Bargain Shoppers- Discounts, deals and coupons

jym626 · 05-14-2005, 10:52 AM

Taramom started a thread about a way to purchase an Ipod inexpensively by getting double cashback credit for purchases at Sharper Image from DiscoverCard. To keep from indavertently hijacking the thread, I thought we could all share other links, deals,finds, bargains and other shopping specials, especially as they apply to college purchases.

Several folks (most recently wish_it_was_april and katwkittens, shared bargains through the weds. discounts on www.jcpenney.com with free shipping/handling (apologies to whoever first posted this great link-- could you step forward and take credit for your great find?)

I posted one on Taramoms thread, but thought I'd repeat it here. Go to www.ultimatecoupons.com They have all sorts of deals, coupons, etc for many, many stores. There are several good deals on their front page, but you should also click on the letter of the alphabet for the store you are looking for and you can find all sorts of coupons and discounts. I would also suggest www.studentuniverse.com for discount travel for students and educators. For all other discount travel, try sidestep.com or airgorilla.com for starters.
Other hot tips, folks???

SusieQ2007 · 05-14-2005, 11:36 AM

What about books and text books specifically?

tsdad · 05-14-2005, 11:41 AM

www.bensbargains.net

jym626 · 05-14-2005, 11:41 AM

Here are some other suggestions posted on taramom's thread.

"Your techbargains site just linked me to another great site for comparison shopping- pricegrabber.com Its like bizrate.com, but I like it better because it gives you the best bottom line, taking any s&h into consideration (you enter your zipcode and it'll calculate it for you). Another great store/site is microcenter.com YOu can get some great deals."

SusieQ-
Lots of good booksites: Start with half.com and Amazon.com (their used books, though very often you get brand new editions at a low cost) but be sure you have the correct usbn# so you get the right edition. There are several others, but I'll have to find them again. My s. uses these the most.

SusieQ2007 · 05-14-2005, 11:45 AM

jym626, amazon is good, I'm using them for new books but never try their used books.

momofthree · 05-14-2005, 11:50 AM

I have been able to get some wonderful deals from Overstock.com. furnished a little cabin with furniture (a futon, a bunch of bedding, a big rug, etc. from this site . . .)the best part is that it has virturally free shipping, no matter what the size of the item. And for us in TN, no tax.

jym626 · 05-14-2005, 11:52 AM

Here is a link to a list of many discount text sites http://www.back2college.com/library/text.htm
Susie-
We've used amazon for HS and College texts (we have to purchase our own HS texts

) Amazon has been great, but plan ahead, as the media mail rate, which some sellers use, can be very slow at times. Be sure to read the history/feedback of each of the sellers (like on ebay) to be sure you want to buy from the sellers. We have had no problem, ever. Also, MBSDirect.com will buy back a lot of your used books as well. We got $37 back for a Spanish text that was, shall we say, well used??

SusieQ2007 · 05-14-2005, 11:57 AM

jym626, I'm embarrassed to say I have never buy anything on Ebay. I did check out a book "Ebay for dummies"(The Dummies Series) but did not get a chance to read it.
However, I was wondering about the used books on Amazon, do they have the same 30-day guaranteed as purchasing their new books, just return, no question asked, that kind of thing. Thanks ahead.

jym626 · 05-14-2005, 12:38 PM

Susie-
Here is the link to their guarantee when buying froma 3rd party merchant ( the used booksellers).http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...845563-2217510

If you have shopped on Amazon, go on their site and select the "used books" option and look around. It is very straightforward, the 5 star ratings of the sellers are there, etc. All will confirm our order, when you place one, and will provide their direct email address. Also, they will tell you if the book is new, like new, good, fair, etc. I have always found the descriptions of the books to be accurate (down to how many pages have underlining or highlighting). I've never had a problem, and have used them for books for 2 kids for about 3-4 years nos. Saved a LOT of money. One time I realized I'd selected the wrong edition of a book, and she cancelled my order, no problem, when I emailed her. One time a book was a wrong edition, but it was a paperback and it was so cheap it wasn't worth paying to return it. Thats the only downside-- you pay shipping to return an item. Again- so far it hasn't been an issue. When you look for a specific book in the first place, you should see an option below the description saying "more books.. new and used, from $(some dollar amount)" or something like that. Click on that link and you'll find all the other copies of the book you are looking for.

Haf.com is the stepchild of ebay. They are ok too, but my s. just seems to prefer amazon.

momofthree-
I've also gotten good deals from overstock, but they are not always the cheapest game in town. I've only had one problem with them when they didn't honor a "no shipping" offer that they emailed me about in the first place (they send a lot of "offers" in emails). When I emailed them about being charged s&h, they said I should have looked for the * on the screen and then clicked on it to find the exclusions, because thir page was just too full to put the disclaimer right where anyone could see them! Please. Then, the items (they were just some CD's I could have bought down the street, but I responed to the free s&h lure) got lost in the mail and took a month or so to get here. They(overstock) weren't much help. Told me I had to track the item through the post office. After way too many calls and emails, I finally got the cds, and someone at overstock said they'd put a small credit in my acount for the nest time I shop. However, the credit only lasted like a week. So, it took another call and I think I have a small (token) credit in my account. I have no idea at this point. The only good thing htat came out of this is that I was finally able to get the phone # of our local post office-- not some 800 number many states away! Yay.

momofthree · 05-14-2005, 02:20 PM

Wow jym, I think that would be the last time I'd mess with overstock. Sorry you had such a bad experience! I have had some amazing good luck, though, with stuff mailed within a couple of days, and everything all one could ask. I think the most I have ever paid for shipping has been $1.99. I have gotten a lamp, two chairs, two quilts, sheets, towels, a futon, a lot of really heavy stuff. I think part of the appeal for me is that I live an hour from any decent-sized city, and have little time for heavy-duty shopping, so I try the Internet first! I love getting the used books from Amazon, too! That has been especially helpful for ACT/SAT materials and other college guides for the two sons.

jym626 · 05-14-2005, 02:42 PM

momofthree-
Yes-- Overstock has dropped on my priority list, though it hasn't totally fallen off the radar screen. I got my s's inflatable mattress from them, and he looked into a foosball table for his college dorm that was, as you said, a deal when it came to s&h-- like next to nothing for a 60# item. The quality wasn't what they'd need for a dorm rec room, but they looked at it.

I am in a metro area, so have a lot more options. However,when it comes to sending stuff to him at college, it sure is easier just to hit the "send" button on the computer!

TaraMom · 05-14-2005, 03:38 PM

Please don't think you hijacked anything, I'm delighted you were inspired to start this thread! BTW, I've also used Amazon, ebay and half.com for textbooks but am always looking for better sites.

And if you're an AAdvantage frequent flier member, don't forget to link through their website to the merchant (list includes Apple and Overstock) when you're ready to order, and get more miles per dollar spent.

http://www.aadvantageeshopping.com/allmerchants.jsp

jym626 · 05-14-2005, 05:40 PM

taramom-
If any of you are registered with Upromise, the same goes with respect to ordering things through their website. You get a percent back (amount varies by vender-- sometimes up to 6-8%) for purchases through them. I just got my first check from Upromise. $250. Not a ton of money, but it was free. Can't complain. Covers the cost of some of the books we were talking about above.

SusieQ2007 · 05-14-2005, 05:53 PM

jym626, what sort of things count in Upromise. I checked on this a while back and it seems like I have to spend tons of stuff on non-essential stuff before I get anything back in significant amount to make a difference. However, $250 is quite a lot of money. I use American Express/Costco card and I get about $500 a year, it all goes into to wine for DH, no money left for college.(lol)

jym626 · 05-14-2005, 11:03 PM

Gosh, Suzie, it's a long list to describe on here. I'd recommend you go to their website @ upromise.com You can "link" your credit cards to an account you open on their site account, and when you make purchases wit these cards at participating merchants, you get credit. Also, if you have supermarket or drugstore "frequent shopper" cards, when you shop at these stores you'll get credit (assuming you've registered these with Upromise). Ditto for restaurants, purchases online through their link (they have a lot). The fastest way to get cashback credit it with their Citibank creditcard. Works like the Discover or AmEx, but puts the $ in your Upromise account. It took a while to get the $250, but it didn't cost me anything. Free is free. Oh, by the way, we have a 529 plan which doesn't happen to be one of the ones on their list-- so I sent a letter signature guaranteed (their procedure) requesting the $ and they cut me a check. Easy.