Friday, December 16 is Free Shipping Day 2016, when nearly 1,000 retailers will offer free shipping on almost everything on their website.
It is a great time to make those last minute holiday gift purchases, because in most cases you can still receive the item by Christmas, assuming it is in stock and ready to ship.
By Monday, you will have to pay more -- in many cases a lot more --because you will have to pay for expedited shipping. That could mean paying $25 to ship a small electronic item, or even clothing.
You can see all the retailers participating at FreeShippingDay.com.
Don't expect Black Friday deals
However, don't expect Black Friday or even Cyber Monday-type deals on Free Shipping Day.
As I explained in this previous report, most stores cannot afford to give both free shipping and huge markdowns at the same time. So forget about a 60 inch 4KTV for $300, with free shipping.
In addition, Amazondoes not participate, because Prime members always get free shipping on many items. However, Amazon will offer special deals, as part of its countdown to Christmas.
But that doesn't mean there won't be any good sales.
Our friends atFatWallet.com say if Free Shipping Day only offered free shipping on list prices, it would be a bust, and wouldn't have survived this long.
So it is a great day for those last minute online purchases, without shipping fees.
All sales not created equal
FatWallet says free shipping offers are not all created equal. So after analyzing hundreds of offers, it has put together the FatWallet Free Shipping Deals guide.
Note that while many deals have no minimum purchase, some do require you to spend $25 or $50 to qualify.
Amongthe best deals FatWallet found:
Top 25 with Free Shipping No Minimum (plus other discounts):
Target + $10 off $50 and $25 off $100
Best Buy +free gift cards with hundreds of purchases
Microsoft Store +$100 gift card with purchase of HTC Vive or Oculus Rift
HP +up to 50% off
Under Armour +up to 25% off
Office Depot/Office Max + up to 60% off
JBL by Harmon +up to 75% off speakers and headphones
Eddie Bauer +up to 50% off
Blue Nile +up to 25% off
Nordstrom +free returns
Overstock +up to 70% off
Crutchfield +up to $1700 off 4K TVs
Buydig +free returns for 45 days
Neiman Marcus +free returns
Samsung +up to 40% off
Toys R Us +30% off Hasbro
Bass Pro Shops +$10 promo card on orders of $75 or more
Ralph Lauren + up to 40% off
Puma + extra 20% off
Saks Fifth Avenue + up to 60% off
American Eagle +40% off Holiday Collection items
UGG +up to 50% off
Petco +up to 60% off
Famous Footwear +15% off
ASUS +up to 40% off
Top 25 with Free Shipping plus Minimum Purchase (plus other discounts):
eBay - thousands of items ship for free
PetSmart - free shipping on most orders +$20 off $100
Lenovo - free shipping on most orders + 50% off select laptops
Walmart - free shipping on orders $50 or more
Macy’s - free shipping on orders $49 or more + extra 20% off
Kohl’s - free shipping on orders $50 or more + 30% off
JCPenney - free shipping on orders $49 or more +$10 off $25
Lands End - free shipping on orders $50 or more +50% off one item
Lowe’s - free shipping on orders $49 or more + up to 40% off selected tools
Amazon - free shipping on orders $49 or more for non-Prime shoppers
Staples - free shipping on orders $49.99 or more
Sears - free shipping on orders $49 or more +up to 20% off
jet.com free shipping on orders $35 or more +15% off first order
Groupon - free shipping on most orders +10% off
Cabala's - free shipping on orders $49 or more +up to 75% off
ThinkGeek free shipping on orders $25 or more
Adorama - free shipping on orders $50 or more
Rakuten - free shipping on orders thousands of items
Old Navy - free shipping on orders $50 or more +up to 60% off
Nike - free shipping on orders $150 or more, $8 shipping under $150
Banana Republic - free shipping on orders $50 or more +40% off
GameStop - free shipping on orders $35 or more +up to 75% off
Bed Bath & Beyond - free shipping on orders $29 or more
Disney Store - free shipping on orders $75 or more + up to 50% off
Levi’s - free shipping on orders $100 or more +30% off
GAP - free shipping on orders $50 or more +40% off
For more daily markdowns between now and Christmas, visit our Don't Waste Your Money 12 Days of Deals page.
That way you don't waste your money.
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“Don't Waste Your Money” is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. (“Scripps”). The information included in this article was obtained independently by Scripps reporters. While purchases from links inserted in this article may result in a commission for Scripps, no Scripps reporter benefited from that commission.
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