How to Find Just What you Want: Searching Out the Perfect Gift Online
The perfect gift seems more theoretical than a reality. However, those who are savvy shoppers purchase gifts that are closer to the hearts of recipients. At times, what you envision as perfect is more than far from what the giftee would wish you got them. Therefore, it’s necessary to apply some creativity when shopping online. Here’s how to find just what you (and they) want when searching for a gift online.
Peruse Some Social Profiles
Some sites like Pinterest combine social media and shopping. You can glean the interests of friends while getting an idea of things they might like. Some sites take the idea a step further and allow you to buy ‘pinned’ items. So, with a few clicks of your mouse, you can identify something a friend covets and then purchase it for them.
Use the Shopping Search Function
Using the internet has become such second nature for modern shoppers that Google has become a verb. However, you can use popular search engines like Google and Yahoo in better ways to shop. Click the shopping function when doing a search to find results that feature products along with prices. That way, you can get a sense of what suppliers host the best prices. Even better, the shopping function reveals information that may otherwise be hidden from unassuming buyers. For example, some lure buyers with low costs but compensate with astronomical shipping fees.
Start a Spreadsheet
Apps and gifting sites are great for viewing what interests friends and family members, yet such tools can be difficult to use. It’s much easier to track the interests, potential gifts, and what was bought for whom by using a simple spreadsheet. Google Drive is a free service that allows for spreadsheets that can be accessed by your smartphone, laptop, or desktop computer. Also, you can easily crunch numbers to ensure that your gift giving heart is not larger than your wallet.
Stalk Friends and Family
Well, don’t literally stalk them. But, you could snoop on their social profiles to see if you missed a chance to know things that they would really like to have. Or, even better, see if you can buy something that solves a problem they may have. For example, using Twitter, use the Ctrl + F function to go through a friend’s stream and highlight times they mentioned: “I love.” It may reveal a product they like, a place they enjoy, or a favorite pastime. It’s a simple yet clever way to peer into the minds of friends and family. Plus, they’ll be blown away by your mind reading capabilities come gift time. Otherwise, you may not know your friend would appreciate a vaping product. See more at www.vaporescence.com/pages/kangertech.
Buy in Bulk
In some cases, you can use one idea to supply a bunch of friends with great gifts. Even better, you can save money by purchasing in bulk (buying more than one item) or purchasing several items from the same store (which could also help save on shipping). You may feel awkward buying several people the same item throughout the year, so maybe you’ll want to reserve some gifts for the following year.
Get Intel from Salespeople
Just because you intend to purchase online doesn’t mean you can’t get ideas from inside brick and mortar stores and collect intelligence from salespeople. Ask about items that are popular, those that get returned due to dissatisfaction, or find out when the latest products are going on sale. It’s a nice way to combine an in-store experience with potential online savings. Most store workers are paid per hour versus commission, so you shouldn’t feel guilty for not making an in-store purchase.
Sign Up for Newsletters
Nobody likes getting more emails, yet signing up for newsletters can be advantageous. You’ll get the latest information about upcoming products and services. Also, you may be granted incentives to buy in the form of coupons and rebates. Lastly, the emails may prompt you to stay on top of the gift search. Otherwise, you may wait until you have just a few days and need to pay more money or not get something that you feel is the perfect gift.
Create a Savings Account
Some need to make sacrifices come gift time due to poor budgeting. It’s a common error most make. Even worse, some find they don’t have immediate funds and rely on their credit cards a bit too much. Creating a savings account and placing some funds toward it each month ensures that you have enough money come gifting time. Remember that using a credit card is convenient, but unless you’re paying it off in full, everything you buy actually costs more when factoring in interest.
Tilly Henry loves to shop and made a career out of it by becoming a personal shopper! She’s now living the dream – Shopping but using other people’s money!!
