In this post I am going to share 5 tips about buying and researching products online. This could save you money and make sure you don’t buy a dud.

1) Peer Reviews

Now before you decide to buy something online use the power of the web to do your homework.

Find a product review of your item, written by a peer user like yourself.

Tip: in Google type in the name or model number of your item followed by word “review”

Examples of good peer review sites: Amazon, Cnet etc.

2) Identifying Known Problems

Ok so you have read a couple of good reviews and you are eager to purchase, but hold on.

Do one last check to see if there any known problems with your item.

Find the products technical support site and have a quick read. If they have support forums take a moment to see the issues other users are having.

Tip: Search Google for your model number and the word “Problems” or “issues”

3) Use Price Comparison Sites

Ok, so now you are 100% informed about your item. All you now need to do is get the best price.

Use one of the many price comparison web sites to help find you a good deal.

Now this is a double edged sword, as you will no doubt find retailers you have never heard of with the best price. However use your judgement, research the retailer (some comparison sites have ratings). Or just visit the retailers site and make a judgement.

Tip: Always check the stock availability of your item, and read the retailers payment policy. For example some retailers take payment at the time of order even if they don’t have stock

Here are few comparison sites.

Google Product Search: http://www.google.co.uk/prdhp?oe=UTF-8&hl=en&tab=wf&q=

Pricerunner: http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/

Kelkoo: http://www.kelkoo.co.uk/

4) Retailer Discount Codes

Now you have identified a retailer do a quick Google search and see if they have any promotional offers like discount codes.

Tip: Search Google for the retailers name and the words “Discount”, “Discount Codes” or “offers”.

5) Bargain Forums

No doubt you have someone in your life who always gets the best online deals. Chances are they check out bargain forums. These are dedicated forums online that aggregate all the best deals.

Here are a couple of sites:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/ 

They have many forums, but the shopping section is down at the bottom.

http://www.thedvdforums.com/ Registration Required.

The title of the site is misleading, the main site is about DVD’s but the bargain forums cover everything from cheap alcohol to Hi-Def Televisions.

If you have additional tips please share them in the comments.