Finding deals and sales can be a major time suck: scouring websites, clipping coupons and waiting for the right promotions. But with the holiday season and retail events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday on the horizon, scouting for under-the-radar deals in the earlier fall months can pay off and make the holiday shopping grind a little less stressful. Luckily, the online retail space is an easy-to-navigate resource for finding coupons and exclusive sales. Our friends at RetailMeNot, Savings.com and BeFrugal are tried-and-true sites for coupon codes, printable coupons and freebies.
GOBankingRates compiled a list of deals, promotions, sales and freebies heading into fall, as well as advice for shopping with the nation’s biggest online retailer.
Amazon at the Forefront of Online Retail
Like many Americans, you might studiously browse internet retailers in the coming months for the best deals on electronics, clothes, books, and gifts for the holiday season. With Amazon leading U.S. online retail sales last year at $67.9 billion (compared to $10 billion at Walmart), there is no doubt as to who dominates the online retail space. And while Walmart saw a greater percentage increase in online sales than Amazon last year, it is safe to say Amazon is still the first choice for most consumers who decide to shop from the comfort of their homes. If you find yourself browsing Amazon’s endless virtual aisles this fall, keep the following tips in mind.
Amazon Prime and Student
Want access to free two-day shipping, not to mention access to millions of songs, movies, and e-books? Sign up for a one-month free trial of Amazon Prime before you start your fall shopping. Not only will you save on shipping, but you can decide whether Amazon Prime’s periphery services are worth the $99 per year.
Are you a student? Sign up for six months of Amazon Student, and get access to free two-day shipping (an Amazon Prime perk) as well as exclusive student deals and offers. If you enjoy your six months, you can then choose to upgrade to Amazon Prime at a 50 percent discount.
Amazon Coupon Codes
Enter code N285CZB3 at checkout for 50 percent off all Cush iPhone 6 cases through Sept. 30.
Enter code WHATADEAL at checkout for 20 percent off select baby gear, good through Sept. 30.
Fall Sales, Freebies and Coupon Codes
Electronics
Staples: Enter code 94678 at checkout for 20 percent off HP ink and toner cartridges through Sept. 27.
Clothing, Apparel and Shoes
Dick's Sporting Goods: Get 20 to 25 percent off select NFL merchandise via RetailMeNot.
Eddie Bauer: Get up to 50 percent off during the store's Fall Sale, excluding clearance items. Promo code TOPAZ will get you free shipping through Sept. 22.
Express: Enter code 9676 for 15 percent off your entire online purchase, or use this coupon for 15 percent off in stores through Sept. 30.
Hanna Andersson: Get up to 40 percent off fall favorites.
J. Crew: Through Sept. 24, the code SHOPFORFALL will take 25 percent off select regular-price items, as well as 30 percent off final sale items.
Kohl's: Get $10 off your purchase of $50 or more with code FALLTRENDS. Code applies to women's shoes, handbags, fashion jewelry and accessories, and is good through Sept. 22.
Sears: Code SEPTFALL will get you 10 to 15 percent off clothing and accessories at regular and sale prices.
Urban Outfitters: Enter code FALL2014 for 10 percent off any purchase through Sept. 30.
Walmart: Buy one pair of prescription sunglasses and get a second for 20 percent off with this coupon through Sept. 30.
Health and Fitness
Bodybuilding.com: Enter code 5OFF100 at checkout for $5 off any purchase of $100 or more.
REI: Enter code JOINREI for a free $20 gift card when you purchase $100 or more in merchandise and pay $20 to sign up for a lifetime membership by Sept. 30. Also take advantage of daily savings on different REI Outlet categories through Sept. 23.
Vehicle Service and Parts
Autotire, Mr. Tire and Tread Quarters: If you happen to live near one of these service centers, print out these coupons for a free TPMS check, flat tire repair, and tire inspection and rotation through Sept. 30.
Sears: Enter coupon code HOTROD for an extra $40 off your purchase of $400 or more on automotive tires and accessories through Oct. 4.
Back to School
Amazon: Save up to 70 percent on back-to-school deals through Sept. 27.
Best Buy: Sign up with a .edu email address and save up to $100 on Apple laptops and other popular products.
Nordstrom: Back-to-school clothing starts at $9 while supplies last.
Office Depot: Enter code 54379638 for $10 off any non-tech product purchase of $50 or more through Oct. 15.
Home Decor, Appliances and Furniture
Macy’s: Shop the department store's furniture sale for an extra 10 percent discount applied at checkout through Sept. 31.
Target: Enter code GETBULB at checkout for $1 off GE bulbs valid through Oct. 5.
Sears: Code SEARS50 will get you up to 30 percent off appliance super buys and free delivery on orders of $399 or more. Plus, you can get an extra $50 off purchase of $300 from RetailMeNot, good through Nov. 20.
General Retail
Kohl's: Through Oct. 5, get 15 percent off sitewide with code THANKS7427.
Target: Enter code TGLPTPHF at checkout for $5 off purchases of $50 or more through Oct. 31.
Beauty
Bath & Body Works: Enter code LOVEFALL10 for $10 off any order of $30 or more through Oct. 31.
Target: Get a free, $5 gift card with the purchase of three beauty products for a limited time.
Travel and Site Seeing
Bookit.com: Enter code RMN15 to save $15 on your stay for three consecutive nights or more at select resorts and hotels.
Smithsonian Museum Day Live: Visit this page, create an account and receive a free ticket for two at one of over 1,100 participating museums on Sept. 27.
Travelocity: The travel site's Fall into Savings promotion gives travelers 45 percent or more off select hotel stays.
U.S. National Parks: Free entry on Sept. 27 for National Public Lands Day, and on Nov. 11 for Veterans Day.
Food
7-Eleven: Text code SIXFLAGS to 711711 and cash in on a free medium slurpee through Dec. 31.
Einstein Bros: Present this coupon for a free bagel and shmear when you buy any drink at participating locations, valid through Oct. 1.
McDonalds: Get a free small coffee during breakfast hours (usually between 4 a.m. and 11 a.m.) at participating locations through Sept. 29.
Perkins Restaurant and Bakery: Enjoy a free stack of pancakes on Sept. 25 at participating locations.
Photo credit: Les Haines