Get a free one-year subscription to ShopRunner

ShopRunner is one of those things I probably wouldn't pay for, but would gladly accept for free. 

Feel likewise? Well, here you go: For a limited time, Cheapskate readers can get a free one-year ShopRunner membership. It normally costs $79, though anyone with a PayPal account or a select American Express or MasterCard card already qualifies for an ongoing complimentary membership.

Watch this: How to save money on nearly everything you buy online

02:10

However you get it, it's worth getting. ShopRunner upgrades you to free two-day shipping at stores ranging from MacMall to Newegg to Staples. And at some stores there's no minimum purchase, so you can get that fast, free shipping even if you spend a small amount.

The service also entitles you to free return shipping, a huge plus if you've ordered something big and heavy (like, say, a TV or speaker system) and decided you don't like it. Remember that restocking fees may apply, though, so the return itself may not be free, only the shipping.

ShopRunner also offers a smattering of members-only deals, like 20 percent off at Lancome. (That said, you should always check other coupon-code and cashback sources as well, because ShopRunner's exclusives may not be the absolute best deals.)

Of course, the big draw here is the shipping upgrades. It's not unlike what Amazon Prime offers, but applied to more than 100 stores instead of just one. Would I pay $79 for a one-year ShopRunner membership? I would not. But free? Yes, thank you.

Best gifts under $25

+24 more

See all photos

Read more: The best gifts for 2018

Read more: The best gifts under $50

CNET's Cheapskate scours the web for great deals on PCs, phones , gadgets and much more. Note that CNET may get a share of revenue from the sale of the products featured on this page. Questions about the Cheapskate blog? Find the answers on our FAQ page. Find more great buys on the CNET Deals page and follow the Cheapskate on Facebook and Twitter!