Tips to Take Advantage of Online Offers

Everyone loves a deal. In fact, we’re often on the hunt for the cheapest and best-quality options available—whether skimming offers from top casinos to find a new game we like or subscribing to a new beauty supplier like Sephora. The idea is to get the most ‘bang for your buck’ possible.

And there are endless offers available online today. That may seem like a good thing, but it can actually be problematic for shoppers. Savvy shoppers aren’t just on the hunt for a great deal, but one that actually offers value — and not always one with a FREE sticker tacked on to it. 

If you’re one of those savvy shoppers who’s often looking into online offers, then keep this list of tips handy. It will help you gauge whether or not an offer is real, gives credible value, and is worth your time.

Signs of a Bad Offer

First, let’s cover the red flags that you should keep a lookout for. If you see any of these features tacked on to an online offer, steer clear.

1. Buy two, get one free. Keep in mind that buying oneitem and getting a second for free (called BOGO) is a good deal. But asking buyers to make two purchases for a third free item hints that the items don’t offer value or couldn’t be sold for another reason.

2. You can’t find the original price. If a deal isn’t clearly labeled to let you know what the non-discounted rate is, then back away from the offer. You can always gauge the value of a deal and the product or service it’s hawking by studying price changes. Choosing not to list them is a red flag.

Signs of a Good Offer

If you see any of these features attached to an offer, proceed without caution. You’ve just found an elite deal.

1. Slow and steady. The best offers are usually cumulative. That means that you should be looking to sign up for a bonus or loyalty program. In these cases, companies hand out deals and freebies in proportion to a buyer’s interest and participation. Over time, these programs offer an incredibly high value for loyal customers. For example, the Sephora offer mentioned above gets better over time, offering loyal customers first dibs on new products and in-person events.

2. It should be easy. If you can seamlessly sign up your personal and financial data, and then you’re provided with a clear breakdown of how a bonus offer works, then you’ve struck gold. Remember, you should easily be able to navigate a website, register for a deal, and then start reaping the rewards. For example, the casino offers mentioned above each include straightforward terms and conditions, then lay out how players can start to take advantage of them with step-by-step guides.