Online Shopping and Savings in America

Top Ten Reviews

2008-02-03T13:15:00.000-08:00

Here is a great site for product reviews with in-depth analysis : http://www.toptenreviews.com/

Do you know of any other good sites?

Top 7 Portable DVD Players

2007-12-14T13:15:00.001-08:00

Here are the Top 7 portable DVD players from about.com.

1. Philips PET824/37
View Full-SizeThe Philips PET824/37 lets viewers enjoy a stylish viewing experience on this player's 8.5-inch widescreen color LCD display. This player offers special technology to ensure optimal screen quality and gives up to six hours of video playback via its rechargeable battery. Dual headphone jacks and built-in stereo speakers let one share in audio enjoyment. Support is offered for DVD, DVD+/-R and DVD+/-RW, (S)VCD, DivX and MPEG4 movies as well as MP3/WMA-CD, CD and CD-RW music and JPEG image files.

2. Mustek MP72
View Full-SizeThe MP72 from Mustek is a lower priced portable DVD player which sports a 7-inch widescreen color display for viewing of DVDs. It also supports MPEG-4, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, JPEG CD and KODAK Picture CD disc formats. Other key features include a built-in decoder for Dolby Digital playback, built-in stereo speakers, anti-shock protection, a rechargeable battery pack, progressive scan and one headphone jack. The MP72 also comes with a remote control.

3. Toshiba SD-P1850
This under $200 Toshiba portable DVD player has an 8-inch widescreen TFT LCD color display and is DivX Home Theater certified, meaning it supports playback of DivX, AVI and MPEG-4 movies on a CD. Other supported disc formats include JPEG photos and MP3 audio. This portable DVD player also has a 4-in-1 memory card slot for letting one view digital photos stored on memory cards commonly used with digital cameras. Other features include virtual surround sound, dual headphone jacks and speakers.

4. Panasonic DVD-LS91
The DVD-LS91 from Panasonic has a slim design and sports a 9-inch widescreen LCD display which pivots to different viewing angles so one can get a better view of a playing movie. It supports a variety of CD and disc formats including DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, DVD-RAM/-R/-R(dual layer)/-RW, DVD+R/+R(dual layer)/+RW, CDs, MP3-CD and CD-R/RW discs loaded with MP3 or WMA music files. Other features include six hours of battery life, dual headphone jacks and a built-in Dolby Digital/DTS decoder.

5. Philips PET1002/37
The Philips PET1002/37 sports a generous 10.2-inch LCD screen with special technology for better screen quality. One can enjoy DVD, DVD+/-R and DVD+/-RW, (S)VCD, DivX and MPEG4 movies as well as MP3/WMA-CD, CD and CD-RW music and JPEG image files. Other notable features include built-in stereo speakers, dual headphone jacks, up to five hours of rechargeable battery life, S-video and component video output for display on a TV and an included car adapter and remote control for in auto enjoyment.

6. Toshiba SD-P2800
This portable DVD player from Toshiba offers up a 9-inch widescreen LCD display for viewing of DVDs as well as CD-R/RW discs loaded with DivX, AVI and MPEG-4 movies. The SD-P2800 also has a useful 170-degree viewing angle either horizontally or vertically as well as offering a 4-In-1 memory card slot which accepts Secure Digital, Memory Stick, XD Picture Card and MultimediaCard cards for viewing digital photos. These features are also joined by virtual surround sound and dual headphone jacks.

7. Sony DVP-FX810
Sony delivers their usual style and flair to the DVP-FX910 portable DVD player. This 8-inch widescreen LCD unit has a swivel and flip screen design for offering multiple viewing angles. Battery life is rated at 5-1/2 hours before needing a recharge. The player supports DVD, CD, JPEG and MP3 CDs, among other disc formats. Other useful features include control buttons conveniently placed, a dual sensor remote which offers extended control range, dual headphone jacks and a top load disc tray.

To view the original article, please visit: http://portables.about.com/od/portabledvd/tp/topportabledvds.htm

Save Money - Search online, browse offline, buy online

2007-12-14T11:06:00.001-08:00

3 Simple Tips that I have found effective for saving on my holiday shopping:

1. Search Offline - Begin by looking for what you want at various price comparison sites like Shopzilla or Froogle. I have links on the right pane of this website under "Price Comparison & Deal Sites". Try and find the best price at a reputable merchant. Make you check the Total price. Some of the cheaper options do not include shipping, which can add 5-15% more on your price and make a big relative difference.

2. Browse Offline - Once you have narrowed done what you want, you should go to an actual store to check out on the item(s) you want. This applies to electronics or computers in particular. Also if you are choosing between 2-3 brands of an item, seeing them operating/used live is a good way to make the final decision. I recommend this for selecting a HDTV especially.

3. Get coupons & Buy online - Once you have finalized the product/brand you want. Go online and get discount or promotional coupons (see right pane of this site for recommended coupon sites). This can save you another 10-15% of the total price. The only caveat with this is that the coupon may only be valid for online purchases. However, most major retailers have an online site (as shown in this blog) so buying online is pretty safe as all warranty rules etc apply. Free shipping is normally included with items more than $100, or if you really want the item asap you can choose the ship-to-store option.

Enjoy your purchase!

Which digital camera to buy?

2007-12-14T11:04:00.001-08:00

Yahoo's shopping blog lists the Top 10 digital camera's for this holiday season. They are:

Circuit City : Save up to 25% on all digital cameras

1. Canon PowerShot SD850 IS - fast shots in all sorts of lighting.
2. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T200 - the pocket-fitting digicam.
3. Nikon D40 - the affordable, acclaimed digital SLR. (I have this one!)
4. Casio Exilim EX-S770 - critics rave about its performance.
5. Kodak EasyShare Z650 - a recent model by a renown brand.
6. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX50 - easy to use.
7. Fujifilm FinePix S700 - offers loads of functions.
8. Olympus SP 550 - for zoom lovers.
9. Canon EOS Rebel XTi - praised by many SLR starters.
10. Pentax Optio A30 - a 10-megapixel, point-and-shoot.

Read the full article at the Yahoo RSS feed available on this blog.

Online Shopping Tips: E-Commerce and You

2007-12-10T07:29:00.001-08:00

From Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs23-shopping.htm), here are some useful tips when shopping online. At this blog I only recommend reputable, brand name sites that comply with these policies.

With just a click of the mouse, shoppers can buy nearly any product online - from groceries to cars, from insurance policies to home loans. The world of electronic commerce, also known as e-commerce, enables consumers to shop at thousands of online stores and pay for their purchases without leaving the comfort of home. For many, the Internet has taken the place of Saturday afternoon window shopping at the mall.

These consumers expect merchants to not only make their products available on the Web but to make payments a simple and secure process. However, the same things can go wrong shopping in cyberspace as in the real world. Sometimes it is simply a case of a computer glitch or poor customer service. Other times, shoppers are cheated by clever scam artists.

A survey by AC Nielsen found that the top security concerns of America's online shoppers were:

- Not receiving the items purchased, or receiving items different from what was described.
- Email addresses being sold to third parties.
- Fears about personal or financial information being stolen.
- Email scans known as "phishing" or "spoofing" in which consumers receive messages from dishonest sources disguised as messages from trusted retailers or financial institutions.

Just as shoppers should take measures to protect themselves in brick-and-mortar stores—such as protecting their PIN numbers when checking out and not leaving purses unattended—online shoppers also need to take sensible precautions. This guide offers advice on how to make your online shopping experiences enjoyable and safe.

1. Shop at Secure Web Sites

How can you tell if a web site is secure? It uses encryption technology to transfer information from your computer to the online merchant's computer. Encryption scrambles the information you send, such as your credit card number, in order to prevent computer hackers from obtaining it en route. The only people who can unscramble the code are those with legitimate access privileges.

You can tell when you are dealing with a secure web site in several ways.

First, if you look at the top of your screen where the web site address is displayed, you should see https://. The "s" that is displayed after "http" indicates that web site is secure. Often, you do not see the "s" until you actually move to the order page on the web site.

Another way to determine if a web site is secure is to look for a closed padlock displayed at the bottom of your screen. If that lock is open, you should assume it is not a secure site.

The third symbol that indicates you are on a secure site is an unbroken key.

Of course, transmitting your data over secure channels is of little value to you if the merchant stores the data unscrambled. You should try to find out if the merchant stores the data in encrypted form. If a hacker is able to intrude, it cannot obtain your credit data and other personal information. Be sure to read the merchant's privacy and security policies to learn how it safeguards your personal data on its computers. (See tip 3 below.)

2. Research the Web Site before You Order

Do business with companies you already know. If the company is unfamiliar, do your homework before buying their products. If you decide to buy something from an unknown company, start out with an inexpensive order to learn if the company is trustworthy.

Reliable companies should advertise their physical business address and at least one phone number, either customer service or an order line. Call the phone number and ask questions to determine if the business is legitimate. Even if you call after hours, many companies have a "live" answering service, especially if they don't want to miss orders. Ask how the merchant handles returned merchandise and complaints. Find out if it offers full refunds or only store credits.

You can also research a company in Internet yellow pages, through the Better Business Bureau (see listing below), or a government consumer protection agency like the district attorney's office or the Attorney General. Perhaps friends or family members who live in the city listed can verify the validity of the company. Remember, anyone can create a web site.

3. Read the Web Site's Privacy and Security Policies

Every reputable e-commerce web site offers information about how it processes your order. It is usually listed in the section entitled "Privacy Policy." You can find out if the merchant intends to share your information with a third party or affiliate company. Do they require these companies to refrain from marketing to their customers? If not, you can expect to receive "spam" (unsolicited e-mail) and even mail or phone solicitations from these companies.

You can also learn what type of information is gathered by the web site, and how it is — or is not — shared with others. The online merchant's data security practices are also often explained in the Privacy Policy, or perhaps a separate Security Policy.

Look for online merchants who are members of a seal-of-approval program that sets voluntary guidelines for privacy-related practices, such as TRUSTe (www.truste.org), Verisign (www.verisign.com), or BBBonline (www.bbbonline.org).

However, be aware that a strong privacy policy and membership in a web-seal program don't guarantee that the web merchant will protect your privacy for all time. Policies can change. The company can file for bankruptcy and sell its customer data base. The web merchant might be purchased by another company with a weaker privacy policy. And the company's data can be subpoenaed for law enforcement investigations or civil cases. You have little control over the use of your customer data in such matters.

Given all of these uncertainties, you will want to think about the sensitivity of the data that is being compiled about you when you shop online. We cannot prescribe the best approach to take. Each consumer has a different interpretation of what is considered "sensitive."

4. What's Safest: Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Cash, or Checks?

The safest way to shop on the Internet is with a credit card. In the event something goes wrong, you are protected under the federal Fair Credit Billing Act. You have the right to dispute charges on your credit card, and you can withhold payments during a creditor investigation. When it has been determined that your credit was used without authorization, you are only responsible for the first $50 in charges. You are rarely asked to pay this charge. We recommend that you obtain one credit card that you use only for online payments to make it easier to detect wrongful credit charges.

E-commerce shopping by check leaves you vulnerable to bank fraud. And sending a cashier's check or money order doesn't give you any protection if you have problems with the purchase.

Make sure your credit card is a true credit card and not a debit card, a check card, or an ATM card. As with checks, a debit card exposes your bank account to thieves. Your checking account could be wiped out in minutes. Further, debit and ATM cards are not protected by federal law to the extent that credit cards are.

5. Never Give Out Your Social Security Number

Providing your Social Security number is not a requirement for placing an order at an e-commerce web site. There is no need for the merchant to ask for it. Giving out your Social Security number could lead to having your identity stolen. (See PRC Fact Sheet 17, "Coping with Identity Theft," www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs17-it.htm.)

6. Disclose Only the Bare Facts When You Order

When placing an order, there is certain information that you must provide to the web merchant such as your name and address. Often, a merchant will try to obtain more information about you. They may ask questions about your leisure lifestyle or annual income. This information is used to target you for marketing purposes. It can lead to "spam" or even direct mail and telephone solicitations.

Don't answer any question you feel is not required to process your order. Often, the web site will mark which questions need to be answered with an asterisk (*). Should a company require information you are not comfortable sharing, leave the site and find a different company for the product you seek.

7. Keep Your Password Private

Most reputable e-commerce web sites require the shopper to log-in before placing or viewing an order. The shopper is usually required to provide a username and a password. Never reveal your password to anyone. When selecting a password, do not use commonly known information, such as your birthdate, mother's maiden name, or numbers from your driver's license or Social Security number. Do not reuse the same password for other sites. The best password has at least eight characters and includes numbers and letters.

8. Check the Web Site Address

Above the web site at the top of your screen is a rectangular window that contains the web site address (also called the URL, or Uniform Resource Locator). By checking that address, you can make sure that you are dealing with the correct company.

Don't click on any link embedded within a potentially suspicious email. Instead, start a new Internet session from the beginning by typing in the link's URL into the address bar and pressing "Enter" to be sure you're directed to a legitimate web site.

Identity thieves send massive numbers of emails to Internet users that ask them to update the account information for their banks, credit cards, online payment service, or popular shopping sites. The email may state that your account information has expired, been compromised or lost and that you need to immediately resend it to the company.

Some emails sent as part of such "phishing" expeditions often contain links to official-looking web pages. Other times the emails ask the consumer to download and submit an electronic form. As many as five percent of recipients respond to them, becoming victims of financial loss, identity theft, and other crimes.

Remember, legitimate businesses don't ask for sensitive information via email. Don't respond to any request for financial information that comes to you in an email. Again, don't click on any link embedded within a suspicious email, and always call the retailer or financial institution to verify your account status before divulging any information.

9. Always Print Copies of Your Orders

After placing an order online, you should receive a confirmation page that reviews your entire order. It should include the costs of the order, your customer information, product information, and the confirmation number.

We recommend you print out at least one copy of the web page(s) describing the item you ordered as well as the page showing company name, postal address, phone number, and legal terms, including return policy. Keep it for your own records for at least the period covered by the return/warranty policy.

Often you will also receive a confirmation message that is e-mailed to you by the merchant. Be sure to save and/or print this message as well as any other e-mail correspondence with the company.

10. Shop with Companies Located in the Unites States

When you shop within the U.S., you are protected by state and federal consumer laws. You might not get the same protection if you place an order with a company located in another country.

11. Pay Attention to Shipping Facts

Under the law, a company must ship your order within the time stated in its ad. If no time frame is stated, the merchant must ship the product in 30 days or give you an "Option Notice." This gives you an opportunity to cancel the order and receive a prompt refund, or agree to the delay.

Here are key shipping questions to ask:

Does the site tell you if there are geographic or other restrictions for delivery?

Are there choices for shipping?

Who pays the shipping cost?

What does the site say about shipping insurance?

What are the shipping and handling fees, and are they reasonable?

12. Learn the Merchant's Cancellation, Return and Complaint-Handling Policies

Even under the best of circumstances, shoppers sometimes need to return merchandise. Check the web site for cancellation and return policies.

Who pays for shipping?

Is there a time limit or other restrictions to the return or cancellation?

Is there a restocking charge if you need to cancel or return the order?

Do you get a store credit, or will the company fully refund your charges to your credit card? If the merchant only offers store credits, find out the time restriction for using this credit.

Don't expect less customer service just because a company operates over the Internet. This is especially important if you are buying something that may need to be cleaned or serviced on occasion.

Does the merchant post a phone number and/or e-mail address for complaints?

How long has the company been in business?

Will they still be around when you need them?

Is there an easy, local way for you to get repairs or service?

Is there a warranty on the product, and who honors that guarantee?

What are the limits, and under what circumstances can you exercise your warranty rights?

13. Use Shopper's Intuition

Look at the site with a critical eye. And heed the old adage, "If it looks too good to be true, it probably is."

Are there extraordinary claims that you question?

Do the company's prices seem unusually low?

Does it look like the merchant is an amateur?

Are there a lot of spelling or grammar errors?

Does the company's phone go unanswered.

The use of a post office box might not send up a red flag, but a merchant who does not also provide the company's physical address might be cause for concern.

If any of these questions trigger a warning bell in your head, you will be wise to find another online merchant.

14. Be Wary of Identity Theft

As e-commerce becomes more common, there will be more cases of identity theft committed over the Internet. Imposters are likely to obtain their victims' identifying information using low-tech means like dumpster diving, mail theft, or workplace access to SSNs. But they are increasingly using the web to apply for new credit cards and to purchase goods and services in their victims' names.

The same advice for avoiding low-tech identity theft applies to shopping on the Internet. Many are mentioned in the above tips. Most important: Be aware of who you are buying from. And use true credit cards for purchases, not debit cards.

We recommend that you check your credit card bills carefully for several months after purchasing on the Internet. Look for purchases you did not make. If you find some, immediately contact the credit card company and file a dispute claim.

Order your credit reports at least once a year and check for accounts that have been opened without your permission. (See PRC Fact Sheet 17a , "Identity Theft: What to Do if It Happens to You," www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs17a.htm.)

15. Consider Using Single-use Card Numbers

Consumers using some brands of credit cards can get "virtual credit cards," or single-use card numbers, that can be used at an online store. The randomly generated substitute 16-digit number can also be used to buy goods and services over the phone and through the mail but can't be used for in-store purchases that require a traditional plastic card.

With this free service, you never need to give out your real credit card number online. Among the card companies offering it are Citibank and the Discover card.

16. Be Cautious with "Electronic Signatures"

A recent federal law enables shoppers to verify online purchases with merchants using an "electronic signature." Usually, this process is nothing more than clicking on a box that says you accept the terms of the order.

The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, also known as the E-Sign Act, is a complex law. It states that electronic signatures and electronic records used in interstate and foreign commerce will not be denied validity just because they are in electronic form. Further, the law says that online purchases do not need to be accompanied by the more traditional handwritten signature on a paper document.

Consumer advocates opposed the law because it lacks important safeguard against fraud. For example, the law does not require online merchants to comply with such standards as message integrity (security and accuracy in transmission), privacy of customer data, and authentication of sender.

The faults of the E-Sign Act require you to shop cautiously on the Internet. The tips offered in this guide will help you make sure the online companies you choose are secure and honest.

Additional Resources

Listed below are web sites that provide additional information about shopping online.

www.bbb.org and www.bbbonline.org
The Better Business Bureau certifies web merchants with a privacy seal of approval. You can research merchants through the BBB and also report e-commerce fraud problems at these sites.

www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline
Created by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to provide shopping tips for buying online prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs on the web.

www.fraud.org
The National Fraud Information Center, a program of the National Consumers League, m aintains information about online scams and lets you file complaints online.

www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/glblalrt.htm
The Federal Trade Commission's online shopping advice.

www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/online/auctions.htm
The Federal Trade Commission's tips on Internet auctions.

www.ic3.gov
The FBI's Internet Fraud Complaint Center allows you to report suspected cases of Internet and e-commerce fraud.

www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com Federal law enforcement and industry task force helps prevent consumers from becoming victims of an Internet fraud schemes.
www.onguardonline.gov FTC, other federal agencies, and the technology industry offer advice on identity theft, phishing, spyware, spam, online shopping and more.
www.safeshopping.org
Online shopping tips provided by the American Bar Association.

www.shopthenet.org
The Direct Marketing Association's site of member merchants who comply with the federal "Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule" that requires, for example, deliveries in 30 days.

www.wiredsafety.org Provides assistance, information and education to Internet users including identity and credential theft, online fraud and hacking.

Buying a HD-TV? Here's what to look for!

2007-12-04T16:33:00.001-08:00

Electronics are normally the hottest category during the holiday gift giving season. As with last year, High-Definition TV's will be a big ticket item that a number of people will buy. Here are 6 things to consider before buying that big screen TV during the holiday season:

1. Plasma or LCD? HD sets come in a confusing variety of technologies -- plasma, LCD, DLP, LCOS and SXRD (Sony's version of LCOS). What the letters mean is unimportant. These technologies all show a high-quality picture. They just deliver it in different ways. Yet there are important differences. Plasma is generally seen as best for movies, LCDs for daytime viewing and sports. DLP and LCOS sets might provide the best value and overall picture. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. However for home usage, LCD or Plasma shouldn't make a difference if buying a reputable brand that provides a good warranty.

2. Think big. "High-def" looks best on a large TV. Buy the biggest set you can afford, but make sure it fits the space. A 37-inch screen may work best in a bedroom, but a 60-inch screen is ideal in a large entertainment center. "The most important thing is deciding what TV is right for the room it will be in," said Phillip Swann, who runs HD Predictions, a consumer Web site dedicated to industry news.

3. Avoid a numbers game. The latest HDTVs tout a "1080p" signal and carry a higher price, but the advantage is small. Older models with a "resolution" of 1080i, 720p or 768p (LCD and plasma) also deliver a great picture. Unless you like to sit close to a big TV, sets based on lower resolutions are perfectly fine and less expensive while supplies last.

4. Thin is beautiful. But don't limit yourself to a pricey flat-panel plasma or LCD. Sets based on DLP, LCOS and SXRD technology are cheaper and can deliver a superior picture. Most are less than 15 inches deep or half the thickness of big tube TVs popular a decade ago.

5. Count the total cost. While sets based on DLP and LCOS technology are cheaper, they may cost more to own in the long run. Why? These sets use bulbs (average cost: $A500) that need to be replaced after roughly 3,000 to 5,000 hours of viewing. To fix that problem, Samsung has introduced a line of DLP sets based on so-called LED technology that do not require extra bulbs. LCDs and plasmas generally last at least 20,000 to 30,000 hours.

6. Listen up. You've bought an expensive TV, but save some cash for a decent sound system. Home theaters are not the by-product of tinny speakers that rattle at higher volumes. A nice high-def picture deserves great sound to go along with it. The good news is some surprisingly good audio systems -- at least five speakers and a subwoofer -- can be had for as little as $500. Also, with HDTV's, make sure you use the HDMI cable to optimize the picture and sound quality.

Top Online Retail Sites

2007-12-02T10:26:00.000-08:00

From the NY Times:

Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) and Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving) get all the publicity as busy holiday shopping days. But when it comes to online retail traffic, Thanksgiving itself outperforms both days — and has been the busiest day of the entire holiday season for the last four years, according to Hitwise, an online research firm.

But it’s more of a day for looking (and maybe getting away from the family?) than buying. For actual online sales, a day in mid-December is likely to top the list. Last year it was Dec. 13, when $667 million in sales was recorded, according to comScore, another online data firm.

On Thanksgiving this year, three companies that also have brick-and-mortar stores received the greatest share of online traffic: Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Circuit City. On Cyber Monday (presumably after people did not find what they wanted after visiting actual stores on Black Friday) a Web-only company, Amazon.com, was the busiest retail site.

Online Billing System - A review

2007-11-30T18:09:00.000-08:00

From the Washington Post...

Buying things online can make a simple thing absurdly complicated.

Different sites sell the same product online or claim to find the lowest price, and the varying delivery options offered by these retailers can make the search for the perfect deal so confusing that you wind up buying nothing.

For years, there's been no real choice in how to purchase stuff online: Either you cough up a credit card number or you get nothing. But now a few money-transfer services want to carve out a bigger chunk of the business for themselves. And they're holding out some attractive incentives to make that happen.

None of these three services -- eBay's PayPal, Google Checkout or Bill Me Later -- can save you money on their own. None will let you spend a cent without linking your bank account to one of the online services; they only provide a different path for your money to flow to an online merchant.

(They can provide a little more security, in that merchants don't see your account numbers, so you can't lose them to hackers in the event of a data breach.)

It's the retailer, not the customer, who has the real motivation to encourage the use of these payment services: They come with lower transaction fees than most credit card purchases.

So to get users into the habit of using them all the time, not just for the occasional auction or person-to-person transaction, online shops and these services are kicking back some of their proceeds to consumers. It's the sort of freebie you might have thought had vanished in the late 1990s dot-com implosion.

PayPal is making one of the most aggressive marketing efforts this year. It's offering 20 percent rebates on purchases at a variety of online stores, including Barnes & Noble, eBags.com and Overstock.com, through as late as Dec. 10. PayPal's offer doesn't specify an expiration date and caps the total rebate at $50 per account; see http://paypal.com/holiday/ for the fine print.

These rebates, unlike the ones we've grown to hate in physical stores, don't require mailing any paperwork. But you will have to wait until as late as Jan. 31 for the money to appear in your PayPal account, the company says.

Using Google Checkout, a newer and less popular competitor, provides a different array of discounts: Dozens of retailers accepting Google Checkout have agreed to knock $5 to $50 off transactions with this PayPal rival. The usual discount, however, is $10, and you have to buy by Dec. 17 (http://google.com/checkout/promotions.html).

Many of these retailers are also providing free shipping. Google is offering frequent-flier miles in a handful of airline programs to customers through Dec. 31.

Bill Me Later ( http://billmelater.com), the smallest of these three services, has about the same promotions. A handful of merchants, including some of the same firms participating in PayPal's rebates, are offering discounts to users of this service.

Many other merchants are providing free shipping to Bill Me Later users; at other sites, customers of this service can have up to $15 of shipping charges on a purchase reimbursed.

Bill Me Later is also letting people wait up to 90 days to pay for purchases at about 150 retailers; at a few dozen more, you can go six months without paying. You would, of course, be unwise to indulge in either of these last two options without having the money you'll need in the bank and earning some sort of interest.

Before you get too swayed by any of these promotions, though, remember that none of them create money out of thin air. In some cases, you're better off ignoring them entirely.

For instance, if your credit card will double the term of a manufacturer's warranty on a new laptop or HDTV, that should be worth a lot more than getting $10 back two months from now.

It's also a mistake to think that any one good deal will last in a market as competitive as retail. Next month and next year may bring different promotions; it may not bring any deals that come close to this season's offers.

The trick with these promotions is to treat them as the temporary distortions in the market that they are. In other words, let yourself be bribed -- but don't stay bribed.

Price-comparison sites make online shopping easy

2007-11-29T18:50:00.000-08:00

From USA Today :

Want to find the best price for holiday purchases online? You don't have to surf one Web store after another. Tap into the power of a price-comparison site.

Practically everything sold on the Internet is searchable through these sites: airplane tickets, cars, clothes, computer and technology-related goods, food and drink, jewelry, office equipment, toys and more. Most sites use similar interfaces. Once you master one, you can easily navigate the others.

They are most efficient when you know the make and model of an item. For example, enter "Canon PowerShot S500 digital camera" into a price-comparison site. It will return a list of online stores that have the camera, along with their prices.

But often you will get more than pricing information. Most sites allow you to enter your ZIP code. This way, shipping is automatically calculated. The site may also include the condition of the product (new, used, refurbished). And sites generally show how previous buyers rated the stores.

Search sites Google (froogle.google.com), MSN (shopping.msn.com) and Yahoo (shopping.yahoo.com) have gotten into the price-aggregating business. All three do a good job of keeping an eye on prices at dozens of stores. In fact, the quantity of stores they return can be overwhelming. Froogle's site is still in testing, so it is not as user-friendly or complete as the others.
But what happens when you know you want a digital camera but are unsure of what to buy? Sites like Become (www.become.com), Pricegrabber (www.pricegrabber.com), PriceSCAN (www.pricescan.com) and Shopping (www.shopping.com) allow you to narrow down choices. You can generically search for items by category, such as apparel, books, computers, digital cameras, movies, and so on.

Once you have chosen a category, you can start weeding out undesirable makes and models. For example, from Pricegrabber's home page, select digital cameras under the Photography heading. You are directed to a page that allows you to view digital cameras, batteries, lens accessories and more.

After choosing the digital cameras link, you can focus in on what you want by setting parameters: the number of megapixels, the optical zoom, the type of memory storage it uses (CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Secure Digital card, MultiMediaCard, etc.), LCD screen size, weight, condition (new or used), price range and even manufacturer.

By choosing the features that you want within a desired price range, you should be able to find a few standout candidates. Once you have a few makes and models, you can read both consumer and expert reviews to determine the best fit for you.

There are also product-specific sites that are handy for focused searches. For example, Bookfinder (www.bookfinder.com) is the place to go when looking for new, used, rare and out-of-print books. Phonescoop (www.phonescoop.com) specializes in cellular phones and wireless plans.

Price-comparison sites do not necessarily monitor the same stores. So you may have to check multiple sites for the best price. It also pays to check ratings of the stores listed. Some offer fabulous service; others are not so good. Save yourself some grief — pay a little extra and stick with highly rated stores. That's my policy, and I have never been burned.

2007-11-29T15:29:00.000-08:00

From marketwatch.com, here are some good online shopping tips for the holiday season:

Shop the night before

If you're looking for the cheapest prices on the "hottest" items, you may want to start your shopping online the night before. Why? A number of retail outlets post their Weekend sales prices online on Thursday or Friday night, Yochim says. Snagging "must-have" items online in advance of the sales rush means you'll get the best price without having to worry about the store running out of the product you're after.

Search for coupon codes

If you're shopping online, be sure to take advantage of coupon codes. "If you're not, you're leaving money on the table," says Yochim. New to the world of coupon codes? Don't worry, it's easy. Just plug the name of the product you're looking for into your search engine along with the words "coupon code." If there is a coupon available, a link should appear, providing you with a discount code to plug in when you order online. You can also find deals on Web sites, such as Currentcodes.com, Couponcabin.com and Dealcoupon.com.

Research store return policies

A number of retailers are changing their return policies just for the holiday season, says Yochim, which means if you're not careful you could get stuck with some hefty fees for returns and exchanges. Stores' return policies are generally posted on their Web sites. You can also ask a clerk to help decode the fine print on the back of your receipt. But beware: many holiday employees are temporary and may not be clear on store policy.

Order must-have items early

If snagging the best deal is less important than making sure that you get your hands on this season's hottest toys, it's important to get a head-start on your shopping. Last year, retailers vastly overestimated the demand for a number of products and were forced to sell merchandise at bargain basement prices. To ensure this doesn't happen again, many stores are only stocking the bare minimum this holiday season, so supplies could run low, Yochim warns.

Beware of "sales"

Just because something is on "sale," doesn't mean it's a good deal. So before you buy, do some retail recon. Go online and compare prices. "The more Web sites you visit to get an apples-to-apples comparison, the easier it will be to recognize a real deal," Yochim says. When you're ready to buy make sure you know exactly what's included in the purchase price or you may find yourself shelling out more for expensive "add-ons." Hint: If you're shopping in stores, bring hard-to-beat online offers to your local retailer and see if it will match the price.

Watch out for "warranties"

Many salespeople make commissions off warranties, so if you're in the market for consumer electronics or appliances be prepared to get the hard sell. Yochim advises steering clear of warranties unless you're buying a product that hasn't been on the market long enough to have established reliability ratings. If you do opt for a warranty, you shouldn't be paying more than 20% of the product's purchase price, according to Consumer Reports.

Sweat the big stuff.

If you don't have time to methodically search out the best deals for everything on your list, Yochim recommends concentrating your energy on big-ticket items, such as televisions and computers, where you can net the most significant savings.

About this blog

2007-11-29T09:25:00.001-08:00

This blog is a place I have setup to provide some straightforward views and advice related to online retailing. I will review some of our top online retail sites, share good sites I find and generally try to provide some helpful information to my readers. I would love to hear your views and ideas as well.

Good luck shopping!

Sarah