1. Check in-store and online. Sometimes store websites will have greater discounts than in-store, and vice versa. Also check individual brand sites, department stores/sites usually mark up the item's original retail price and won't put the item on sale until much later in the season. I recently purchased a French Connection coat for $200 on the label's site - $150 less than the department stores/sites I searched.
2. Check for an adjustment policy. Many sites give you up to 10 days to adjust the price you paid for an item if it gets marked down. Check back on your purchase to catch any additional discounts. I bought Hunter rain boots on sale at Bloomingdales.com for $180. I checked back and saw they went down to $125 - my size was gone but I still got the adjustment.
3. Check for sites with free shipping, free returns, and/or in-store returns. I personally hate shipping charges - you can easily lose $30 or more. With this, check the site's return policy carefully! - call a representative if possible to double check. This is especially important for international sites.
4. Sign up for email alerts. You will get sale alerts and many sites send extra discounts to subscribers. Some sites also give discounts just for signing up (Bloomingdales.com gives 10% off, RachelRoy.com gives $20 off - check!). You can always unsubscribe later.
5. Read reviews. Seriously. You will be surprised how helpful they are - does the item run true to size, is the color description accurate, how is the quality? etc. I almost bought a pair of boots until 3 reviewers said the leather wore out after a few uses - money and time saved.
**Other helpful tips:
If the site is unknown to you or looks weird - Beware. Keep to sites you know or are referred to. If you must try a new site, start with a small purchase - worst case scenario you won't lose too much.
Check sites like Amazon, many time they buy in bulk and can offer bigger discounts. You'll be surprised what you find on Amazon.com.
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