People have asked me how I get the best deal possible on the purchase of new boots. Following are my "secrets" which aren't really secret, but may not be known or practiced by some.
1. If a pair of boots comes to my attention that I would like to have, I get the manufacturer name, model name, and stock number (if I can find it).
2. I use a search engine, like Google, and enter the information about the boots. For example, "Justin Bent Rail Buckaroo."
3. I read the results that are presented on various websites, but I generally avoid the first three results at the top, which are paid advertisements and not necessarily the least expensive source.
4. If I find a good price, I note the seller and I bookmark the page. But I don't buy YET!
5. I visit the websites of my favourite boot retailers. Links to these boot retailers are on my website. I check to see if my favourite retailers carry the boots and what their price is. They may or may not carry the boots, and if they do, they may not always come up in a search. So it's always a good idea to check your favorites when you have something with which to compare them. (From Step 4.)
6. I generally avoid buying boots from Sheplers, because their shipping charges are outrageous. However, sometimes they are the only source of a certain brand and style of boots. They are a great retailer and have excellent customer service. I just wish their shipping charges weren't double what their competitors charge, such as Bootbarn.com. Also, it should be noted that Sheplers runs a sale every week now. Don't fall for their email promotions that say, "only 3 days left!" Ha! The next week, the email changes to "only 6 days to go!" They run a perpetual sale, so their promotions have lost credibility and the sense of urgency.
7. When I have narrowed the potential sources down to two or three, I then use Google again and type in "Discount Coupon XXX" where "XXX" is the name of the on-line retailer. Many times, I have come up with an active, working, on-line discount coupon from a retailer that gives me an additional 10%, 15%, or even 20% off the listed "sale" price. This step is important, and can save you a LOT of money!
8. I then compare shipping charges among the top two or three on-line retail choices. Sometimes, like the example above with Sheplers, the boots may cost a little less, but the shipping will make the final total higher. Factor in all costs, including whether you have to pay sales tax. (For example, if you live in California and buy from Bootbarn.com, you have to pay local sales tax. If you live in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, or other states where Sheplers has a brick-and-mortar store, you have to pay sales tax.) Go through the motions of placing an order to determine what the final price will be, including all taxes and shipping fees, as well as applicable discounts.
9. If the on-line retailer that offers the best price is not one with which I have experience, then I will take an extra precautionary step. I will go back to google, and enter "XXX consumer complaints" where "XXX" is the name of the retailer. I want to see if there are serious complaints about the company from multiple people. A single rant from one dissatisfied person is not enough to scare me away. But multiple legitimate complaints may cause me to order elsewhere.
This process can be a little arduous or time-consuming, but it can save anywhere from US$20 - $100 on a pair of new boots. Since boots will last a long time, the time you put into shopping for a good price is worth it.
Life is short: enjoy your boots!
1 comment:
You might also consider the retailer's policy for returns? Mistakes such as sending the incorrect size, color, or even boot are known to happen. Does the retailer handle shipping charges for items that must be returned? Also remember that when ordering items sight unseen, you just may not like the look or fit of the boots. A bargain is only a bargain if you end up with the boots you really want.
Kevin
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