Shopping online can save landlords a fortune

Shopping online can save landlords a fortune

9:57 AM, 6th January 2011, About 13 years ago 3

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Property investors refurbishing and furnishing homes to let can cut costs by searching online for bargains.

Savvy property people are already buying big ticket items like kitchens and bathrooms from online stores. E-Bay is the traditional home of the penny-pincher and still attracts millions of buyers and sellers.

But Google is fast becoming the best place to source bargains.

The secret is understanding how to root out the cheapest goods and services.

For example, the Samsung  RL38SCSW 11.3 cubic metre fridge freezer is advertised as a £377 ‘web special’ at Comet plus £20.37 delivery, making a total of £397.37 – but the same fridge freezer is nearly 14% cheaper at Boots online, including £19.99 delivery.

The easiest way to find a bargain is to use a web site like Comet as a catalogue, or even visit the store to select the product you want. Then take down the make and model and type that in to Google and click search.

Beating Comet’s ‘web special’ by £57 in minutes

Google will then return all the web sites selling that item in the UK and all you have to do is check through until you find the cheapest.

Don’t forget the delivery and VAT tricks – some sites do not make these extra charges clear.

Make sure you have included all the add-ons and simply opt for the cheapest.

In fact, within five minutes, searching through Google revealed one seller offering the Samsung RL38SCSW for just £320 plus £19.99 for delivery. That’s a saving of £57.38 on the Comet ‘web special’ price and the firm promises to deliver on the same day as Comet as well.

The Samsung comes with the same maker’s guarantees and warranties whoever you buy from.

The same money-saving principle works for buying any expensive goods online – but you will find that when you add the price of delivery to cheaper items, it’s just as cost effective to buy locally.

NOTE: These prices and offers were checked as correct on January 5, 2011 and may be subject to change at short notice.


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Comments

10:34 AM, 14th January 2011, About 13 years ago

As time is also important I use a FREE AP that works with your Google (or any other engine) Search to save trawling through the pages for the cheapest price!! It does all that for you!!
To download it for FREE just go to http://www.genie4free.com/39209 and enter your name and email address.

16:49 PM, 17th January 2011, About 13 years ago

I have extensively used on-line purchasing to get the best deals for my refurbishments. I would also suggest using a cash back site too to and a credit card with points or money back incentive to gain even more back with every purchase.

I would add, that it takes time, especially if you are bidding on e-bay so start early, If I am furnishing a property I start bidding and storing the furniture at the same time as the refurb starts. This does mean storing the furniture / appliances and it also means that all the colour schemes have to be decided.

Consolidating purchases to a few on-line stores is also well worth considering as a way to gain loyalty points.

Happy shopping, Jenna

19:19 PM, 17th January 2011, About 13 years ago

Hi Jenna

Thank for for commenting.

I'm sure that thousand of our other readers would, like me, enjoy reading more about your refurbishment projects and picking up additional tips if you fancy sharing. We are now running a guest Blog article section. Would you be interested in writing a piece for this? If so please email me personally mra@themoneycentre.com.

Regards

Mark Alexander

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