Get The Best Deals Online
Historically, the day after Thanksgiving, or "Black Friday," has been one of the busiest shopping days of the year and kicks off the holiday season.
But since the boom of online shopping, there's a new phenomenon the National Retail Federation calls Cyber Monday.
This Cyber Monday is expected to be one of the biggest online shopping days of the year. Internet retailers are prepared with all sorts of deals. On The Early Show AOL's consumer adviser, Regina Lewis, shares tips on finding the best bargains.
If you don't have the time or the patience to search for the best prices on the Web, here is what you can do:
- Let the search tools work for you.
- Sites like Shopzilla.com scan 25 million products from 45,000 stores.
- Froogle does the same as Shopzilla, except there's also a local feature that tells you where you can find an item in stock.
- Work backwards. Type in item you want and let them suggest retailers.
Lewis says there are better deals online, even after factoring in shipping costs. But, just like offline, you need to be a savvy shopper to find them. Here are some tips for making sure you get the best deal:
Total It: Make sure you know the total cost, including shipping and tax if applicable. Free and flat rate shipping is widely available now.
Meet The Minimum: You may need to meet minimum spending threshold for perks to kick in. It is the oldest trick in the book but can be worthwhile.
Know The Code: If they're asking for it during the checkout process that means it exists. Type the name of the retailer and "promo code" in any major search engine. Someone somewhere has it and has posted it. Couponmountain.com is a good source.
Lewis notes it is important to remember that after Dec. 22 standard shipping goes away and there's only premium. For retailers, the cost of getting an item to you only goes up. Right now, retailers are willing to eat that cost. When the shipping gets more expensive, they are less likely to do so.
For those who are still hesitant to shop online, Lewis offers the following advice:
- Encryption technology makes online shopping secure. Use credit cards with built-in protectors. It is better than using a debit card if there's a dispute.
- A lot of people feel insecure, particularly when they're not on a big-brand Web site such as JCPenney.com or JCrew.com.
- Look for http// to change to https// when you're making transaction
- Watch for e-mail "confirmation" scams. A reputable e-tailer will never ask you to confirm your billing information via e-mail.
Lewis says a recent survey found that more men shop online than women this time of year. Men adopted online shopping habits early. They buy more electronics for themselves, while women are buying the gifts.
As for in-demand items, Lewis says people are looking for deals in every category, particularly electronics and apparel
Here is why so many people are shopping online Monday:
- Back to work means back to high-speed connections.
- You didn't finish shopping or just wish the weekend wasn't over.
- Dec. 16 and Dec. 22 are also expected to be big shopping days because standard shipping and guaranteed delivery will be gone afterwards.