What do you buy online that many buy in store?

[CalDisneyMomof2]

People (especially older generations) always ask me how I get some things so cheap or are amazed that certain things, I purchase them online.

I typically buy my dog food through Amazon (like today when Ebates had 3% back for pet supplies) or if I have a coupon to try a new store I'll use that. It ends up being about $25-$30 cheaper than buying it at Petco or Petsmart plus I don't have to leave my house!

Contacts I just used Vision Direct and got 2 90 day supply boxes (1 for each eye) for a net cost of $96 including tax and shipping (even Sams Club would have been about $120) after Ebates.

I buy my skincare on eBay through an authorized beauty seller (I buy expensive makeup that I used to buy at the spa I worked at - I got a REALLY good deal on it when I worked there. I like the stuff and it's really good quality) and for the quality, it's a great price.

People are surprised when I say I buy clothes online from places like Kohls or Target but it typically ends up being cheaper as I can combine gift cards with the charge card/Red Card plus coupons AND Ebates which you can't do in store. If it doesn't fit then I can go into the store to exchange it (but if I don't have to it saves me a trip!)- but I'm pretty good about sizing and which styles will fit me or my family well.

We did a complete home remodel recently and wound up purchasing 1,100 square feet of flooring, microwave and lighting all online. SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than I could have in store. Saved about $500 that way.

These are just some of the things I purchase online to save our family money. What are things YOU buy online that maybe other people don't that saves you and your family money? I'm interested to hear so I can look to buy other things online at a bigger discount then buying in store.

 

[MillauFr]

I bought a washing machine online from Amazon. Way cheaper than the stores around here were selling it for, no 10% sales tax, and free shipping.

 

[tvguy]

My online shopping queen 25 year old DD was shocked to discovery on Amazon Prime day, that the TV she wanted was $20 cheaper at Sears, than any of the online retailers on Amazon. And she was watching movies on it that night.
This after a disaster (for her and her brother) with their father's day gift, a console for my 65 Mustang. Cost her $40 shipping to return the wrong console because the online sites didn't mention there on 2 models, one that fits on the transmission tunnel, and another that fits over what Ford in 1965 called a console, which was really nothing more than a long pierce of chrome with an ashtray at the rear.

 

[flateacher]

Eyeglasses. I get my eyes checked and take the prescription and use it to buy glasses online. I need prisms in my glasses - one pair can cost up to $300. Online I can get them for $60. People think I am crazy but they work and are good glasses. I have also ordered prescription sunglasses from them too.

In the past I have had problems getting my glasses and prescription done properly in person. The last time I bought them "in person" they forgot the prisms and I had to go back THREE times. The doctor at first didn't believe me when I told him they forgot the prisms and I needed them (it is pretty rare). I figured after that on-line couldn't possibly be worse....

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

My online shopping queen 25 year old DD was shocked to discovery on Amazon Prime day, that the TV she wanted was $20 cheaper at Sears, than any of the online retailers on Amazon. And she was watching movies on it that night.
This after a disaster (for her and her brother) with their father's day gift, a console for my 65 Mustang. Cost her $40 shipping to return the wrong console because the online sites didn't mention there on 2 models, one that fits on the transmission tunnel, and another that fits over what Ford in 1965 called a console, which was really nothing more than a long pierce of chrome with an ashtray at the rear.

Amazon is definitely NOT always the cheapest. I do a lot of shopping on there but I price check EVERYTHING first. I usually never buy anything until I check two other stores minimum. And Amazon Prime Day was an absolute joke for the most part.

For my contacts I checked FIVE stores. Wrote out the price for a 30 day and 90 day box, any promo codes available, Ebates if applicable and shipping charges if any. It took me all of 10 minutes total.

If you're not familiar with prices in store or just not a savvy shopper then shopping online is not for you. I'm well aware of what things cost in store before I buy online.

 

[xlxo]

Camera accessories. I find it hard to beat BH deals.

 

[barkley]

What are things YOU buy online that maybe other people don't that saves you and your family money?

cat litter. I've gotten it from a couple of places that (1) had it on sale cheap, (2) had free shipping, and (3) charged no sales tax. I ended up paying less than 50% of the best sales prices I can get locally-and the ups driver had to schlep the 40 pound containers into the garage instead of me

coffee (whole beans). I wait till it's buy 3 pounds get 1 pound free on our favorite starbucks (so 25% off the top savings), free shipping, and then b/c they let you stack a second coupon I get another 10% off the order. add the 25% savings and 10% savings-it's a significant savings per pound.

 

[poohfriend77]

i have to watch carefully, because it's not always cheapest to buy online, but we have found great subscribe and save deals for toilet paper, paper towels, dog food, and breakfast cereal.

 

[hsmamato2]

lots of stuff..... I like to see some things in person,etc before buying, but I will sometimes look at things,then go home and order what I wanted.... cheaper/portals,etc so many reasons.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I'll buy anything online that I can get cheaper unless it's clothes for me because I'm picky. I buy clothes for DS, and pretty much everything else we might need or want other than things I buy at the grocery store. I coupon and buy based on sales so there haven't been really any deals I've seen online that are better than I could get in store even with subscribe and save (like paper goods, etc). A few times I've gotten diapers online because I needed them, and I'll often search for K Cup sales (Staples has good ones and I've gotten some from Tanga too).

I shop for things I know I want or need for the house online so I can go through swagbucks and I always price compare. Recently I've bought a few things on walmart.com because their price online was cheaper than in store and I can get swagbucks plus pick up for free.

 

[hoffman1]

I buy my cat food on Amazon. It always $1-$2 cheaper than Walmart and that big heavy bag is delivered to my door.

 

[barkley]

I buy my cat food on Amazon. It always $1-$2 cheaper than Walmart and that big heavy bag is delivered to my door.

yup-and I started getting my canned cat food from chewey on an auto reorder basis. their base price is lower than I can get it on sale (and when it's on sale the kind my cat likes is always sold out) plus I get an additional discount for the automated reorder plan.

 

[HM]

I buy most everything except groceries and paper goods. Most clothing doesn't get ordered online either.

This months orders included: sunglasses, laptop stand, sandwich maker, shoes, Microsoft Gold card, books, phone case, plastic wire for weedwacker

 

[wendow]

I buy almost everything online (other than fresh groceries), even if I just buy it from Target or WM and do in store pickup. I will purchase online to go through ebates or another shopping portal.

Clothing is almost 100% online but I buy it from stores that have a local store I can return to if I need to. My dh just ordered me a dress from Amazon for my b-day and sure enough, I don't like the fit so I will have to return it by mail.

Almost all household goods are bought online...fem hygiene, laundry, TP, toothpaste, etc. The only exception is when I buy those items at Costco but many times, the online bargains are even better than Costco.

I have discovered that a lot of the things I used to buy from Amazon are cheaper on eBay so I shop on eBay a lot more now.

 

[Judique]

yup-and I started getting my canned cat food from chewey on an auto reorder basis. their base price is lower than I can get it on sale (and when it's on sale the kind my cat likes is always sold out) plus I get an additional discount for the automated reorder plan.

I'm also using Chewy for cat food. One of my cats has to have the urinary tract canned food and Chewy has offered me the best price plus free delivery on $49. I buy a month's worth at a time, but haven't done auto reorder yet.

I'm getting to my mid sixties and have been shopping online for many years.

Not everything but I do find it convenient and a definite time saver. Sometimes it's not about the price as much as the convenience, but I do like a bargain as much as anyone.

 

[megsters]

We buy nearly everything online. Groceries is probably my favorite. Can order in my jammies, can open the door in my jammies, and don't have to leave my house ! I do hit Costco pretty often, but I do buy a lot online there as well. Saves a lot of time. Can get a lot of other things done with my limited time than running around town doing errands.

 

[melmel]

I buy things that are annoying to buy in store. Paper towels, toilet paper, and diapers are all Amazon so I don't have to drag huge boxes home from BJ's. Clothes are usually Kohls with a 30% off and free shipping, then if I don't love it a quick stop in store and back it goes. Usually anything other than groceries if I'm thinking of buying something I check online first. I love Walmart site to store, Walmart prices without wandering the store.

 

[Dashzap]

Ditto on letting Amazon carry the big boxes of TP, wipes, etc. to my home for me.
T-shirts get ordered from LLBean using the rewards from their credit card.
We don't like to shop around...wastes gas and time...so we are likely to order anything we need rather than go to a store.
Shoes usually have to be store bought since we need to be fitted; duplicate pairs are ordered at zappos or shoebuy.

 

[Disneylover99]

Shoes

 

[kathy884]

I hate going to Walmart, but find their website easy to navigate and like the free shipping they offer for orders over $50. That means that I buy vitamins, shampoo, makeup, moisturizer, tweezers, cleaning supplies, printer paper, printer cartridges, and anything else you might pick up at Walmart that is a staple online. What's really goofy, though, is that they often ship it to me in three or more packages. It just means extra boxes to put into recycling. If I have to go out for something, I prefer the Target stores to Walmart and only go to Walmart if Target doesn't have it.

I find Lands End clothing to be pretty consistent in how it fits, so buy sweaters and shirts online. I find their clothing to be of good quality and last (look good) after many washings. It may be more expensive than some places to start, but for me and cost per wear I find their clothing to be a good value.

My husband goes to the grocery store every week, as he likes to look around for ideas etc. (He's the family cook/chef), so we don't buy things we get there online. That means I've never tried Walmart grocery delivery or anything like that.