Best Practices for Online Shopping

ORIGINAL POST

Even when I know what I want to buy, I still get pulled into urgency tactics — “Only 3 left!”, “Hurry!” timers, social proof popups. It undermines digital minimalism in such quiet, sneaky ways.

I’ve been experimenting with ways to block those patterns and strip out the pressure — and it’s made shopping feel way calmer. Still a work in progress, but it’s been helping me stay focused and avoid spirals.

Curious what others here do — do you rely on discipline alone, or have you set up any tools or filters to help?

5 replies

TokiLovesToRead · 6 months ago

For me it looks something like this:

What do I absolutely need of necessity wise? More socks, more undergarments, are their clothing items I've had for so long I deserve to replace? Is there a way to get an item that I need to "restock" one of or something in person (buying bodywash, handsoap (more likely to get 2 bottles just in case, etc).
(Based on clothes/shoes): Can I try it on inside a store before I buy it? Can I look for similar items in person, feel the fabric or how the shoe fits? (I wear inserts, so it's important that I test a physical product before-hand or know the shape of the shoe well before purchasing online). Does this product fit me right, if it doesn't look for a different size or avoid the item all together.
From previous experience, how do I make the most of my purchases. For me, I keep 1 pair of shoes until they're absolutely destroyed, my first mistake with my own money was buying shoes I didn't wear/not rotating them out, solved this problem by keeping 1 pair of shoes and 1 pair of good winter boots. What can I thrift or get from relatives (items not used by the relative they'd be happy to give to me). For some stand alone items, now that I have money I can splurge a tiny bit, get a good quality spring jacket (only 1) and one good coat.
Donate things I rarely wear or haven't worn when it was seasonal. This is important regardless of it if's clothes or a object (book, game, gifts); if it's something I haven't touched in a while and I feel ok with parting it or I somehow have this item and I barely use it, donate it. It's ok to bag something up and hide it, then look for it and say "I haven't thought about what's inside here for a long time, I can get rid of this."
Can I save this item for later in a list or get it when it's on sale rather than pay the full price? I also try and wait on some items before purchasing like video games and legos and clothes, anything else I buy. If I think about an item every couple of days, I might decide to get it or if I've waited out for a while and it's something that I'd use.
If there's something I want to get and I'm ready to take the step, that's when I add money to my account for the purchase instead of already having it there; although I'm a student currently, not sure how it'll work in the future.

2 upvotes on reddit

[deleted] · 6 months ago

How much do you need to buy online, really? Can you cut the online stores out entirely? I buy most consumables from my local shops as the price is often better than online as there's no shipping to pay for. Specialist consumables like vacuum food bags, CO2 cartridges, coin cell batteries etc I do buy online but I just hop on ebay, buy something from the first page or two and hop off, without looking at any recommended items or such and buying anything I don't need.

(Hot tip: if you buy stuff from ebay a lot from businesses, search the seller's website and buy it there. It's usually 20-50% less for the same product because of no ebay fees, and they make more money. Many sellers will put a card in your ebay order begging you to do this).

For products, how many new products do you really need? I realise this is a digital minimalism sub not a minimalism sub but you can see the crossover. Do you really need a new Amazon/Shein/Temu tat every day? Do you really need that set of bespoke kitchen storage jars with chalk labels or can you reuse old jam jars and pickle jars?

4 upvotes on reddit

Icy-Formal-6871 · 6 months ago

[designer] i hate popups and i hate all the fomo/pressure stuff. unfortunately sometimes, some of it works but most of the time it’s panicked lazy businesses. the last website i worked on im proud to say had zero popups and none of the ‘hurry’ stuff. meeting were had, hills were died on

9 upvotes on reddit

Svefnugr_Fugl · 6 months ago

There's a cheat sheet going around for buying things but it all boils down to waiting. Did I need it yesterday? No, why do I need it today? Can I wait a week, month for it? It's probably not needed.

Which brings me onto the thinking of wants Vs needs

I want a dumb phone, I want it to have android as I want finch but I don't need it as my phone is working fine right now, I just need to keep my tactics going and further improve on reducing my screen time

I want eyeliner stamps but don't need them as I don't wear make up and rarely go out. So they can wait.

Oh the Amazon sale has a book nook which I want that is on sale for £28 it shows the retail price of £42 I know they have raised that as it was £33 a few days ago and it's £39 in stores so although the sale tempts me into this want, I don't need and I'm not falling for this temptation.

I used to have shein and that was a nightmare for the rush to buy I wanted one of the ghost ornaments holding a bat (I classed it as a need at the time) but I still waited, it sold out 3 times and I had to find a different seller and re-save on my wishlist. I constantly panicked that it would be gone with the rush and Halloween past but eventually when I bought some stuff to rid my wishlist and delete my account it was still there still got it and have a rubbish tiny plastic ghost holding a bat beside my big retail ceramic ghost holding a pumpkin. That taught me the rush isn't worth it.

5 upvotes on reddit

bahrfight · 6 months ago

I don’t have any tips for the pop ups and rushed messages but something that helped me protect myself from the pressure to online shop, is removed convenience factors. I got rid of Amazon prime, which makes impulse purchases less appealing because I have to pay shipping. Also, removing saved cards. If you have to get up to get your wallet to manually input all your card info, you’re less likely to make a rushed purchase that way as well. I hate to say it but I’ve literally picked ordering food from a different restaurant than the one I wanted because the other one had my info already saved and was a faster checkout. We are so influenced by convenience. Even things like not letting yourself shop on your phone, only your computer.

4 upvotes on reddit

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r/ecommerce • [2]

Summarize

Prevent phishing and other fraud?

Posted by toyllathogo6 · in r/ecommerce · 8 months ago

Hey everyone, curious how you all handle phishing attempts and fraud prevention in your ecom stores. Lately, I’ve seen an uptick in sketchy emails posing as payment processors, plus a few chargeback scams that almost got through, and some stores copying us in an attempt to phish I’ve got basic protections in place—SSL, 2FA, and fraud detection tools—but wondering if there are any extra steps worth taking.

6 upvotes on reddit

5 replies

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camaro2ss · 8 months ago

There are two services I recommend here all the time, one of which is for chargeback/fraud prevention - Signifyd is who we use, but there are a few other players too. Best decision I ever made.

No recommendations for phishing though, would be interested in what others have to say there.

1 upvotes on reddit

SomeFellaFlex · 8 months ago

Immediate steps:

Set up IP geolocation tracking to flag orders from high-risk regions

- Enable CVV and AVS verification on all transactions

- Implement email domain verification (block disposable emails)

Add CAPTCHA on login/checkout pages
Set velocity limits for failed payment attempts

1 upvotes on reddit

Imaginary_Ad9141 · 8 months ago

This is the answer. keep in mind that if you’re using blocks for checkout some built in recaptcha (iThemes Security for one) will not work, so you’ll need to use V3 (invisible) and manually add it.

1 upvotes on reddit

AttilaDa · 5 months ago

IPQS might be something you’d be interested in.

1 upvotes on reddit

Henrik-Powers · 8 months ago

For phishing it really comes down to not clicking on anything that is sent as attachments or running those in a secure environment after scanning. We host our own email server and I’m able to limit a lot of things that might normally happen but it’s not foolproof.

In addition to what was already mentioned for fraud is placing holds on shipping for any large orders, we recently had a “procurement company” inquiry for some of our products, they were slick and ordered around $200 worth that went through credit card with no problems then a week later they had an emergency and need to place a large order and ship it next day, they would pay upfront with wire but it wasn’t a wire it was a draft on a checking account.

That account didn’t belong to them and after a day or so it came back as fraud but we had already shipped it. My warehouse manager was out sick and the backup guy had no clue and just shipped it out, luckily we were able to intercept it as it was shipped slower on a 3 day UPS. Was around $1500 in COGS for us, still with shipping and fees we lost several hundred bucks. So another lesson learned and training for the team.

1 upvotes on reddit

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r/mildlyinfuriating • [3]

Summarize

So now we’re asking tips for online shopping?

Posted by cafespeed21 · in r/mildlyinfuriating · 1 year ago

19 upvotes on reddit

5 replies

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5 replies

[deleted] · 1 year ago

We should have law to ban this shit. Who the hell they tipping? Sure as hell ain’t going to the employees

1 upvotes on reddit

abbygirl · 1 year ago

I got one of these a few months ago and immediately changed my mind about the purchase.

1 upvotes on reddit

CondimentCommander · 1 year ago

yeah no thank you

2 upvotes on reddit

Scythe5150 · 1 year ago

This shit is getting out of hand.

1 upvotes on reddit

Appropriate-Koala316 · 1 year ago

Getting out of hand, I always tip my servers but companies and management blatantly grabbing money out of people's sense of tipping is going to backfire on the one that rely on tips

1 upvotes on reddit

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r/privacy • [4]

Summarize

Shopping online with privacy - convenience not anonymity

Posted by InstantbciPrivate · in r/privacy · 8 months ago

There are three main reasons why every merchant wants me to create an account with them: 1. So that I can get instant access to my order history and track my packages, 2. So that the next time I checkout I don’t have to enter my details again, and 3. I can get personalized offers and loyalty.

Despite this, I don’t create accounts because it’s super hassle laden. I don’t want my card and information stored on hundreds of merchants - because everyone gets hacked. I want offers and loyalty points - but don’t want the bait and switch of being spammed and phished - so never opt in for marketing.

Convenience and saving money costs me my privacy.

Any solutions or thoughts or do people feel the same way?

5 upvotes on reddit

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5 replies

InstantbciPrivate · OP · 7 months ago

Masked emails still give you spam etc and managing things manually is a hassle at this age of tech - things should be simple - but looks like everyone is just ‘dealing’ with it - and has got used to it?

0 upvotes on reddit

BatemansChainsaw · 7 months ago

when it comes to email aliases, you can always delete them after shipment has been delivered.

2 upvotes on reddit

InstantbciPrivate · OP · 7 months ago

Agree - but it’s a hack and extra work for me - and my alias is still on the website and if I have to return something they want to know the email I used etc etc - I’m constantly having to monitor- and want something super simple - it’s like the days when you have a camera and a phone - and then they merged into one - no hacks to have a camera and phone wherever I went - thanks to tech!

0 upvotes on reddit

Furdiburd10 · 8 months ago

Any solutions

Its opt-in on most webshops right? I just don't make an account. Simple as that. Tracking can be done manualy and if I can then i order it to PO boxes not to my address.

2 upvotes on reddit

lo________________ol · 8 months ago

I use a new masked email and card for every online retailer. But generally that leaves you with an address that will get exposed, unless you have a PO Box or similar. Which I would recommend.

Much better, though: buying things in person

5 upvotes on reddit

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r/LifeProTips • [5]

Summarize

LPT: Before making a non-essential online purchase, add the item to your cart or wishlist and wait 24-48 hours. This helps distinguish genuine needs/wants from impulse buys.

Posted by yanirvana · in r/LifeProTips · 5 months ago

[removed]

92 upvotes on reddit

7 replies

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DamnYouRohan · 5 months ago

Also, chances are the company will send you a discount code/voucher in that time period. Saving you some money!

17 upvotes on reddit

Less_Party · 5 months ago

And then I’ll feel so annoyed at being marketed at I don’t want to buy whatever it was anymore.

3 upvotes on reddit

DamnYouRohan · 5 months ago

Either way money saved!

4 upvotes on reddit

LifeProTips-ModTeam · 5 months ago

Your post or comment was removed as it was determined to be in violation of our rules and regulations. Please familiarise yourself with them to avoid future punitive actions applied to your contributions to the subreddit.

Rule 7: Do not submit tips in reaction to other posts.
Reposts and frequently posted topics may be removed.

If you are in disagreement with this decision, you may wish to contact the moderators.

1 upvotes on reddit

corgis_are_awesome · 5 months ago

This is a good life pro tip. I have been doing this for years now and saved myself from all sorts of frivolous purchases

3 upvotes on reddit

scarlettvvitch · 5 months ago

80% I hold off for a month,if it still itches, I clicks it. However most of the time I end up forgetting.

5 upvotes on reddit

Little_Ocelot_93 · 5 months ago

Oh, totally been there. It's almost like giving yourself your own little return policy before even buying. I remember when I started doing this a while back. Man, you wouldn't believe how many times that 48-hour rule saved me from getting a bunch of random stuff that I would probably have forgotten about a week later. There was this pair of funky shoes I was obsessed with at like 1 AM one night. Added to cart, convinced I needed them. Then, boom, a couple of days later I looked at them again and thought, "What was I thinking?" Saved myself a decent chunk of change.

One of the most satisfying parts of waiting is also realizing how often those "must-haves" feel less appealing when you give them some real thought. Plus, it feels good to be in control of your spending, doesn't it? Okay, honestly, I don’t always manage to wait it out, especially during some of those killer sales... but when I do, it’s kinda empowering.

1 upvotes on reddit

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r/lululemon • [6]

Summarize

Some Habits to Help Manage the Impulse to Online Shop

Posted by punnyenough · in r/lululemon · 5 years ago

18 upvotes on reddit

6 replies

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6 replies

[deleted] · 5 years ago

I don’t find my online shopping to be a problem when the option to go in store to try on stuff is available ��‍♀️

2 upvotes on reddit

future_ela_teacher · 5 years ago

Even now with stores opening, most fitting rooms are still closed. All that accomplishes is people buying the item to take into their home and try on, then return if it doesn’t work. Which is another discussion altogether, but I’ve found myself online shopping just as much as lockdown. However, I live in a town that doesn’t have much beyond a target and tj maxx so take what you will from that lol.

1 upvotes on reddit

[deleted] · 5 years ago

I still don’t qualify whatever weird system that is the economy trying to reopen now as normal - able to try in store as an option. I live very remote and would wait a few months to go shopping and try stuff on before. It’s never bothered me. But since Covid I’ve shopped online a lot more because I’ve been home and knew I wasn’t going to be paying for the trip to go shopping. Which ironically just made me buy more lol

1 upvotes on reddit

KDao18 · 5 years ago

I budget how much I’m willing to spend on said store if going online. Anything left over or I really never bothered to use goes back into the general fund.

1 upvotes on reddit

song-of-misery · 5 years ago

I think the one in one out rule is so important! especially with every day wear!

3 upvotes on reddit

CoolBrady · 5 years ago

Thank you for this!

2 upvotes on reddit

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r/AskReddit • [7]

Summarize

What are some tips for online shopping that everyone should know?

Posted by applec3o · in r/AskReddit · 6 years ago

1 upvotes on reddit

5 replies

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5 replies

FinalP0rpl3 · 6 years ago

Read the product details. I always make sure I know what measurements I'm getting and what the item either has or doesn't have.

1 upvotes on reddit

Firstclass30 · 6 years ago

Never order through Alexa. She filters out Amazon competitors when listing products and prices through Alexa are higher.

2 upvotes on reddit

gimpymeme · 6 years ago

sort by price lowest to highest

3 upvotes on reddit

[deleted] · 6 years ago

Look it up on multiple websites to find the cheapest

1 upvotes on reddit

_sonja_ · 6 years ago

Download that app “honey”, that looks for discounts and codes and apply them to your purchase. It can save you a few bucks here and there.

Also if you shop on amazon, use amazon, smile. It’s the exact same site (as in, it is amazon. Amazon runs it, nothing will look different and it’s the same account) except a small portion of each purchase will go to a preselected charity of your choice. It’s like amazon is trying to look charitable but they make you log in to the same, but somehow different site, in order for you to be able to donate.

1 upvotes on reddit

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r/ShopeePH • [8]

Summarize

Nag-aabang rin ba kayo kung may ibababa pa yung presyo ng item na gusto niyo, usually during big day sale?

Posted by Character_One9366 · in r/ShopeePH · 25 days ago

Hi! Not really related sa shopping ngayon, gusto ko lang po humingi ng thoughts from daily/big sale abangers. I'm thinking of some small (even petty) things na naeexperience ng mga online shoppers, na maganda or brilliant gawan ng solusyon HAHAHAH

Pagka ba big day sale (like 9.9, sweldo sale, etc.), nag-aabang rin ba kayo if may ibababa pa yung item na ineeye niyo? Usually din diba 8 PM nagsstart yung ibang mega deals, eh possibly din nakakaligtaan yun since busy hour yung time na yun. Do you think helpful yung may reminder or like biglaang notification sa inyo na "nagprice drop na yung gusto mong item!"? Or kaya naman, pag nacheck out mo na pero biglang may pahabol sale pa na mas mababa sa current price ng order mo.

Do you have other thoughts na magiging helpful sa inyo sa online shopping?

105 upvotes on reddit

12 replies

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12 replies

Kz_Mafuyu · 25 days ago

Yes, naka add to cart lahat ng items na gusto ko bilhin and I monitor them closely since gusto ko makatipid. I also check din sa Lazada. Will only checkout if it’s the lowest I’ve ever seen.

5 upvotes on reddit

Character_One9366 · OP · 25 days ago

Do you think helpful po sa iyo na may app na magnonotify sa iyo immediately when price drops?

1 upvotes on reddit

Desperate-Medium4524 · 25 days ago

I open shopee almost everyday to check the prices sa items na interested po ako and take a note sa usual price on normal days, monthly sales and payday sale. For example, I bought my anker powerbank na 20k mah for 1,200 na original price niya on normal days ay 3400. It took me a few months though pero at least sa items na interested ako, dapat alam ko yung price nya at yung lowest na price na bababa siya. Medyo random si shopee kasi walang sure na day makukuha mo sa lowest possible price. Minsan on big sale days at minsan during regular days nag dro-drop. Check mo din yung may sign na live-stream price kasi malaki din yung discount.

5 upvotes on reddit

Desperate-Medium4524 · 25 days ago

to add, maximize mo din po yung 1k off min spend 2k. During sept 1-10 tried more than 10x but di nakaswerte kasi nag iiba mechanics. Nakabawi naman last 15, 6/6 sa 1k off kaya naka sulit nadin sa grocery items at pet essentials. In total, almost 20x na ako naka take advantage sa 1k off on essentials at needs kaya sulit na sulit talaga.

0 upvotes on reddit

Prestigious-Bowl7638 · 25 days ago

I usually wait sa mga sale, what I noticed e masyadong nilang pinopromote yung 9.9/big day sale pero may mga items (hindi naman lahat, depende sa shop/product) na mas mura pa after few days or sa payday sale. So, what really help me kapag di ko pa naman kailangan yung item but eyeing to buy it, monitor lang sa price drop/changes and kapag tingin ko sulit na check out na agad HAHAHAH

14 upvotes on reddit

Character_One9366 · OP · 25 days ago

Ohhh thank you sa hack HAHAHA pero do you think din po ba helpful po sa iyo na may app na magnonotify sa iyo immediately when price drops?

1 upvotes on reddit

Prestigious-Bowl7638 · 25 days ago

Not for me, I do not check apps' notifs that much. Pero sa shapi kasi may nakalagay na '% cheaper since added to cart' doon ko namomonitor or natatadaan ko na lang yung prev price

3 upvotes on reddit

gtemi · 25 days ago

Aliprice shopping assistant

Price tracker for shoppee/lazada on pc

Used it before not sure how accurate it is now

1 upvotes on reddit

Any-Understanding730 · 25 days ago

Noticed few days ago na after a big sale, there’s usually a flash sale na mas mababa ang price ng item/s in a shop. Napansin ko kasi yung item ive been eyeing for a while, nasa 20k, noong 9.9 it was 16k but then 2 days after the sale, it was 13k. Naoobserve ko na ito before pa but parang na consolidate ulit yung observation na yun days ago haha

50 upvotes on reddit

Atlas227 · 24 days ago

depende sa shope talaga yan, may mga sellers din kasi na tataasan yung price before a sale kaya s 9.9 regular price parin pero nakalagay ay sale

5 upvotes on reddit

Character_One9366 · OP · 25 days ago

Bale frequent mo pong manually chinecheck yung price sa cart?

2 upvotes on reddit

Low_Inevitable_5055 · 25 days ago

Oo palagi payday sale etc Tapos screenshot then burahin yung previous screenshot nung item if mas mura yung bago.

Like gatas alam ko 400 alng dapat sya binibili so if kita ko na 500 sya pass ako

Or supplements if nakukuha ko sya ng tig 5 pesos i wont buy pag tig 10 pesos

Applies to all cellphone appliances food etc

14 upvotes on reddit

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r/TanongLang • [9]

Summarize

Nag-aabang rin ba kayo kung may ibababa pa yung presyo ng item na gusto niyo, usually during big day sale?

Posted by Character_One9366 · in r/TanongLang · 25 days ago

Hi! Just wanted to get thoughts from daily/big sale abangers. I'm thinking of some small (even petty) things na naeexperience ng mga online shoppers, na maganda or brilliant gawan ng solusyon HAHAHAH

Do you have other thoughts na magiging helpful sa inyo sa online shopping?

3 upvotes on reddit

3 replies

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Emergency_Sun_690 · 22 days ago

Depende pag kaya kong hintayin. Pero pag kating kati nako bilhin, pikit mata na lang talaga. Haha

1 upvotes on reddit

charliesheet · 25 days ago

oo, took more than a year pero nabili ko yung s24 ultra for a fraction of it's original price

it's a win.

3 upvotes on reddit

ProofCattle3195 · 23 days ago

Yes. Everyday akong nagche-check ng price sa Lazada at Shopee ng item na gusto ko for three months. Pero sa TikTok shop pala bababa sa presyong afford ko yung price ng item. Never bumaba ng ganon kababa sa Lazada at Shopee. Buti na lang natyempuhan ko yung flash sale sa TikTok.

1 upvotes on reddit

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r/SampleSize • [10]

Summarize

What are your online shopping habits? (Everyone)

Posted by jjrelativitytheory · in r/SampleSize · 2 years ago

I am a student at Purdue University who is currently conducting a survey to better understand consumer preferences and online shopping habits, with a specific focus on niche markets and unique products. Your participation in this survey will help me gather valuable insights for my research project.

The survey should only take approximately 2 minutes to complete. Your responses will be kept confidential and used only for the purposes of this study. There are no right or wrong answers, and we appreciate your honest feedback.

Survey Link: https://forms.gle/TjUhjpiAvJJKSiUM8

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