| It's not easy searching through the flyers that come in | | | | high reviews or they are a known name in the industry. |
| the paper trying to find a good deal. But, reality is that | | | | When we do our price comparison we only use |
| that company had to spend money to print that ad | | | | "trusted" merchants because we don't want you to |
| and put it in the paper. It's all cost to that company and | | | | worry about identity theft or getting robbed from your |
| they are going to try to recuperate that cost. How? | | | | hard earned money. |
| Buy marking up their products of course. Thats the | | | | Our trusted merchants have been around for many |
| nature of business. | | | | years, are well established in the industry and have |
| Here is a trick. Although shopping online can be a pain | | | | physical store addresses. That way, we know their |
| at times. You know, like waiting for packages and | | | | track record, we know how they perform in the |
| signing for things, in reality, you can save a lot of | | | | industry and if we bought a high ticket item, worst |
| money if you do it right. Buying from large stores is | | | | case we can go knock on their door and get our |
| good for security and ease of returns but you usually | | | | money back. You should never have to worry about |
| pay a higher price unless they are trying to clear their | | | | that with the merchants we list however because |
| inventory. | | | | they are legit, large businesses. |
| You see, these companies can buy in large bulk | | | | Amazon is another place that is usually very cheap |
| amounts and get great discounts on products. For | | | | and you get your products quickly. However, when |
| instance, a DVD player you might pay $199 for they | | | | shopping on Amazon make sure you buy from |
| get for $79 dollars. But, they have to pay bills, | | | | Amazon. They do have options to buy from other |
| employees, advertisements like the flyer in the | | | | merchants and Amazon has a market place like eBay |
| newspaper. All of these things add up. Although they | | | | where almost anyone can post something for sale. |
| say they bring the savings to you, in reality they have | | | | Usually you will find a "buy new" section and a "buy |
| a high markup for their products and they have to just | | | | used" section. If you click on these you will be taken to |
| to stay in business. | | | | a list of merchants. If you simply add it to cart from the |
| So, how do I do my shopping online? I use many | | | | product page, unless otherwise stated on their page, |
| different methods. I like to use price comparison sites | | | | you are purchasing from Amazon. They will state |
| to find products that I know I want to buy and use | | | | what merchant is selling the product if it is not from |
| review and price comparison sites like this site, to | | | | Amazon. |
| research products before I buy. That way, I know | | | | Another great tool is eBay. However, BE CAREFUL. |
| what I am getting before I purchase it and I am finding | | | | The reason I say that is because, especially in the |
| the best possible price without having to search all | | | | Holiday season, crooks are everywhere. People often |
| over the internet myself. | | | | will post an ad for a product that they don't actually |
| Another good tool, if you have not used is is Froogle. | | | | have. Their distributor may have it but they don't have |
| Froogle is a product of, you guessed it, Google and it | | | | it in their possession. This can cause problems if their |
| offers a shopping comparison so to speak. Be careful | | | | distributor runs out by the end of the auction. Make |
| with Froogle though. Anyone can post a Froogle ad. It's | | | | sure they have it in stock or you may find it a bit |
| like ebay but your credit card number goes to the | | | | empty under the Christmas tree this year. |
| person not to paypal. It's more risky because you don't | | | | I hope this will help you with your online shopping for |
| know who is on the other end of that transaction and | | | | Christmas. Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy |
| they could easily be a crook. So, make sure they have | | | | new year. |