Online Shopping for Cables: Tips to Save Time and Money

Online shopping can make it easy to find the cables you need without the hassle of leaving your home or office. However, there are still some drawbacks to shopping online rather than in person at your local computer store or electronics retailer. Follow these tips to buy cables online and they will save you time and money and keep you from making regrettable purchases.

1. Research the exact cables you need.

Before you buy, be sure to research which type of cable will work for your needs and what brand is being offered at the best price. You can use free online tools such as Google Alerts to keep tabs on current cable prices in stores and online.

2. Buy from reputable sites with good return policies.

If you’re shopping for computer cables (or any other type of product) for business purposes, it’s a good idea to buy from a reputable website. This will protect your company if there is any problem with the purchase or if an item gets lost in transit. Look for a return policy that will allow you to easily return the purchase if necessary.

3. Check the delivery date before placing an order.

If you need a cable to work on a specific date, be sure to order in advance. You don’t want to place an order and then find out it will take several business days to deliver your cables when you need them right away. If you have an urgent project, confirm with the seller how long it will take them to process your order and begin shipping, so you aren’t caught off guard at the last minute.

4. Look for free shipping offers or expedited shipping options.

Some providers offer free shipping on a limited number of orders, either for a set period of time or for a specific dollar amount. Look for these dollar amounts to be as close to the total cost of the order as possible. A few dollars saved on shipping can help offset some of the extra cost you will pay if there is an issue with your purchase and it needs to be returned.

5. Take advantage of out-of-stock warnings and other alerts.

Like with other online purchases, you can receive out-of-stock alerts via email and phone calls. This will alert you before your purchase is even placed that the item you need is not in stock at their store or warehouse. With this information, you can contact the vendor to find out when the item will be available again so that you’re not caught off guard.

6. Compare cable prices for exact same cables at different stores or online.

If your company uses its own proprietary cables, be sure to compare cable prices from multiple vendors to get the best deal possible on a pair of identical cables. This is especially important if you need cables for your office that are compatible with your company’s hardware.

7. Know the difference between USB, pin, and serial cables.

USB and serial cables connect directly from one computer to another. Pin and Ethernet cables perform similar functions, but they’re used as network connections instead of between computers. Be sure to know the differences between these types of cables before you shop around for cable deals.

Online shopping will undoubtedly save you money. However, be smart about it. Be sure to check the above tips before you place an order and do your research to prevent potential mistakes. There are many online resources, including Google Alerts and Wikipedia that can keep you informed and up-to-date on the latest cable deals to help make sure you get what you need.