Online Shopping Hacks You’ve Never Heard Of

Online shopping has become a way of life. From groceries to gadgets, fashion to furniture, we can buy just about anything with a few clicks. But while most people know the basics like using promo codes or shopping during sales, there’s a treasure trove of lesser-known hacks that can save you hundreds- if not thousands- of dollars over time.

In this guide, we’ll reveal online shopping hacks you’ve probably never heard of- the kind seasoned online deal hunters use to consistently beat the system.

1. Abandon Your Cart (Then Wait)

This is one of the sneakiest but most effective tricks. If you're shopping on a site and you're not in a hurry, add the item to your cart and leave the site. Many online retailers will send you an email reminder- and often include a discount or incentive to complete your purchase.

How to Trigger It:

• Make sure you’re logged into your account.

• Add the item(s) to your cart.

• Exit the site and check your email over the next 24–72 hours.

Some stores even send exclusive coupon codes just for cart abandoners.

2. Use Hidden Search Phrases for Secret Sales

Retailers sometimes hide deals behind specific search terms like:

• “Clearance”

• “Final sale”

• “Outlet”

• “Overstock”

• “Hidden deals”

Type these keywords into a store’s search bar, and you’ll often uncover pages that aren’t visible from the main menu. For example, Amazon has hidden “Warehouse Deals” and “Renewed” sections filled with discounted returns and refurbished products.

3. Price Match Using Live Chat

Many major online retailers (Target, Best Buy, Home Depot, etc.) offer price matching- but you have to ask. If you find a lower price on a competitor’s site, start a live chat with customer service and provide the link.

Even if it’s the same store with a lower price in another region or a third-party seller, customer service agents often honour the lower price to close the sale.

4. Use Browser Extensions That Auto-Stack Coupons

Most people know about Honey or Rakuten, but newer or lesser-known tools like:

• Capital One Shopping

• RetailMeNot Deal Finder

• Coupert

• Karma (formerly Shoptagr)

These extensions do more than just find promo codes. Some auto-stack multiple offers, notify you when prices drop, or even apply cash-back and discount codes at once- saving you serious money with zero effort.

5. Check International Versions of Retail Sites

Sometimes, the same product is cheaper on international versions of popular websites. For instance, Amazon UK or Amazon Germany may offer better prices than the U.S. site- even after converting currency and adding shipping.

Use a VPN to access other countries' versions of the site or change the country setting manually in the footer of the site.

Pro Tip: Be sure to account for shipping and compatibility (especially for electronics).

6. Use Price Tracking Sites for Historic Data

Want to know if that “50% off” deal is legit or just marketing fluff? Use price tracking tools like:

• CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon)

• Keepa

• PriceSpy

• Honey’s Droplist feature

These show you price history charts, so you can see if you're truly getting the lowest price or if it was cheaper last week.

7. Split Large Orders to Trigger More Discounts

Some retailers offer discounts like “$10 off $50” or “Free shipping on orders over $35.” By splitting your large cart into multiple smaller orders, you might qualify for multiple discounts- especially if you use different promo codes or accounts.

Use this method to:

• Get multiple free gifts

• Trigger shipping-based discounts

• Use more than one promo code per full order (especially during promo periods)

8. Search for “Student,” “Military,” or “First Responder” Discounts

Many retailers partner with platforms like SheerID or ID.me to offer exclusive discounts. These are not always advertised prominently, so it’s worth searching “[store name] + student discount” or checking the footer of their website.

Even if you're not eligible, you might have a friend or family member who is- many stores allow the discount to be used for gifting.

9. Set Alerts for Sold-Out Items

If something you want is out of stock, don’t just give up. Use tools like:

• NowInStock.net

• Zoolert

• HotStock.io

These services track inventory and alert you the second the item is back in stock- sometimes even before the public sees it.

This is perfect for grabbing hot tech items, limited editions, or fast-selling holiday deals.

10. Use Credit Cards That Offer Price Protection

Some credit cards offer price protection, which means if the price drops after you buy something, they’ll refund you the difference (within a set timeframe, usually 30–60 days). Cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred or Citi Premier have offered this in the past.

Check with your card issuer to see if they offer this and how to file a claim. You could save a lot on big-ticket purchases.

11. Follow Brands on Social Media for Flash Codes

Many brands post limited-time coupons or “flash sales” on their social media channels. Instagram Stories, in particular, is a common place for hidden or short-lived discount codes.

Some brands also reward you with exclusive discounts for tagging them in posts or leaving reviews.

12. Create a Burner Email for First-Time Offers

A lot of sites give 10–20% off your first order if you sign up for their newsletter. Don’t want to clutter your main inbox? Use a burner email or alias (e.g., [email protected]), which Gmail treats as the same address for login, but most websites read as a unique one.

You can repeat this trick endlessly on different sites that restrict codes to new customers.

13. Stack Cash-Back Portals with Credit Card Rewards

Most people either use Rakuten, TopCashback, or a credit card with points. But did you know you can stack both?

• Shop through a cash-back portal (like Rakuten)

• Pay with a rewards credit card

• Apply a promo code from a coupon site or extension

This triple-stack can often yield 20%+ total savings on a single purchase.

14. Use Google Image Search to Find Cheaper Versions

See a product you like? Take a screenshot and upload it to Google Images or use Google Lens to reverse-search it. You’ll often find it cheaper on another site, or find identical items under different brand names (common with fashion, home goods, and gadgets).

15. Time Your Purchases Strategically

Retailers follow pricing cycles. Knowing when to shop can unlock the best prices:

• Tech & Electronics: November (Black Friday/Cyber Monday)

• Furniture: January & July

• Clothing: End of each season

• Appliances: September–October (new models debut, old ones go on sale)

You can also use Google Shopping's price prediction feature (on select products) to see if it’s better to buy now or wait.

Final Thoughts

Online shopping is more convenient than ever- but it doesn’t mean you have to pay full price. These under-the-radar hacks can help you stretch your dollars further and make smarter purchases year-round.

Start by implementing just a few of these tricks, and you’ll quickly see the savings add up. Whether you're stocking up on essentials or splurging on something special, remember: a little strategy can go a long way.