5 tips to always find the best deal

5 tips to always find the best deal

Want to consistently pay less without compromising on quality? Then five strategies together make the biggest difference: compare prices, buy at the right time, use cashback, find discount codes, and consider refurbished. This article walks you through each tip in detail — whether you are looking for a new smartphone, a vacuum cleaner or a smartwatch. Combine them and you can easily save hundreds of euros a year. Also check the current deals for products that are competitively priced right now.

Tip 1: Use a price comparison tool

This might sound obvious, but it is 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. On product pages you can also see the price trend over the past months — useful for judging whether the current price is genuinely low. That way you can see at a glance where you will pay the least.

What should you pay attention to?

• Shipping costs: A product might look cheaper, but if shipping costs are higher, you will 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.

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 is 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%

The percentages in this table are rough indications based on historical patterns — the actual saving always depends on the specific product and retailer.

Wait for a new model

A smart strategy: wait until a manufacturer announces a new model. The previous generation is then often discounted. This way, you can buy a top-tier phone for the price of a mid-range device. Follow the price trend on the product page to pick the right moment.

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 will get 45 euros back. Combine that with a competitive price via a price comparison tool, and you will save considerably more.

Note: Cashback does not 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 will often receive a welcome discount 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 does not 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 considerably 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 comparable performance to a new mid-range device — for a comparable 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 via the product page. 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 via the product page on Productvraag. You will then automatically receive a notification as soon as the price drops below your target. That way, you do not have to check daily and you will not miss a deal.

Summary

Tip	Savings potential
Price comparison	up to tens of euros per purchase
Right timing	15–60% (seasonal)
Cashback	2–10% back
Discount codes	5–20 euros per order
Refurbished	typically 20–40% cheaper than new

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

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 price trend over the past months — you can see this on the product page on Productvraag. Some webshops inflate the recommended retail price shortly before Black Friday to make the discount seem bigger. Read more in our Black Friday tips and strategy guide.

When does it pay to wait for a new model?

When a manufacturer announces or launches a new version, the price of the previous generation often drops considerably. Keep an eye on product pages and set a price alert so you do not miss the price dip.