Simple online shopping hacks that could save Australians hundreds of dollars in online purchases

Australians could save hundreds of dollars when shopping online by using a series of simple tricks before pressing the checkout button.

Canstar Data Insights director Sally Tindall has revealed several strategies that take only seconds but could significantly reduce the cost of everything from clothing to household appliances.

Google Lens allows shoppers to reverse-search an image of almost any product and quickly compare similar or identical items sold by other retailers.

Shoppers can take a screenshot of an item, upload it to Google Lens and see where else it appears online.

“You can actually get an image, screenshot it and then upload it into the Google browser,” Tindall explained.

“If you want to go one step further, you can say ‘Find me the lowest price in Australia’ or something like that. But up will come your options. It’s so incredibly easy.”

The tool can be particularly useful when a product is being sold under different names or appears on several websites at vastly different prices.

However, Tindall warned that the cheapest result may not always be legitimate.

“You only want to be buying from the sites that you absolutely know and trust because a dodgy website might have an image of a Breville kettle that you really fancy, but then you never get the kettle,” she said.

Tindall warned shoppers to check the website address, customer reviews, contact details, and returns policy before handing over any payment information.

Price-matching guarantees can also deliver immediate savings and are not limited to shoppers visiting physical stores.

A number of major Australian retailers allow customers to request a better price online, although the process differs between businesses.

Bunnings offers to beat an eligible competitor’s price by 10 per cent, while The Good Guys has a dedicated price-beat option on its website.

JB Hi-Fi customers can request a price match through live chat or over the phone, while Harvey Norman also accepts requests through its live-chat service.

Appliances Online offers price matching and may also include free delivery, removal of an old appliance, and installation, depending on the product and location.

Tindall said shoppers should compare the entire deal rather than focusing only on the advertised price, as delivery, installation and removal costs can quickly wipe out an apparent saving.

Another simple step is installing a browser extension that searches for available discount codes as shoppers reach the checkout.

Services such as PayPal Honey, Coupert, and ShopBack can automatically test coupon codes, removing the need to search manually or sign up to multiple retailer mailing lists.

“When you’re at a checkout, about to hit buy now, a pop-up will come up and say apply coupon code. You just hit yes,” she explained.

The extensions do not guarantee a discount every time, but even a small saving can make a difference on a large purchase.

She warned shoppers should still check the final total before paying to ensure the discount has been applied and that additional delivery charges have not been added.

Australians could also save substantially by searching resale marketplaces before buying an item new, with some second-hand products available for up to 80 per cent less than their original price.

Depop has become a popular option for second-hand clothing, while Vinnies Finds offers a curated selection of donated items with proceeds supporting the charity’s work.

Vinted is another option for shoppers looking for pre-loved fashion at a fraction of the retail price.

While each individual trick may take only seconds, Tindall said combining them could prevent shoppers from paying far more than necessary.