Jan 24, 2006 1:23 am US/Pacific
Call Kurtis: Finding The Good Bargain
by Kurtis Ming
SACRAMENTO (CBS 13) ―
Rummaging through sale racks, fighting through a sea of customers - just some of the things we go through to find that great bargain. Of course there are traditional coupon sites too. But there is an easier way to nab those sales, and even stash some cash while doing it.
Like most of us, Jason Kraft loves low prices. But he doesn't scour aisles or clip coupons when it comes to saving cash.
"Stores are basically showrooms," says Kraft.
Jason hits up the stores to comparison shop, but only makes purchases from one room - his own! He finds rock bottom prices on a trendy web site that goes way beyond coupon codes.
"I've probably saved thousands of dollars per year," says Kraft
So have hundreds of thousands of other bargain hunters, heading to web sites like gottadeal.com, ebates.com, and fatwallet.com. Opening an account on these shopping portals is free. Not only will you find discount codes and message boards filled with secrets, but these sites have also struck deals directly with merchants. Jim McIlroy with "fatwallet" says he works with over 500 popular stores!
"We post deals from the merchants that they give to us. It might be coupons, might be free shipping, might be discounted items," says McIlroy.
Or even rebates! Some also offer another perk.
"Cash back. We've negotiated a commission from the merchants and we share that with the users," he says.
Meaning you can actually earn money, by spending it! The percentage varies, but it can be as high as 7% depending on the purchase!
"The balance will be there as pending cash back until we receive the money, the payment from the merchant. We then send it on to your account," says McIlroy
And you can have it sent to you by check or even direct deposit! Play your retail cards right, and Jason says you can find the deal of a lifetime!
"People outline their strategies on how to purchase products for the lowest price," says Kraft.
That's how Jason found a dressed up deal on some new business shirts!
"These are the same shirts you find in the stores for, like, thirty dollars. They were available online for about eight to nine dollars each," says Kraft.
When it comes to cash back benefits on web sites like fat wallet and rebates, keep in mind that you won't be able to claim your money instantly. In some cases, it can take months before you're able to cash out.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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