Shopping from a store that sells cheap items is exciting. It gives you more bang for your buck, and your money will have a long way to go.
To help you in your online shopping, here we have 13 of the cheapest online stores in the United States. But before we dive into that, it makes sense if we first talk about safety.
This way, you will not fall victim to false advertisers, posting their products like as if they are of high quality, only to find out later that their prices are also a reflection of bad products.
Three Ways to Keep Yourself Safe
Here are some important reminders when shopping at cheap online stores to void being scammed.
Shipping Price
Some shopping stores are cheap. In fact, many will sell a valuable item for as low as a dollar. But to your surprise, you have to pay for a high amount for shipping fees.
This is ridiculous. The thing is, the shipping cost they are charging you already covers the actual capital and profit for the product you bought.
Quality
Are the products of great quality? If you read the online store’s review within the online store, chances are you do not see the real deal. Most web store operators have the capability to hide unpleasant reviews.
What you have to do is to investigate carefully. You need to go to social media channels or look for bloggers that have posted a truthful review about the online store.
Site Security
Is the site secure? You will know this if the store has a site security badge. If you see trusted names there like McAfee, VeriSign, and others like that, then you are protected. Do not rely on a badge from Visa, Mastercard, or other credit cards, as these badges can be faked.
Cheapest Clothing Stores
1. H&M
H&M is a popular brand that is focused on fashion for both genders and for kids. Online, you will find a myriad of products from different categories.
Below are some examples:
- Dresses
- Jumpsuits
- Hoodies
- Sweatshirts
- Pants
- Shirts
- Swimsuits
The site has thousands of products, and a lot of them are cheap. H&M is a world-renowned brand. Here, you can buy clothing for as little as $8. But that does not mean that the clothes are bad; H&M produces high-quality clothing.
Shipping is around $4, but you will get free shipping if you hit a purchase worth $40. Anything below $40 will cost $3.99. Shipping typically takes 5-7 business days in the US, but international shipments will take longer.
You can return the items for free, but you have to find a physical location. If you return the product through shipping, you have to pay $5.99.
2. Forever 21
Forever 21 is a global brand that mainly focuses on women’s clothing. Although you can find other fashion items for men and children, there aren’t so many options for both as it is with women.
There are thousands of items here, and you will find all sorts of clothes.
Examples are:
- Activewear
- Bodysuits
- Wedding dresses
- Rompers
- Jackets
- Lingerie
- Sleepwear
- Swimwear
A sale is always on this site, so you need to browse it often to find the best deals. At Forever 21, you can buy clothes for as little as $13, but there is no standardized shipping rate.
US customers are entitled to free shipping only if they met the target purchase cost of $40.
Returns are only applicable for in-store purchases. What this means is that you can only get a refund if you made the purchase from a Forever 21 physical store.
If you bought an item online, you could only ask for a refund if you paid using PayPal. However, you must also present a shipping receipt. You will not receive a cash refund, but you will be given a store credit, which you can use on your next purchase.
Related: Top 21 High Quality Wholesale Boutique Clothing Suppliers (US/UK/China)
3. American Eagle Outfitters
This company has been around for a while. It specializes in jeans for both men and women. If you shop here, you can return the items to the store for free.
Apart from jeans, the store also sells underwear and swimsuits for women. The shipping is free, provided that you meet at least $50 on your purchase. If not, the average cost of the shipping fee is about $7.
The company, commonly referred to as AEO, has a mobile app that makes it easy for shoppers to buy. AEO can only sell to you if you are a member, so you need to sign up for an account.
As a member, you will enjoy lots of discounts regularly. Plus, you will get entitles to store rewards.
AEO has several online stores that cater to different countries. What this means is that there can be products in the US that are not available in Asia.
4. Superdry
Superdry is a cool brand that sells Americana clothing, mainly targeted teens and youngsters. The design of the clothes are inspired by Japanese themes, and the clothes here can cost as little as $10.
You will frequently see promotions in the form of buy-two-get-one, and the shipping is always free. The company also offers free returns, but this only applies to the UK and Ireland. Also, you can enjoy free returns if you are from the US and if you use UPS.
Some examples of the products you will find here are:
- Jackets
- Shirts
- Tops
- Bottoms
- Swimwear
- Boots
Some people may think that the products are costly. They are at least $24 apiece. But if you think about it, you will get three pieces of clothing for the price of two. And if you consider the free shipping, then you can begin to imagine that the clothes here are cheap.
5. Zaful
This is an online store where you can find the most fashionable clothing for women. It has a long list of products, and there is always a sale.
Some examples of the products you will find are:
- Swimwear
- Tops
- Bottoms
- Party dresses
- Jackets
- Coats
- Activewear
- Accessories
Here, you can buy two clothes for as little as $18, and some clothes for as little as $6.99. It accepts a lot of payment options, but PayPal is preferred. In fact, new members can get discounts if they use PayPal as their payment option.
In the United States, shipping is free if you meet the minimum purchase order of $99. Otherwise, you will be paying $12.99. This applies to the express shipping which will take only 3 to 7 days to deliver.
If you want a lower shipping rate, you need to check out with standard shopping, which costs $3.99, but free if you meet a purchase requirement of $49.
Cheapest Electronic and Furniture Online Stores
6. Newegg
This is an international company that has been around for 20 years. Here, you can buy storage devices, computer components, gaming and networking peripherals, and parts for electronic gadgets like remote control cars.
With Newegg, you can buy a gift card and send it to a friend or family member. With the card, he can buy any stuff he wants from the website.
The products here are so cheap that you can buy a gaming laptop like the ASUS ROG for only $1,800. The selling price of the same laptop in the market is at least $2,000.
If you received a defective electronic product, you could return the item but only if you have something called Return Merchandise Authorization. You can have this number if you contact customer service and verify that your product was bought from NewEgg.
The shipping cost is free if your order is delivered in the United States, but different countries have varying shipping rates. You also have the option to buy a warranty for the products you bought.
7. Swappa
If you are looking for refurbished gadgets, then Swappa is a site you want to visit. It sells refurbished smartphones, cameras, tablets, and many more.
These refurbished phones are compatible with leading carriers like AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile. For as little as $155, you can now own an iPhone 6S, while the brand new will cost you $349.
Apart from phones and tablets, you can also find laptops here. Swappa is not a corporate business, but rather a marketplace where buyers and sellers meet.
Think of it as eBay or Craigslist, but only for electronics. Shipping varies from one seller to another, but there is a lot of buyer and seller protection policies that keep the marketplace safe.
8. TigerDirect
This is a company that is based in the United States. The products here are branded, and you will be surprised to find many electronic products that cover a wide range of categories.
Here, you can buy cheap goods like:
- Computers
- Monitors
- Networking devices
- Printers
- Storage devices
- Cameras for surveillance
However, the electronic items you can fund here are refurbished. And you cannot buy in bulk. There are many products where a customer is limited to buy only one, which means this sit is a retailer and you cannot use it for dropshipping.
Also, TigerDirect only ships to the US and Canada, and the shipping cost will vary from one location to another.
Also: How to Sell Jewelry Online: This Is My Favourite Way (Here’s Why)
9. Overstock
Overstock has been around since 1999. Here, you can find the best deals for your house. Most of the things sold here are kitchenware and bath ware.
Overstock is a website where you can buy:
- Rugs
- Décor
- Bed and Bath
- Outdoor stuff
There are two types of shipping that you can pay for. The first one is an international express, and the second is the international economy. The shipping cost varies per country, and Overstock ships to more than 180 countries.
Typically, the shipping will take 1 to 5 days for international express, while the international economy will take 3 to 15 days. The company will take 2 to 4 days to find the item you bought before it is packaged and shipped.
Upon purchase, you can also pay for insurance. The usual cost is 2% of the cost of the item you bought, but you also have the option not to have one.
Cheapest Toy and Camping Stores
10. Learning Express Toys
This company is an online store that sells mostly unbranded toys. You can find all kinds of toys for all ages, such as puzzles, pool toys, LOL dolls, and doll houses.
The company is not just online, as it has a physical presence in the United States. When you go to the website, you can look for the section where you can find a physical store near you.
If you do not want to visit the land-based locations, you can order the toys online. If you do, you can filter the toys by age brackets, and you will get free shipping if your total purchase is more than $75. However, oversized products can cost additional shipping fees.
The company does not offer international shipping.
The store also offers gift cards. You can buy them and give them to your loved ones. They can use the card’s financial value in the online store or a land-based one.
11. Kidding Around
This toy store is located in New York. It sells toys both online and offline through its physical locations. The site has a lot of toys from puzzles to wooden blocks and stuffed teddy bears.
Kidding Around has been around for 20 years. It is one of those toy shops that competed with Toys R Us when it was not yet bankrupt. It has received several awards like the Best Indie Toy Store in NYC by New York Magazine, and it has been featured in American TV Shows.
Upon purchase, you can ask the store management to gift wrap it before shipping. Gift wrapping is free, but you have to check the box that says “please gift wrap this item” upon your checkout. You can choose a ribbon and add a simple message, too.
Shipping is only for US addresses, and the company uses UPS Ground. It can take as much as seven days before the item is packaged and shipped. Shipping is not free, and the cost will vary by the size and weight of the toy.
12. Cabela’s
This is a shop for camping enthusiasts. Located in Nebraska, this website has thousands of products that are all related to hunting, fishing, and everything else about adventure.
Examples of products can find here are:
- Archery
- Game Calls
- Hinting accessories
- Decoys
- Handheld GPS
- 2-way radios
- Dog training supplies
- Trapping supplies
For as little as $50, you can own a 2-way radio that you can use while camping, which is a necessity if you go to a place where there is no signal for your phone.
The site also has physical locations. If you want to check the items in person, you can go to the store before making a purchase. To find a store near you, just go to the website and type your location.
There is always a sale ongoing, but shipping is free if your purchase is about $50. However, this promotion is only available to US customers. Those who order internationally will have to pay for shipping cost, which will vary according to location and package dimensions.
13. Eco Camping Shop
If you are into camping but not hunting, you can take visit Eco Camping Shop, a store that is dedicated to tents and safety gears for outdoor use.
For as low as $12, you can buy a pair of sturdy boots that you can use when hiking a mountain. If you visit the store, you will find that there are so many high-quality products here that are offered up to 50% discount.
Shipping is not free, and will only be calculated upon checkout.
Summary
Shopping online does not have to be expensive. The truth is, the products should be cheaper than the ones found in a brick-and-mortar store because the online sellers do not really have to pay rent on mall spaces.
Shop cheaply, but always choose quality over quantity. And most importantly, shop safely.