Online shopping: That's why you should never shop with your phone or tablet

Shopping online with a cell phone or tablet can be quite expensive. If you don't want to pay extra, you should never go shopping on the go. We show you how bad it really is and what you can do on this page.

Online shopping: Shopping with a cell phone or tablet is more expensive

• In the online shop you can conveniently shop from anywhere and simply have the goods delivered to your home. However, the consumer advice center in North Rhine-Westphalia found out that the articles can cost up to 150 euros more when shopping by smartphone or tablet.
• This is where the so-called lust effect comes into play: the pictures of a new TV or a new game console appeal to our senses and spark emotions.
• Since we mainly use these devices for fun and entertainment, this effect is intensified. We like to treat ourselves to something like this by shopping quickly with our smartphone.
• In addition, the navigation in the online shops specially prepared for smartphones by swiping is much better. Here we do not need a mouse or keyboard to order an item. The swiping gestures we are used to from chatting, watching videos and having fun with smartphones let us click the buy button faster. Shop operators know this and often increase prices on their smartphones.
• Unfortunately, such price fluctuations are legal, says the Consumer Advice Center in North Rhine-Westphalia. Because the articles are offered on different sales channels. So for example on the mobile website, the app of the shop or the desktop website.
• What are the shopping apps of the online stores good for? The articles in shopping apps are in a more chic design, but there are also price differences here. In some cases, articles are even completely missing in the app, while they can be called up in the "normal" online shop. This often affects the bargains that you cannot take with you on your smartphone.

Solution: Find the best price on your smartphone

So that you don't get ripped off while shopping, we have two simple tricks. They also work on the smartphone:

• Compare the prices for a specific product beforehand with a comparison portal such as Bestcheck. You can do this with the Bestcheck app for Android or iOS.
• Since large retailers like Amazon change prices for the same product several times a week and during the day, checking more often helps. Alternatively, you can also use price monitors such as Camel Camel Camel to keep an eye on prices.

Shop cheaper at Amazon: These tricks are only known to professional shoppers

In this practical tip, we will tell you how you can recognize and unmask serious online shops. Tip: If you want to save money when shopping online, you should look for discount offers. For example, Galeria Kaufhof offers many discounts.