How It Works

Shopping in the USA

Shopping online in the USA has never been easier for customers living abroad. No longer does one need to have a physical American address or own an American credit card. Today, anyone can shop from the comfort of his or her living room!

Many American customers shop online and save a lot of money doing so. Why not join them? The prices are fair, the competition is fierce, and the quality is in most cases unbeatable. At AMERIGELD, we give you access to all the information you need to successfully complete your online shopping experience in the USA.

1. Product
2. Stores
   • American Promotional Codes System
   • How do I use a promotional code?
   • Deals vs. Promotional Codes
3. Delivery
   • Shopping Options

1. Product

Select a Product category or a subcategory (by clicking the “”) depending on what item you are looking for. (Below is a list of some, not all, available Product categories).



2. Stores

A list of the most popular American stores displays based on a chosen Product category or a subcategory:



1. Store names and Store logos are hyperlinks. Click either one to visit the Store’s website and start shopping.
2. Many American stores offer International Shipping OR operate websites in international locations (). You may click the small triangle next to the International Shipping header () to sort the list of displayed stores by International Shipping.
3. Most American stores offer great deals and Savings on every purchase you make online. Click the dollar sack () to view a table of promotional codes and Savings applicable to your selected store.
4. Take advantage of the Comments section. The Comments and the store ratings provided by other customers are here to help you better decide where to shop. You may want to assist other fellow shoppers by rating your own shopping experience (Add).

American Promotional Codes System

Most American stores offer so called promotional codes (also called coupons, promo codes, source codes, or rewards) which are valid exclusively for online shopping. These codes are free of charge, they can be found on the internet, and ANYONE can use them to save extra money on the final online purchase.

At AMERIGELD, we save you time and money by finding the most up to date promotional codes for you. Click the (if applicable) next to your chosen Store and a list of active promotional codes and coupons will display.

A sample list of active promotional codes and coupons for the store “Old Navy” as it appears after clicking the dollar sack:


A sample promotional code (ONSPRING for 15% off entire purchase) for “Old Navy” as displayed on the store’s website:


Another sample promotional code (HAPPYDAY & pin 4144 for $20 off when you spend $75 or more & FREE shipping – domestic, not international) for “Lands’ End” (another retail store) as displayed on the store’s website:



How do I use a promotional code?

For illustrative purposes, let’s assume you want to shop for Women’s Clothing at “Old Navy” and use the promotional code: ONSPRING (15% off the entire purchase). Although the steps below apply to a specific store, they are generic enough to be used as a simple guide for any online shopping transaction in America.

1. Select Product → Women’s Clothing
2. Select Stores → “Old Navy”
3. Click the for “Old Navy”.
   
4. A list of active promotional codes and coupons for “Old Navy” displays:
   
5. Select a desired promotional code (ONSPRING) by clicking the Promotional Code Description link, in our case, 15% off ENTIRE purchase.
    
6. Clicking the “15% off ENTIRE purchase” link will automatically take you to the website of the Store, in our case “Old Navy”:
   
7. Since you want to shop for Women’s Clothing, click the “Women” button.
   
8. Select an item based on the Product category on the left hand side (for instance “New Arrivals → Tops”).
   
   
   Also, notice that the “Shopping Bag/Basket” is initially empty. In other words, there are “0 items in your bag”. 

   Double-click the shirt you desire to purchase.

9. Select the final color, size, quantity, and click the “Add to bag” button. Notice that the “Shopping Bag” updates with price and information about your selected shirt.
   
   IMPORTANT: Most clothing / shoe online stores provide a link to a size chart directly on their website. We strongly recommend that you verify your size based on this size chart before finalizing your purchase. Similar clothing articles may fit differently depending on what stores sell them and where they were manufactured. 

   Another good source of information is http://www.sizeguide.net/ .

10. Once you are finished shopping, click the button or link “Checkout”.
    
11. View your “Shopping Bag”:
    
    Select a desired “Shipping method” (Note: These types are ‘US domestic’ types of shipping) and proceed by clicking the “Checkout” button. 
12. If you are a new customer who does not want to register with the store, simply enter your email address and click “Continue” to proceed to payment. Returning customers who have registered with the store before must enter their email address and password and click “Sign in”. There are advantages to registering with a store such as receiving sales alerts and promotions via email. In addition, those who shop at the online store frequently and are registered need not to re-enter the address and the payment information each time they shop.
    
13. As a returning customer, you do not need to re-enter your address and credit card information as it is securely stored in the store’s database. This information will automatically upload onto the payment screen (see image below) once you have logged in.

    Note: Unlike many online stores in the world, the majority of American stores are very dependable and their online paying mechanisms are secure to protect the privacy of all customers and their personal data. However, it is safer to always double check that the URL of the payment screen starts with: https://secureoldnavy.gap.com/checkout/order.do as opposed to just http://secureoldnavy.gap.com/checkout/order.do).

    New customers are asked to enter their address, phone number, and credit card information in order to complete the payment.
    

14. Enter the PROMOTIONAL CODE ONSPRING in the designated textbox (see below) and click “Apply”. Notice the change in the total price of the product. Be aware, sometimes it is difficult to locate the textbox for the promotional code on the screen. Do not give up looking!
    
    IMPORTANT: Each store has a different checking out process but the promotional discount should always be deducted before the final payment is completed. Therefore, it is highly recommended to verify the shopping total of your order before the payment has been finalized (before you click the “Place order” button or sometimes it’s called the “Final Payment” button etc.) every time! If the discount has not been deducted from your final price, the code may not have been accepted as valid or there may have been a technical error. In such case, contact the store via email or live chat before finalizing your payment. 

    Always check the promotion details to make sure you understand what business transaction is available for a discount:
    

15. Click “Place order” to finalize your purchase. Most online stores will immediately email you a copy of your receipt to keep for your records. That is one of the main reasons why you provide your email address.

Deals vs. Promotional Codes

Promotional Code: A savings promotion that requires a customer to copy and paste in a special code at the checkout to receive the advertised discount on the final purchase. See How do I use a promotional code? for details.

Additional notes:

1. It is usually ok to use the same promotional code on multiple purchases/orders.
2. Although the “norm” is to use one promotional code per order, a few stores will allow you to use more than one per order.
3. Promotional code savings can usually be applied to clearance items.

Deal: A savings promotion that does NOT require a promotional code to receive it.

You simply click on the Promotional Code Description link (example: 25% off ENTIRE purchase) to go directly to the store’s website where you shop. When done shopping, verify that the advertised deal has been automatically applied (no need to enter any promotional code in this case) to your purchase before finalizing the order.

Sample “Deals”:






3. Delivery

A list of the most frequently used American Delivery Companies by customers living abroad is displayed on the Home Page. (The list below is just a sample).



1. Delivery Company names and logos are hyperlinks. Click either one to visit the Delivery Company’s website and sign up for its services.
2. Take advantage of the Comments section. The Comments and the delivery company ratings provided by other customers are here to help you better decide which company to choose for your shopping and delivery. You may want to assist other fellow shoppers by rating your own shopping experience (Add).

Shopping Options

Although there is a growing number of American stores that ship to international destinations or operate websites in international locations (such Stores have a checkmark () in the International Shipping column in the Stores category), most only ship stateside with exceptions to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean Islands, and the APO/FPO.

So, as a customer living abroad and desiring to shop online at American stores, you have one of three choices:

1. Shop at an American store that does NOT ship internationally
   1. Choose a delivery company that suits your needs.

      Most American delivery companies will not only ship your purchased product to any location in the world, but, if you desire, they will also buy it for you headache free! No longer do you need to avoid the desirable American market just because “you cannot tap in”. No longer do you need to worry about having a non-American physical address or a non-American credit card. With the help of a delivery company of your choice, you can buy anything (with a few exceptions) you like and have it shipped directly to your house anywhere in the world.

   2. Set up and account with a delivery company.

      Signing up with a delivery company is in most cases a simple and pain free process. Should you have any questions or need additional assistance, help is usually just a click away. Customer service in America is beyond exceptional compared to other parts of the world, so have no fear.

      In most cases, once you set up an account:

      • You will receive an American address (it will actually be the address of the delivery company with a unique box number).
      • You will shop online (or have the delivery company make the purchase for you) and have the package(s) sent to the American address given to you.
      • The delivery company will receive your package(s) and mail it directly to your house anywhere in the world for a fee.
   3. Start enjoying the benefits of becoming a customer!

   IMPORTANT:

   1. Some American stores allow customers to use International credit cards, while others only accept the American ones. You do not need to be concerned about this issue if you choose the services of a delivery company for your purchase.
   2. Feel free to use promotional codes or discounts.

   (Two sample delivery companies):
   

2. Shop at an American store that DOES ship internationally

There is a growing number of American stores that ship internationally. Many of them use a third party FiftyOne Solution (http://www.fiftyone.com/) to securely complete international transactions.

IMPORTANT:

1. Some American stores allow customers to use International credit cards, while others only accept the American ones.
2. Many international orders are NOT eligible for:
   1. Promotional codes
   2. Free shipping coupons
   3. Merchandise Exchanges

(Example: “Old Navy” offers international shipping)



3. Shop at an American store that operates multiple websites in international locations

Some American stores operate websites in international locations. Customers may choose to go directly to these international sites and shop there using the currency they are familiar with. Keep in mind that the selection of products may be limited compared to what one can buy in America and the prices may be slightly different as well.

IMPORTANT:

1. Depending on the store, one must not have an American credit card to shop on these international sites.
2. Unless otherwise specified, one cannot apply American promotional codes and discounts at these international sites. They can only be applied when shopping online in America.

(Example: “Lands’ End” operates sites in international locations)



Disclaimer: The sample screenshots above are of the Old Navy, Lands' End, GAP, Kohl's and Boden websites. All content included on these screenshots (except for embedded text to explain the shopping process) such as text, graphics, logos, button icons, and images are the properties of Old Navy, Lands'End, GAP, Kohl's and Boden, respectively. The logos of SHOPUSA, MyUS.com and Shipito are the properties of SHOPUSA, MyUS.com and Shipito.