There’s no better feeling than getting a great deal on a product you love, and price comparison apps can help you achieve that.
We think you’ll agree that I’m not exaggerating. There are few feelings quite like the thrill of being ready to buy something. That’s why we all eagerly await incredible sales like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, because getting your favorite product at a discount is pure euphoria.
Perhaps the only truly great feeling is buying that discounted product only to see it in stores or online for double the price. Wow! Doesn’t that feel right at home?
But on the other hand, there are worse feelings than going shopping and finding the product for half the price somewhere else. What a nightmare!
How can we avoid that pain and at the same time increase our excitement every day?
In three words: price comparison apps.
Price comparison apps are designed to help you find the best deals, and many include millions of products across hundreds of categories. This means that whether you’re looking for a laptop, running shoes, a kiddie pool, or a dog house, you can find the best deal with one of these apps. Plus, you don’t have to wait for holiday or seasonal sales to get the best price.
But with so many price comparison apps out there, how do you know which one to use?
Consider the Features
To decide which app to choose, it’s helpful to define what you’re looking for, then choose one that includes those features.
Online Shopping Versus In-Store Shopping
Those who prefer to shop in-store will want an app that includes a barcode scanner. Luckily, that’s why there are many highly rated price comparison apps like ShopSavvy, Purchx, ScanLife, Now Discount, and Quick Scan. A barcode scanner lets you scan a product with your phone, then quickly compare prices with other stores or websites.
If you prefer to shop online, don’t worry. Most price comparison apps with barcode scanners also have QR code readers and the ability to find the best deals online. With a QR code reader, you can search for products online and scan their QR codes with your phone, so you don’t have to leave your seat to get the best deals.
Even price comparison apps that don’t have barcode or QR code readers can find the best deals for you. Apps like BuyVia, PriceGrabber, TTPM, and Shopular can help you find the best deals.
Perhaps the best price comparison apps (like Purchx and ScanLife) compare prices across local stores and websites. With these apps, you’re not limited to shopping online or in-store. In each situation, you can decide where and how to shop best for you.
Coupons, Cash Back, and Reviews
Some of these apps, like BuyVia and Shopular, not only compare prices, but also send you coupons. This means that in certain situations, you can find a great deal and use the coupon to save even more money.
These two apps, in particular, also include a rebate feature, which means that when you make a purchase through the app, you get a percentage of that amount back.
Other apps, like ShopSavvy, Amazon, Purchx, and others, have a great additional product review feature that allows you to read real customer reviews before you buy. After all, it’s great to find a laptop for $100, but if all the reviews say it’s completely useless, then it’s definitely not worth $100.
Niche Products
Most price comparison apps will find you the best deals on all the products available. However, there are other apps with special offers, such as ShopSavvy, which specializes in tech products and gadgets, and TTPM, which finds you the best prices on children’s toys and pet supplies. If you’re a tech buff, ShopSavvy might be a good fit; if you have five kids, TTPM might be a better fit.
On the other hand, keep in mind that most price comparison apps allow you to search by category and get product recommendations based on your previous searches.
How Much Are You Actually Saving?
While there’s no better feeling than finding a good deal, let’s be honest for a moment. Using a price comparison app is time-consuming. This is true no matter which app you choose; reading product reviews and comparing prices can take hours.
Blessed are those who have office jobs and have that free time. For others, those hours will be spent doing other things: housework, work, socializing, sleeping, and so on. Many of us are willing to invest that time not only for the money we save, but also for the enjoyment of the process.
Yes, that’s right. It’s fun not only to find a deal, but also to buy it.
But since we all know that time is money, it’s important to at least be careful and not fool ourselves into thinking that the money we save through price comparison apps can be spent on something else, albeit in a different currency: time.
The Spending Trap
There’s another caveat with all these price comparison apps, as ridiculous as it may seem. The offers on these apps are often so good and tempting that you can buy things you don’t really need and therefore end up spending more money. If you have that much money to spend, then you have nothing to worry about. But if your budget is limited, you should be careful and buy only what you need, not what’s on sale.
As you know, exercising such self-control is not easy. But we’re sure you can do it. Just keep your focus on the goal: saving money on the products you need. And that’s what price comparison apps are great for.
