Holiday gift dawdlers. The malls are filled with them, and the Internet is abuzz with their last-minute clicks. If you're among those still shopping for gifts and you've got mobile gadgets on your list, take a deep breath and read on. I've got three tips to help you save money during the pre-Christmas rush--or any time of year, for that matter.
1. Use in-store QR codes. Increasingly, brick & mortar retailers are posting QR codes in stores, which provide more information—and sometimes lower prices—for products. For example, on a recent trip to a Best Buy in San Francisco, I discovered prices that were $30 or $40 higher for digital cameras than the prices on Best Buy’s site, which I quickly obtained by snapping the cameras' QR codes with my iPhone. In both cases, I showed the lower price to store employees, and they matched the lower prices.
2. Search for promo codes. Before you click to purchase that new gadget, do a Google search to see if there is a promo code you can use. If you’re planning to buy an HP laptop, Google the phrase hp promo code or hp coupon code. Similarly, you might check to see if there are promo codes for a particular retailer, like best buy promo code.
3. Always save the packaging. Given the short shelf life of today’s electronics, it’s a good idea to hold onto the box a gadget came in along with its contents (including DVDs, cables, and such). You’ll get more money for your device when you sell it later on eBay or Amazon.
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