmark you can find some great deals!
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
Yesss I could write a whole book with how much I love resale sites, hehe.
carrie says
Thank you for writing this post personally for me :)
Also, it sounds like you might not know that ebates has an option to “link to browser” (usually at the bottom of the page somewhere when you go to the ebates site). So when you go to a website with cash back, a little box automatically pops up asking you if you want to activate cash back. This happens every time you go to Nordstrom, Sweaty Betty, Bandier, etc. I never ever visit the actual ebates site except to check my balance or something. When you link to your browser you will also see an “E” up at the top of your browser at all times that has a checkmark if you have activated, an exclamation point if there is a deal you have not yet activated, and nothing if that particular website does not offer cash back. By linking to browser you don’t have to remember to go to the ebates site first before shopping, AND bonus: if there is double cash back (which as you know happens frequently), you will know because it will say, eg, at sweaty betty “Would you like to activate 10% cash back?” and then even if you are just visiting sweaty betty to browse, you can say “wow, SB has double cash back right now! yes please!” (which can be problematic since it encourages buying NOW so that you don’t miss out on the extra savings.) anyways… yes, ebates is awesome.
oh and thanks for the tip about revolve price matching!!!
carrie says
OT: we have recently been talking a lot about werkshop in this AA community of athleisure love, and someone asked about the full length ones. I took the plunge and my first pair of full length ones arrived today. They are totally awesome (IMO) just like the crops but do have notable differences. The gusset is completely different (which you can see in the pics) – the full length has more of a k-deer gusset that runs down the inner thigh (vs the diamond gusset on the crops). Also, I found the full length ones a tad looser. They still fit me and I wouldn’t consider sizing down, but they felt comfortable right out of the bag – kinda like the crops feel after I have given them a workout or two. It’s kinda perfect since I’m more likely to wear the longer one for casual and the shorter ones for workouts.
Anyways, just thought I would share!
Side note: I like werkshops so much for running but the lack of pocket has been an issue, so I recently ordered a FlipBelt. I haven’t tried it yet but it seems perfect for my needs. I got the zipper one which holds my iPhone 6 with giant otterbox defender case flat against my body with headphone access points, key ring thingy, etc. I have high hopes. It’s not even ugly! Lol.
WA says
that makes me want full-length werkshops right now. BLAST! :) i slipped on some algae while running near a creek-thing recently, ripping a hole in my galaxy crops (and my skin), so maybe i have an excuse?
furthermore, i got a fitness belt after getting an iphone 6 plus and realizing how ridiculous it would be to try to use an arm band with that behemoth. it doesn’t look the coolest, maybe, but it is very very convenient.
carrie says
“BLAST!” is right. i have had some odd need for werkshops the past few weeks and i am loving the pairs i have bought. i have basically put my whole athleisure budget into this brand lately!
sorry you fell!! i fall about once a year or so. it sucks :(
Sara says
Carrie: I was one of those “how does Werkshop fit” a couple of posts back.
Was JUST about to order the long tentacles, but in a size L, instead of the size M you & someone else suggested – to my size 6 LLL – because the size M is out of stock in the long leggings and I think I would wear them more often as I prefer having the “full print”.
Also I fear that since the fabric is compressive, the Capri might dig into my calves (where I have minor swelling, that really shows when a Capri is too tight).
And now I’m back to being in a quandary :P
Thank you for the continuing Werkshop feedback!!! ;)
Sara says
Oh, but now it sounds like size L would be too big!
Buuuut, I’ve just put on about 10 lbs. (just in time for summer ;)
My body has been on a major pendulum swing for last few yrs
:0
Oh well. The Werkshop indecision continues. Thanking tho!
carrie says
hmm that is tough… i have wondered about the size L too – particularly for casual use. i wish shipping and returns were free!
for what it’s worth i ordered the cropped angler because i also wanted full length but it sold out, and they are fabulous!!! (i got jellyfish in the full length – they are fabulous too and GORGEOUS colors – more vivid blues and whites than the picture suggests).
let us know what you do! I’m particularly curious about the large if you decide on that. good luck :)
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
Thanks for sharing the scoop on these!! :)
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
Oh cool, thanks for the note about the Ebates plugin! I should install that. At some point I knew some sites had tools like that but totally didn’t remember when I was writing this post. :P
Lizzies says
Sometimes it seems like you read my mind. Your post on what kind of undies to wear under leggings and how to wash workout gear were posted right when I needed them and funny enough this post came up and it really made me happy to know I’m doing pretty much everything to save a buck that you listed! I actually scored 2 Vimmia leggings on Saks Fith Avenue for a great deal and 2 pairs of Koral leggings on Amazon. I definitely am a bargain shopper especially when good quality leggings are all sharing that $100 and up price tag. Lululemon really started a trend with that and all the other athletic wear companies are following suit. I saw $200 leggings on the Nike website. I would love if you did a blog post on quality for money. If some of these higher priced leggings are worth the money. I’ve been eyeing the Michi brand but $180 for a pair of leggings. Seriously? I think damn I could buy a lot of gas or latte’s with that money. Even pay my electric bill. I mean I don’t mind paying good money for something that lasts and that I wear all the time. I want to know what justifies that cost. $150 is the most I will pay for a pair and truth be told I own some Target brand leggings that have fared even better than my Beyond Yoga leggings. It would just be interesting to see a comparison and I think you would be great at writing it. I am so impressed that you know the difference between a flat lock and an overlock seam and your knowledge of fabrics is really good. I sew and have a degree in clothing design so I know you know your stuff!
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
So glad it was helpful!! :) Quality versus money is definitely an important topic but can be sooo hard to assess. Often it’s comparing apples to oranges when you’re talking about different styles, different fabrics, etc. I also think it can be a pretty subjective topic. Sure, there are broad strokes like certain brands or styles that are always sheer or fall apart, but what makes something worth the money to one person doesn’t necessarily apply to all. Then you throw in variations in quality control and you’ve got quite a tangled mess!! Still, I like the idea and it might be worth putting something together along those lines, so thanks for sharing your thoughts! :)
Sara says
AA: Thank you for another excellent post! Am always looking to save money but not the savviest online shopper. Much appreciated :)
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
You’re very welcome Sara!!! :)
angie says
I friggin love cashback sites! I usually alternate between three sites and have gotten so much “free” money just from doing my regular shopping. You can also go to http://www.cashbackholic.com to check to see how much cashback sites are offering at a particular store. There are MANY out there, but I’d suggest sticking with a few trusted ones so you can keep better track of your purchases.
Funny that you mention backcountry. I just bought some Alo shorts there at a discounted price and tax-free! Bought some Smartwools for half-off to hit the free shipping minimum too! AND they shipped the same day :)
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
Thanks for the tip!! I agree it’s best to stick with 2 or 3 cashback sites so you don’t make yourself crazy. :)
Liz says
I seriously cannot stop laughing because EVERYTHING I just read sums me up! It’s so true, it’s worth the extra effort to save even a few dollars because it all adds up. I never buy online without doing research like you mention above, and I’ve saved 100’s of dollars over the years because of it. I also tend to buy a lot from European websites and pay in euros now that the dollar to euro has improved… I have found some great deals that way. For instance, the current Adidas x Stella McCartney black glossy animal print leggings are almost $35 cheaper on matchesfashion.com – and they offer free shipping AND returns right now to the USA, and there is no tax/duty!! That’s a huge savings, and the international shipping was only 2 days via DHL! I hate to not purchase from US business such as Carbon 38 (where I first saw them), but it bugged me that I had to pay for shipping and returns. I highly suggest European sites, as long as you know they are legitimate. Great tips!!