I tend to think I’m pretty tech-savvy…at least until I leave my house. All around me I see folks tapping and typing and talking away, using a wealth of apps and add-ons and gadgets—so many I would need another lifetime to try them all! So I’ve decided that my go-to technology strategy will remain as it always has been. I will purchase a new device (phone, laptop, tablet, etc.) when I really need one. Then I will use it until it a) disappears or wears out, b) the software is no longer supported by its manufacturer, or c) somebody begs for permission to buy me a new one. If you find that one (or more) of these conditions applies to you, this list can help you find coupons and codes, sales and discounts, clearance and close-out items, refurbished products that are like-new, and many more ways to afford the new technology you need right when you need it.
A handy short-term inbox strategy
Unless you purchase new technology frequently, you will likely want to guard against your inbox getting cluttered with IT-specific offers, deals and news. These three tips can help:
- Set up a separate email: If you set up a specific email just for your technology-coupon search, you won’t have IT-related email cluttering up your main inbox.
- Set up email inbox routing: Route all tech-related email to a specific folder to read when you have time.
- Select either text or email: When you join a loyalty club, you can select how you receive information. Here, think “either/or” not “and” to keep from receiving duplicate alerts.
There are plenty of ways to connect to your favorite technology companies so you never miss a special coupon, sale, discount, deal or shipping offer. Here are some of our favorite ways to connect.
1. Dell
- Sign-up perks: Get a best price guarantee, extra discounts on sale products, exclusive monthly offers, up to 10% back in rewards, presale VIP invitations, and free 2nd day shipping.
- Website: http://www.dell.com
- Outlet: http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/22/campaigns/outlet
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dell
- Digital coupons and codes: http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/6099/campaigns/dell-coupons-codes-us-eep
- Member purchase program: Sign up (for employees, students, military, government, healthcare, credit union/association, educators)
- Dell Advantage program: Sign up (for everyone!)
2. Apple
- Sign-up perks: Free shipping for all orders $50+, students can pay monthly with no interest and 90 day deferred terms, $50-$100 gift card when you buy for college
- Website: http://store.apple.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AppStore
- Refurbished/Clearance: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals
- Students: http://store.apple.com/us-hed/browse/campaigns/back_to_school
- Educators: http://store.apple.com/us-hed/browse/campaigns/education_pricing
- Online store exclusive offers: http://store.apple.com/us-hed/help/online_store_exclusives
3. HP (Hewlett Packard)
- Sign-up perks: Special members-only rewards and offers, 10% off printing (Print Rewards), free shipping, contest and sweepstakes notices
- Website: http://www.shopping.hp.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HP
- Deals newsletter: https://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/sign_in.do
- My Print Rewards: http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/my-print-rewards/Start
- Students-Only (weekly featured deals): http://shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/static/page-bts
4. NewEgg
- Sign-up perks: Advance notice of 24-hour online sales, sweepstakes, special deals
- Website: http://www.newegg.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Newegg
- Apps: Free apps for iOS, Android, Windows, and more
- Email/Text club: Sign up
5. TigerDirect
- Sign-up perks: Notice of 24-hour and weekly sales and deals, sweepstakes and contests
- Website: http://www.tigerdirect.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TigerDirect
- Email/Text club: Sign up
6. Toshiba
- Sign-up perks: Weekly specials, discounts, deals, free upgrade offers, clearance price alerts, coupons
- Website: http://www.toshiba.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToshibaInnovation
- Coupons: http://www.toshiba.com/us/coupons
- Email/Text club: Sign up
7. Micro Center
- Sign-up perks: Special offers and deals
- Website: http://www.microcenter.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MicroCenter
- Email/Text club: Sign up
- Closeout deals: http://www.microcenter.com/site/products/closeout.aspx
- Refurbished deals: http://www.microcenter.com/site/products/refurbished.aspx
8. Fry’s Electronics
- Sign-up perks: Get the weekly deals and specials, plus information about contests.
- Websites: http://www.frys.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fryselectronics
- Email/Text club: Sign up
9. ThinkGeek
- Sign-up perks: Advance notice of special sales, discounts and clearance items (newsletter), 10 points = $1 spent to earn free rewards (Geek Points club)
- Website: http://www.thinkgeek.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thinkgeek
- Clearance center: http://www.thinkgeek.com/clearance/
- Email newsletter: Sign up
- Geek Points club: Sign up
10. Dynamism
- Sign-up perks: Get advance notice of sales, closeouts and deals.
- Website: http://www.dynamism.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dynamismcom
- Close-outs and demo sales items: http://www.dynamism.com/#CloseOutSales=54
- Email/Text club: Sign up (enter your email in the box on the homepage)
