 Last Minute Shopping Ideas
It's crunch time. You've got a business to run, and still haven't finished
your shopping. Or, if you’re like me, maybe you've barely started. So, how are
you going to get your work and the shopping done? And how are you going to find
the time to make sure you're getting a good deal?
The solution is at your fingertips.
If you hurry, you can do your window-shopping and purchasing online – and get
some great bargains while you're at it. How?
Joel Comm, owner of
Dealofday.com,* a popular
bargain-hunting Site, offers these twelve shopping and savings.
1.Tap the collective wisdom of seasoned bargain shoppers on message
forums. Site such as DealofDay.com feature interactive member forums
discussing topics such as Internet deals, how to find free stuff, and coupon
clipping.
2. Seek out online coupons provided by merchants eager to provide special
discounts and offers. It is not uncommon to find discounts of $50 or more on
purchases made online. While not a secret, the key is knowing where to find the
coupon codes. Bargain-hunting sites frequently maintain a database of hundreds
of coupons, usually searchable by topic and/or category.
3. Check for special rebate offers, often buried within a merchant's site.
Sometimes these will be highlighted associated with products, such as at
Amazon.com. Other times a merchant will provide one rebate page that provides a
complete list of all rebates available. Look for a link to "site map" or
something similar to find pages that may have gold buried deeper in the site.
4. If you absolutely, positively have to have the merchandise by Christmas
or another specified day, be sure to check the merchant's delivery schedule and
shipping guarantee. There won't be much "rockin' around the Christmas tree"
if the gift doesn't arrive in time.
5. Coupons clipped in the "real world" may be able to be applied online.
Office supply stores such as Office Depot and Staples are notorious for
providing coupon codes in printed mailers and newspaper pull-out sections.
Often, these coupons provide savings that can be used in the digital realm.
6. Take advantage of "stacking" offers. Shrewd planning may allow you
to take advantage of a merchant's "first-time buyer" discount along with another
coupon. Also watch for merchants giving away freebies with a purchase of a given
dollar amount.
7. Use online price comparison shopper tools to determine which merchant
provides the lowest price. Along with the retail amount, these tools will
also give you an indication of potential tax and shipping costs, helping you
determine the bottom line before you even reach the merchant's site.
8. Check the reputation of the merchant before purchasing from them.
Sites such as Bizrate.com provide ratings from consumers.
9. Paying with a credit card online is safer than its real-world
counterpart. With no paper trail left behind, you are in much better hands
than you might believe. Be sure that the merchants checkout is "secure". Most
will provide the information up-front, but you can always tell by checking your
web browser for the "lock" icon, or, look for "https" in the url of the checkout
site.
10. Check auction sites such as eBay to find potential deals. Dealers
with overstock and/or collectors with the much sought-after item may have just
what you are looking for. Be sure to check the seller's feedback ratings
(determined by clicking the number in parentheses after their user name) and
examine some of the previous auctions they have been involved in. And remember,
if a $5000 plasma television for $700 sounds too good to be true, it probably
is. Don't fall prey to the criminals that may take your money without making
good on their promises.
11. Take your time. One of the greatest benefits of shopping online is
not having to fight the crowds and risk being trampled. Use all of the tools at
your disposal to find exactly what you are looking for at a fair price.
12. Have fun! Make friends with other bargain hunters on the net and
apply your newfound knowledge year round. Then calculate your savings of time
and money and give yourself a pat on the back.
*DealofDay.com is
part of the InfoMedia, Inc. family of web sites, which also includes
WorldVillage.com, FreeBitz.com and Prizepot.com. Founder Joel Comm has been a
technology buff for more than 25 years.
Recent Columns
About the author
Janet Attard is the founder of
the award-winning Business
Know-How small business web site and information resource. Janet is
also the author of The
Home Office And Small Business Answer Book and of Business
Know-How: An Operational Guide For Home-Based and Micro-Sized Businesses with
Limited Budgets.
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