Electronic Highways
Shop online and save money
Online shopping is not only a convenience, but it can save you money, too. Many online retailers offer free shipping and returns, making the online environment a natural competitor with in-store shopping centers. If you do your homework to find the best deal at a store near you, why not also look for the best deals while shopping online?
One of the great things about online shopping is the ability to compare prices with ease. Google Product Search offers a convenient way to compare products for sale online. This handy search tool lists various Web sites selling the product, as well as pricing information. Just as one would compare sale prices in the Sunday ads, be sure to take the time to compare prices online. You wouldn’t want to miss a deal, would you?
Speaking of deals, there is an assortment of Web sites that focus on offering daily deals. Woot.com is an online store “that focuses on selling cool stuff cheap.” The store sells one new item per day. Each item goes on sale at midnight Central Time and continues to run until it is sold out—or, the clock strikes 11:59 p.m. Central Time. If you’re interested in more than just deals on cool, cheap gadgets, be sure to also check out Wine.Woot!, Shirt.Woot! and Kids.Woot!.
Looking for more great daily deals? Try the Amazon Gold Box. Rather than one deal a day, this site offers deals per hour. The catch? Deals are not all displayed at once. You must check back throughout the day to discover the latest deals. Products vary from electronics to books. If you can find it on Amazon.com, it has potential to make it to the Gold Box.
Why not top off that deal with a coupon? Promotionalcodes.com, RetailMeNot and CouponCabin are Web sites devoted to sharing and discovering online and in-store discounts from thousands of retailers. Another great discount site is RedPlum. Not only does it offer coupons and point you in the direction of secret online sales, but it also can direct you to deals in your own neighborhood. By simply typing in your zip code, you will quickly discover local deals—including restaurant discounts.
Are you ready to take the online shopping plunge, but unsure of the security of purchasing from a virtual environment? The Federal Trade Commission’s Online Shopping and E-Payments guide is a great place to learn about keeping your transactions secure. The American Bar Association’s SafeShopping.org site is also a great resource. It provides tips on everything from security, privacy and payment to delivery and complaints.
Happy savvy online shopping to you!
—Bridget Schumacher, Arts & Sciences Libraries
Reader Comments
Bridget Schumacher says:
As the original author of this article, I'd like to also mention another great coupon web site: CouponCactus.com. In addition to coupons, coupon codes, etc., the site also provides a way to earn cash back on many purchases.
(Many thanks to reader Christina for directing me to this fantastic resource!)
Posted by Bridget Schumacher, Information Literacy Librarian, 07/30/10