Free Shipping Day is December 14

As many saw prices for goods go up, shipping rates have also been increased – especially for the holiday season.

Thankfully, Wednesday, December 14 marks Free Shipping Day.

And according to a recent survey conducted by TopCashback.com (TopCashback), the USA’s most generous cash back site, 86% of Americans will look elsewhere for a gift if shipping is too expensive, and 34% of Americans said that they would spend between $0.01 to $5 at most for shipping a gift.

The survey polled a cross-section of 2,910 adults, aged 18 and over.

‘Tis the Season for Shipping

Do you ever change your mind about buying a gift because the shipping takes too long?

• Yes (84%)
• No (16%)

(if “yes”) How long are you willing to wait for shipping?

• 4-6 days (48%)
• 1-2 weeks (35%)
• 1-3 days (13%)
• 3-4 weeks (3%)
• More than 4 weeks (1%)

Whether you’re looking to buy one last gift or still need to do the majority of your shopping, here are five tips on how to save on shipping this holiday season from Rebecca Gramuglia, consumer expert at TopCashback.

• Know the holiday return policy. While some returns can be made at the physical store, sometimes a retailer may be too far away or only online. If that’s the case, you’ll likely need to ship the product back in order to return it. Check the return policy to see if there is a fee associated with this or if the retailer offers free shipping on returns. Keep in mind that the return window may be extended through the season, too. Knowing these points prior to buying the item is important to help eliminate any holiday-related headaches later on.
• Compare prices and rates. The price on your item may be the same at different retailers, but you should also include shipping rates in your decision on where to complete your purchase. One retailer may offer free shipping while others may not. And of course, make sure you’re layering on the savings by stacking coupons and credit card rewards, as well as shopping through a cash back site, like TopCashback, to guarantee the highest percentage of your money back on purchases at over 7,000 retailers including Macy’s, Zappos, Dell and more.
• Buy online, pick up in-store. If you prefer to see an item in-person or you want to avoid shipping costs completely, look to purchase your item(s) online for in-store/curbside pickup. That way, you can see the item when you pick it up and decide if you’d like to return it while you’re physically there to save time and avoid return fees. You’ll also avoid increased shipping fees or potential shipping delays for the item.
• Be aware of shipping deadlines. The closer you get to the holidays, the more expensive shipping may be. Free Shipping Day typically marks a “last call” on standard shipping for packages to be delivered by Christmas Eve. If you aren’t sure when the retailer’s shipping deadlines are, look to see if they have a “Shipping” or “Returns” section on their website to find out more information.
• Keep it digital. Rather than worrying about shipping and returns, opt to send your gift digitally. Consider shopping through TopCashback Gift Cards where you can score cash back on digital gift cards from over 300 retailers, including Sephora, Target and Best Buy.