Even savvy shoppers might be struggling with shopping for essential items during the current Coronavirus situation. Supplies are running low. Some products are difficult or impossible to find, making it very frustrating for many of us. With social distancing and the recommendation to stay home when possible, online shopping is the first line of defense for reducing the hassle and risks of going to the store in search of groceries and important household items.

Since I usually do most of our shopping online and will continue as we head into hurricane season, I thought I’d share some helpful tips and tricks for online shopping during the coronavirus outbreak. Many of these tips are applicable all the time, not just during a pandemic!

These are my observations and recommendations based on my own experiences–your mileage may vary. Also, buying a few extra is okay, but please do not hoard or stockpile beyond a reasonable supply for your family. This could lead to even more shortages for everyone.

Why shopping online is better during Coronavirus

Although it may not always be possible to shop from home, it’s the safer option because it minimizes your exposure to people, air and surfaces that may be contagious or spread the virus. If you must shop in person, just be safe and follow all the recommendations from the experts as well as any local orders. #masksforall has some very helpful information about wearing masks for safety during the coronavirus outbreak. Keep in mind that many places we usually shop are closed or have limited hours and lines to get in, so sometimes online shopping is the only option.

Besides the safety factor, shopping online from home makes it easier to know what’s in stock and what sold out by searching many stores without the hassles and frustrations of wasting time and gas hunting for what you need. It’s also easier to compare prices and to buy large quantities without having to lug them home yourself. It also makes it easier to be organized and thoughtful about what you’re buying. Many friends have said that going into stores, seeing empty shelves and people with full carts, has led to panic buying things they didn’t originally intend to buy. Avoid all that when you can and just shop from home when practical.

If you do need stuff ASAP, you can often order online and use curbside picking so you don’t have to leave your car. Petco.com and Target.com both have this feature on their websites, as do many major retailers.

Tips for safe online shopping during any disaster or emergency

Avoid fraud and scams by using reputable websites that you know and trust or that friends and family have used themselves. Look for the padlock on the left in the address bar of the browser window because that means that the website you’re shopping on is using secure encryption methods. Try to always use a credit card instead of a debit card or other payment methods for extra protection in case you have to dispute a charge later.

Be skeptical and cautious of emails that you receive or ads that you see on social media. Identity theft is always an increased concern during an uncertain time like this.  Even when shopping on big sites like Amazon or Walmart, it’s important to look and make sure you’re buying directly from the website itself because many allow 3rd party sellers who can charge whatever they want, and there’s no real way to know the quality or whether the products they are selling are even authentic. Price gouging and the selling of inferior and counterfeit products are on the rise during any crisis, so just be aware of who you are buying from and what you’re buying.

Tips for meeting minimum requirements for free shipping

Most sites offer free shipping if you spend a certain amount. It is always better to buy a few extra items than to pay for shipping. Before shopping online, make a list of all the items you want to stock up on or that your family uses on a regular basis. These items can be used to add to cart to meet the minimum required for free shipping even if you hadn’t originally intended to buy them this time. Certain popular products like hand sanitizer and toilet paper may have a limit on the quantity you can purchase ,making it harder to meet the free shipping minimum.

This is when it really comes in handy to have some ideas of everyday items that you’ll use written down ahead of time so that you can fill your cart with smart purchases and avoid paying shipping charges. Some examples of great filler items include aluminum foil, condiments like mayo, ketchup, mustard, pantry items like salt, sugar, flour, light bulbs, batteries, dog treats, laundry detergent, dish soap, dryer sheets, Q-tips, deodorant, contact lens solution, make up removing wipes. Basically anything that you use on a regular basis makes a great filler item to raise your cart’s total to qualify for free shipping, if you need to add something to get there. Some sites also offer promo codes for free shipping, so look for those on Google if you don’t want to spend the minimum.

Tips for finding popular and scarce items

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