Stop paying taxes on your Amazon purchases....

Recently I bought a $999 electronics item on Amazon.... during check out I realized buying through Amazon and using my Prime it was going to cost me over $77.67 in taxes. Because Amazon has a physical operation in the state I live in, all purchases are subject to being taxed as I'd pay taxes on those items had I gotten them at a brick and mortar.

Amazon will always feature it's items first. There is usually a note like, "Note: Available at a lower price from other sellers, potentially without free Prime shipping." Be sure to click that other sellers link and see what options exist. You need to be smart though, and not just buy the lowest shown price, now all vendors are created equal. And you have to take into account the shipping cost and the potential of being taxed.

What I do is first assess the prices from other vendors, the condition (I strive for New), and the delivery cost. Typically items with lower prices lose their low price when you add in shipping. HOWEVER, you can click the left hand side bar and choose Prime, so only Prime offers are showing if you have Prime. Otherwise, Amazon has a nice little hidden drop down that shows "Price + Shipping" and "Price + Shipping + Tax." Why they wouldn't default to P,S, and T, is beyond me. But likely due to their items would never show up.

As you can see, not only did I find a lower price, but it's free shipping with my Prime AND no taxes from a vendor with good reviews. Don't have Prime? Not a problem, just click "Free shipping" and see what results are yielded. In my case, it shows an even lower total price option.

In short, you can and should learn to be a smarter online consumer. This is just on small lesson of the greater knowledge you can have as a consumer. To increase your savings, you could use Ebates to get cash back on your purchase. And you could even get a reduced price Amazon gift card for more savings. And maybe there is even a promo code to apply.

Let's Help Each Other Save Money

Together, we can collaborate using technology to save money on everyday and ordinary purchases. As well as some of the out of ordinary purchases. Brands and services know there is an audience of shoppers who are willing to spend the money when they can also save money. I use several services to do this, however the primary tool I use is Ebates. I have always been frugal by cutting coupons, using in store offers and other methods. However, I never understood sites like Ebates until last November. Heading into Black Friday I told myself I need to save money or make my dollar stretch further during the holiday season.

What was a one time project is now part of my purchasing routine. I use Ebates for all sorts of my purchases, because the destination of where I am purchasing does not change. I still use target.com, hotels.com, etc. I just start at Ebates website or app, then click the store or business I want to purchase something from. You can even load items into a cart and return to the site after linking through ebates to make the purchase and receive cash back. Or get fancy, and add the ebates browser extension and be reminded when you're online shopping of potential savings by cash back and promo codes.

Since November, I have earned over $275 cash back. $200 of that is from purchases from places like groupon, hotels.com, walmart.com, target.com, macys.com, amazon.com and I could go on. The other $80 has come from teaching friends how to save money using ebates. Each of those friends received $10 instant cashback after their first use of ebates. All four of those friends gave me great feedback and gratitude for introducing them to savings. I want to help you save too. Yes, I get a small referral bonus because ebates is generous and rocks, but truly, there is no risk to you or I in this process. Ebates does not ask for your credit card information, they can mail you a check quarterly or direct deposit the cash back. Your first big fat check as they call it will be sent to you after you have earned $12, and considering your first purchase earns you $10 bonus cash you would see your ebate pretty darn quick.

I am an open book, I can screen shot my ebates account to show you my success. And remember, you never have to pay to use ebates. They make their money by driving traffic to partner businesses listed on their site and sharing the kickback with you.

Questions? Need help? Message me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tenderyoursavings/
 
How to start saving:

1. Sign up for Ebates here - This link will give you a $10 sign up bonus!
2. Find the store you are intending to shop at online e.g. nike, walmart, groupon.
3. Always review the terms to make sure your purchase qualifies. Amazon typically makes it challenging for purchases to qualify, but other sites are much easier. 
4. You CAN use promo codes too while receiving cash back. 
5. Make your purchase. 
6. Within 24 hours you should see a credit on your account.
7. Once you love saving money, get the browser extension.
8. Repeat steps 2-6

Ebates has a help section, don't hesitate to check it out. Please do return to this page to sign up. That is the only way I can assure you that you get $10 after your first purchase. Ebates "How to Join" help page. 

Here's my most recent display of savings: