Why Pay More? 35 Stores That Offer Free Shipping

When you search online for a great deal or splurge on a special gift, then click your way to the final stages of the purchase process only to find out the shipping is another $10 or more, it’s a total “bah, humbug.”

Here’s  another common scenario: You add everything you need to your cart, and the total comes to $36. The site offers free shipping — but only on orders over $50.

Shipping costs — and shipping cost frustrations — add up more than ever during the holidays

But if you know where to look, you can get thousands of items shipped for free.

Few retailers offer overnight shipping at no charge, but many can get the package to you in two to three days without added charges. If you don’t need it tomorrow, your patience can save you $5 to $8 to $20.

So while Santa’s making his list, make your own from this primer on how to get free shipping.

35 Stores with Free Shipping

These companies offer free shipping with no minimum purchase. Some of them ship worldwide for free, while others only ship free within the continental U.S., sometimes called the contiguous states, lower 48 or mainland. It means Alaska and Hawaii are excluded.

Some national chains also offer free shipping to your local store where you can pick it up.

1. Target

Spend $35 or more at Target —which is easy to do — and you get free two-day shipping. If you have a Target REDCard you get free shipping with no minimum. (Target card holders also save 5% on their order.)

2. Timberland

Known for its boots and outdoor wear, Timberland offers free three-day and standard ground U.S. shipping on every order. Orders are only shipped Monday through Friday so that three-day shipping may take up to four business days. Ground shipping usually takes four to six business days.

3. Amazon

The retail behemoth offers free shipping to all shoppers on certain items and orders that total at least $25. Those who join Amazon Prime for $14.99 a month or $139 a year get free one-day and two-day shipping on almost all purchases  and free same-day shipping on some items.

4. Nordstrom

Nordstrom has a variety of price ranges with great sales along with pricey top shelf items, but it offers free U.S. shipping, including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

5. Neiman Marcus

Neiman Marcus is top-of-the-line. And there are no shipping costs for standard shipping taking three to five days. Anything needed faster will require additional costs.

7. Kate Spade

Everyone’s favorite purse label — which also sells clothing, shoes, jewelry and other accessories, by the way —  offers free USPS and standard ground shipping. If order is placed before 2 p.m. EST, deliveries usually take three to eight business days.

7. Lilly Pulitzer

You know this brand for its brightly colored tropical and whimsical  prints. It also offers free shipping, but that can take up to two weeks. This applies to all orders in the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. Two-day shipping costs $20.

8. Tiffany & Co.

The nation’s most storied jewelry store offers free shipping on every order under $1,000, and express two-day shipping on purchases over $1,000.

9. Reformation

This sustainable women’s clothing maker uses the tagline “Being naked is the #1 most sustainable option. We’re #2.” Bonus: It offers free shipping and free returns on all orders worldwide.

10. Bonobos

This men’s clothing and accessories shop distinguishes itself with free FedEx shipping. In the U.S., purchases take one to four days to be delivered.

11. Madewell

The women’s clothier owned by J. Crew offers free shipping to members of its Madewell Insiders customer loyalty program, which is free to join.

12. Ray-Ban

Sunglasses make for quite a good gift. Ray-Ban offers free standard shipping.

Alaska and Hawaii are included, and orders usually arrive within two to three days. If you want to send an item back, you can return it for free.

13. Overstock

From clothes to homegoods, Overstock offers discounted prices on thousands of items.The online retailer also offers standard free shipping to 48 states. (Sorry, Hawaii and Alaska.)

14. Universal Standard

The online retailer that offers great fashions for women sizes 10 to 28 (kind of the standard size, get it?) offers free standard shipping and returns. Packages usually take five to seven days to arrive.

15. Zappos

From shoes to handbags, Zappos has a wonderful selection of clothing and accessories, and everything ships free. This includes Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. territories. The site also offers free returns for one year.

Zappos uses USPS Priority Mail to make sure your order gets to your doorstep in four to five days. Shoppers who join Zaoops VIP loyalty program, which is free, get free expedited shipping.

16. Verizon

Verizon offers free 2-day shipping on items you order online except for consumers in Alaska and Hawaii.

17. DSW

The shoe giant offers free shipping with no minimum order to customers who join its VIP loyalty program, which is also free and offers coupons throughout the year.

18. Apple

If the iPad or Mac you’re eyeing is in stock on Apple’s online store, it most likely ships for free. (Excluded are such items as customized Macs and engraved products.) Even better, most in-stock Macs, iPhones, iPads, Apple watches and Apple TVs ship in one day.

19. Microsoft

Microsoft will give you free standard shipping taking two to three business days on all orders to the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

20. Dell

If you’re in the market for a new laptop, you can get free U.S. shipping to any of the 48 contiguous states. Your order will arrive within three to five days and you won’t spend a penny extra.

Dell also offers a price match guarantee to make sure you get the most bang for your buck.

21. Samsung

Samsung offers free standard one-to-five-day shipping on all orders in the contiguous United States, including on big TVs. Mobile devices and accessories default to free expedited shipping.

22. AT&T

AT&T offers free express shipping on all orders and will even pay for the return shipping if you choose to send an item back.

23. OtterBox

OtterBox makes mobile phone cases, yes. But it also sells outdoor gear including coolers, dry bags and tumblers. All U.S. orders of $50 or more ship free within 72 hours usually.

24. Sweetwater

Sweetwater.com sells all things musical from guitars and drums to speakers and DJ equipment. The site offers free U.S. shipping on thousands of items that will make for a fun, and loud, holiday.

25. Amoeba Music

Old-school vinyl or vintage concert posters can be just the right gift for that younger (or older) person on your list.  Amoeba.com offers free U.S. shipping for all music and movie formats.

But order now. Shipping can take five to 21 days.

26. Molton Brown

Molton Brown’s wide selection of cruelty-free bath and body products are another crowd pleaser for all types of people. It offers free U.S shipping if you’re in the contiguous states.

Bonus: You’ll get a free 1-ounce sample with every order and a complimentary gift box if you’re buying for someone else.

27. AbeBooks

Books are the gift that take people anywhere in the world. AbeBooks has a humongous selection at unbelievably low prices, and thousands of them qualify for free shipping.

The best part? You can search for books that will ship for free specifically to your corner of the world. The site allows you to search for free shipping to the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia, and they even have a worldwide option.

8 Retailers that Offer Free Shipping if You Pick Up in Store

These retailers don’t offer free shipping directly to your home without a minimum purchase. But they do let you order online and ship — for free — to one of their stores. Then you pick up your order there.

28. Best Buy

Best Buy carries products big and small that make for a nice surprise under the tree. Order something online then pick it up for free at the nearest store.

29. Walmart

You can order thousands of items from Walmart’s website and pick them up for free in a store — many of them same day. If you are a member of Walmart+ which costs $12.95 a month or $98 a year, you can get groceries shipped the same day for free.

30. Staples

Staples isn’t all office chairs and desk calendars. It also has computers, printers, ear phones and more. Order online and have items shipped to your local store at no cost. Orders of $35 or more, which is probably going to be what these items cost, ship for free to your home.

31. Ace Hardware

Ace is the place to get free shipping to your closest store for tons of items. Your order will arrive at the store in one to seven days and you’ll receive an email confirmation when it’s ready.

Ace will even ship to Alaska and Hawaii, though it may take longer. Your local store will hold orders for five days, so there’s no rush to pick them up.

32. Home Depot

More than a million items at Home Depot are available for free in-store pickup, many within a couple hours.

33. Lowe’s

Like its big competitor, Lowe’s also offers free in-store pickup on its many home improvement items.

34. Dick’s Sporting Goods

The sporting goods retailer offers free shipping from its website with orders of $65 or more. But many items that cost a lot less can be ordered online and picked up within an hour at the front of the store with no charge and no hassle of fighting crowds or waiting in line.

35. Guitar Center

If you have a Guitar Center store nearby, you can buy online and have your order shipped there for free. It also offers free in-store returns with immediate credit. Certain orders such as clearance items and oversized products don’t apply and Alaska and Hawaii are excluded.

Contributor Katherine Snow Smith is a veteran newspaper reporter and editor who covers lifestyle topics, workplace issues and ways to make money for The Penny Hoarder. She is the author of “Rules for the Southern Rulebreaker: Missteps and Lessons Learned.”