5 tips to always find the best deal

We all like to spend a little less, but in the jungle of webshops, promotions and discount codes, it can be hard to see the wood for the trees. How do you actually know if you're getting a good deal? In this article, we share five practical tips that will help you save money consistently — without compromising on quality.

Whether you're looking for a new smartphone, a vacuum cleaner or a smartwatch: with this strategy, you'll always find the sharpest price.

Tip 1: Use a price comparison tool

This might sound obvious, but it's the single most important step: always compare prices before you buy anything. Price differences between webshops can run into tens of euros for the exact same product.

How does price comparison work?

A price comparison tool like Productvraag collects offers from dozens of webshops and displays them side by side in a clear overview. That way, you can see at a glance where you'll pay the least. The beauty of it: you don't have to trawl through all the shops yourself.

What should you pay attention to?

• Shipping costs: A product might look cheaper, but if shipping costs are higher, you'll end up paying more.
• Delivery time: Sometimes paying a few euros extra is worth it if you have the product at your door tomorrow.
• Webshop reliability: Look at reviews and trust marks such as Thuiswinkel Waarborg.

Check our current deals for products that are competitively priced right now.

Tip 2: Buy at the right time

Timing is everything when scoring the best price. Electronics and other products follow clear price cycles throughout the year.

The best times to buy

Period	What's cheap?	Expected discount
January (clearance)	Winter clothing, previous season electronics	20–50%
Amazon Prime Day (July)	Electronics, smart home	15–40%
Back to school (August)	Laptops, tablets, accessories	10–25%
Black Friday (November)	Everything, especially electronics	15–60%
Cyber Monday	Online deals, software	20–50%
Between Christmas and New Year	Remaining stock, display models	20–40%

Wait for a new model

A smart strategy: wait until a manufacturer announces a new model. The previous generation is then often heavily discounted. This way, you can buy a top-tier phone for the price of a mid-range device.

Tip 3: Take advantage of cashback

Cashback is one of the most underused ways to save money. Through cashback platforms, you receive a percentage of your purchase back after ordering via their link.

How does cashback work?

1. Sign up with a cashback platform (e.g. ShopBuddies, Scoupy or CashbackXL).
2. Click through to the webshop via the platform.
3. Place your order as normal.
4. After confirmation, you receive a percentage back — usually between 2% and 10%.

Example calculation

Say you buy a laptop for 900 euros with 5% cashback. You'll get 45 euros back. Combine that with a competitive price via a price comparison tool, and you'll easily save 100 euros or more.

Note: Cashback doesn't always work in combination with discount codes. Check the terms of the cashback platform.

Tip 4: Search for and use discount codes

Before you check out at a webshop, always take a moment to search for a discount code. It takes 30 seconds and can save you 5 to 20 euros.

Where do you find discount codes?

• Coupon sites: Websites like Kortingscode.nl and Acties.nl collect active codes.
• Newsletters: Sign up for webshop newsletters. You'll often receive a welcome discount of 5 to 10% straight away.
• Social media: Follow brands on Instagram or TikTok — they regularly share exclusive codes.
• Browser extensions: Extensions like Honey automatically search for working codes at checkout.

Stacking trick

Some webshops allow you to combine multiple promotions. Try stacking a discount code with a sale price or free shipping. This doesn't always work, but when it does, you save extra.

Tip 5: Consider refurbished products

Want a premium product but not the premium price tag? Then refurbished is a smart option. A refurbished product has been professionally inspected, repaired and cleaned — often as good as new, but up to 40% cheaper.

When is refurbished worth it?

Refurbished is especially popular for expensive products like smartphones and laptops. A refurbished flagship phone from last year often delivers the same performance as a new mid-range device — for the same price.

Read more about the pros and cons in our article on buying refurbished products.

Always compare the price

Not every refurbished deal is a good one. Always compare the refurbished price with the current new price. Sometimes the difference is small enough to go for new instead.

Bonus tip: set up price alerts

Want a specific product but the price is just a bit too high right now? Set up a price alert. Many price comparison tools, including Productvraag, offer the option to receive a notification as soon as the price drops below a certain amount. That way, you don't have to check daily and you won't miss a deal.

Summary

Tip	Savings potential
Price comparison	10–30% per purchase
Right timing	15–60% (seasonal)
Cashback	2–10% back
Discount codes	5–20 euros per order
Refurbished	20–40% cheaper

By combining these five tips, you can save hundreds of euros on an annual basis. Start comparing prices today on Productvraag and check out the current deals.

Frequently asked questions

Is the cheapest price always the best deal? Not necessarily. Also consider shipping costs, return policy, delivery time and the reliability of the webshop. Paying a few euros more at a trustworthy store can save you a lot of hassle down the line.

Does cashback also work on products that are already on sale? Usually yes, but not always in combination with discount codes. Always check the terms of the cashback platform. A smart approach is to use the cashback link first and then try a discount code at checkout.

How do I know if a Black Friday deal is genuinely a good deal? Compare the Black Friday price with the average price over the past few months. Some webshops inflate the recommended retail price shortly before Black Friday to make the discount seem bigger. A price comparison tool with price history helps you spot fake deals.