Due to COVID-19, stores across the country have been running deals for weeks and offering many of them online. That means fewer lines on Black Friday, but how do you keep track of all the changing prices?
"You really want to compare prices before you shop," says Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance expert with Nerdwallet.
She says not to worry though -- there are tools that can help you do just that.
If you are shopping Amazon, Camelcamelcamel.com lets you track what items have cost in the past and even set alerts if it drops below a certain price in the future.
A similar feature is available with Google Shopping for other stores as well.
If you're looking for even more of a discount, Kimberly says to try the browser extension Honey. It will automatically search for different coupon codes, getting you even more savings on your cart.
While you're looking for the best deal online, scammers are hoping you fall for their too-good-to-be-true prices.
Here are four key signs it's a scam:
- The website looks off or it is not a retail site you trust.
- There is a problem or a prize you have to pay to fix or get.
- There is pressure to act immediately.
- You have to pay in a specific way, like with a gift card or a money transfer service.
The big thing is: don't give out personal information. For added protection, shop with a credit card. It is easier to dispute charges than if you use a debit card.
If you have fallen victim to a scam or come across one while shopping, we want to know. Email us at Joe@abc15.com.
