Delivery charges can quietly add a significant amount to an online order, especially for smaller purchases or when buying from more than one retailer. A few simple habits make it much easier to avoid paying for delivery unnecessarily.

Check the free delivery threshold

Many retailers offer free delivery once your order reaches a certain value. If you are close to the threshold, it is worth checking whether adding a small extra item, or waiting to combine it with another purchase, works out cheaper overall than paying a delivery charge on a smaller order.

Look for delivery-specific codes

Some discount codes apply specifically to delivery rather than the price of the items themselves. These are worth watching for separately from percentage-off codes, since a free delivery code can sometimes be a bigger saving than a small discount on the order total.

Consider a delivery subscription if you shop often

If you regularly order from the same retailer, or use a service that delivers for multiple retailers, an annual delivery subscription can work out cheaper than paying for delivery on each individual order. It is worth doing the maths based on how often you actually shop before committing to one.

Use click and collect where available

Collecting an order from a store or local collection point is often free even when home delivery is not, and it can also be faster for items you need quickly. This is worth considering for larger or heavier items in particular, where delivery charges tend to be higher.

Read the small print on “free delivery” offers

Free delivery promotions sometimes exclude certain items, postcodes, or delivery speeds. Checking the terms before checkout helps you avoid a last-minute delivery charge appearing on an order you expected to be free.

CheckoutDeals lists current deals and discount codes, including delivery-related offers, from a wide range of UK retailers, making it easier to check what is available before you order.