More Americans than ever are shopping online. In fact online sales rose again last year, even when nearly every other segment of the economy stayed flat or dipped.

(ARA) – If there is a silver lining to the recession, it’s the increased competition that’s driving businesses in practically every industry to woo consumers with ever-escalating deals. From car makers pledging to make your new car payments if you lose your job, to online coupon sites that are actually paying consumers a share of the site’s commission on everything they buy, businesses are going all out to grab their share of the disposable cash consumers still have to spend.

That’s good news for you, the smart shopper, but it can be time consuming to separate the hype and hollow promises from the truly great deals that are out there. Online coupon and deal sites in particular offer great savings opportunities … or the potential to waste your time and money if you patronize one that falls short of its promises.

When you’re winnowing winning Web sites from the herd of hollow-promise-pledging competitors, keep this advice in mind:

* More Americans than ever are shopping online. In fact online sales rose again last year, even when nearly every other segment of the economy stayed flat or dipped. This means more businesses will hop on the information superhighway in order to stay competitive, and you’ll have even more opportunities to find great deals.

* If a coupon or deals site doesn’t do business with the stores where you shop, just how helpful is it? Sure, you may get a cheaper price from an obscure online merchant that you find on a discounter Web site, but you’ll be sacrificing the peace of mind you enjoy when you deal with retailers, merchants and businesses you already know are reliable. Plus, you also risk sacrificing quality and customer service by shopping in the realm of the unknown. Look for sites like MyDealsAndCoupons.com that has shopping arrangements with more than 1,200 top-name, recognizable merchants and retailers, including favorites such as Walmart, Target, Macy’s and Kohls.

* You can patronize one Web site for your retail purchase needs and another for online shopping needs like booking travel. But your savings will add up faster, and you’ll spend less time hunting for deals, if you find a comprehensive deal site that offers deals with both retail and online sellers, including top travel sites like Expedia, Priceline, Travelocity and Hotels.com.

* If you’re already spending money online, it makes sense to do business with a Web site that will actually reward you for your patronage. And sites are going to great lengths to reward consumers. At the forefront of the trend – sharing commission from retailers with the site’s customers.

The newly launched MyDealsAndCoupons.com actually provides members with cash rewards for every purchase they make. The site does this by giving consumers a percentage of the commission the site receives from a retailer when a shopper buys something from the retailer through his or her MyDealsAndCoupons membership. Users create a free membership and make their purchases, and 90 days later (to allow for returns or resolving any customer service issues) the site deposits the cash into the member’s account. Once the balance tops $10, the member can request a payout through cash or PayPal.

The site takes its rewards program a step further by offering members lifetime referral rewards. Whenever someone you’ve referred to the site makes a purchase using his or her membership, you get a share of the cash rewards.

Thanks to the economy, increased competition means better deals for consumers, especially savvy online shoppers. Visit www.MyDealsandCoupons.com to learn more.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Having a lengthy to-do list is not uncommon in the summer. Finding time to get the yard work done, complete some repairs on the house and fit in some outdoor exercise isn’t easy, let alone making the time needed to buy all the requisite gear.

Last year, Americans spent more than $130 billion while shopping online, a growth of more than 6 percent over the year before. It’s no surprise that shoppers choose to use the Internet more and more: you can save time and money by checking reviews of products and finding the best deals. Finding online coupons for selected retailers can also be a way to save money.

With the economy in uncertain times, saving money has never been more important for most families as they embark on their summer activities. Here are some tips for how to save money using the Internet this season:

* Comparison shop to find the best deals. Use a search engine to look for the product you want, and find out which company has the best deals. Don’t forget to check consumer reviews to get other users’ opinions on the product you are interested in.

* Pay bills online. By using the online bill-pay option with your bank or utility, you can save yourself money on stamps and envelopes and not worry about running out of either. Oftentimes, you can set payments in advance so you don’t have to worry about missing a due date for a bill, which can lead to unnecessary — and often pricey — finance charges and other fees. You can also approve automated withdrawals from your account to pay for your bills as well.

* Seek out online coupons and coupon codes. Hundreds of online retailers have coupon codes available for customers if you know the right place to find them. One of those places is DefinitiveDeals.com.

The coupons are all added by people — not computers — and the most popular coupons are tested to make sure the codes are still valid, while expired coupons automatically drop off the site. Many other sites build up a large database of largely expired offers.

The site has coupons for travel, home and garden, athletic gear and clothing retailers. You can search the site for Finish Line coupons, and you can save money on your children’s soccer or baseball equipment.

* Look for home improvement tips. After you’ve used coupons and saved money buying all the gear and tools you need for the job, seek out sites that give you step-by-step instructions for your home projects. With online advice to help, you can complete a lot of projects yourself without having to hire someone.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Back-to-School Shopping Online

The back-to-school shopping season can be hectic for many parents. It’s no wonder that online shopping has become so popular when you can shop from home, work, and now—thanks to Blackberries and cell phones—even on the go. But with new shopping sites popping up every day, it can be easy for you and your money to get lost in the virtual world.

Here are some smart tips for online back-to-school shopping that will leave money in your wallet and a smile on your face:

Read the Reviews

Before you buy anything, read the reviews! Just because a product is flashy and has a high ticket price does not mean that it works well or even at all. Trust your fellow shoppers, and let their advice guide you to the perfect product.

Compare Prices

Comparison shopping sites are great for shoppers that already know exactly what they want and are willing to spend the time searching multiple merchants for the best price. These sites search hundreds of online merchants to find the lowest price on your chosen item.

Think With Your Head, Not Your Heart

How many times have you fallen so hard for a hot pair of shoes, the newest MP3 player, or even a 12-cup coffee maker that you overlooked the unnecessarily high sticker price in order to get the object of your affection, only to feel guilty later? Next time, stop yourself before you add the item to your virtual cart. Take a couple of hours or even a couple of days to think about your purchase—do you really want it? Do you really need it? If the answer is still “yes,” you’ll be able to make the purchase with a clear conscience.

Search for Online Coupons

Before making your final purchase, be sure to check out an online couponing site to save extra cash. Online couponing sites provide deals that you may not find in-store or even on the Web site of a particular merchant. For example, CouponCabin.com (www.couponcabin.com) is updated throughout the day and provides deals from more than 950 merchants.

Save Money Even after You’ve Spent It

Most of the major online retailers have a customer protection policy that allows shoppers to ask for a refund of the price difference if the price drops shortly after you purchased the item. Some online merchants will even beat a competitor’s price. This requires some follow-up on your part, but it will pay off in the end – literally.

Online shopping may be an open frontier, but you don’t have to be afraid. With these tips in mind, you and your wallet can tame any shopping Web site.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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More people than ever before will buy gifts online this holiday season, retail experts predict. In fact, online shopping rose 20 percent last year to a total of $211.4 billion, according to a Shop.org study, and the trend shows no signs of abating. So how do you make the most of your online shopping dollars?

“Online shopping is a popular and convenient way to lessen the stress of the holidays,” says Stephanie Nelson, the Coupon Mom. “Not only can you save time and energy, but with a little savvy shopping, you can also find some great deals.”

Whether you’re merely looking for stocking stuffers or planning to check off your entire gift list, Nelson offers the following advice for online shoppers:

* Have your online coupons ready and waiting. As you begin perusing your favorite retailers’ websites for the perfect gifts, sign up for their e-newsletters and begin receiving special holiday offerings in your inbox. Major brands often offer special deals such as if you spend $100.00 you receive an immediate 15 percent discount. That way, if you buy the majority of your gifts at one place, you save money for doing so. Be sure and save these offerings in a special folder or print them out so you have them on hand when you reach the online check-out line.

* Ensure gifts arrive before the holidays. “Most online retailers clearly explain their shipping times and policies, so you’ll know your deadline for ordering,” Nelson says. Enhance your chances for the gift to arrive on time by having items shipped directly to the recipients. Many sites offer gift packaging and the ability to include a note with your shipment.

* Make your dollars work for you – in the form of cash rewards that can be applied to student loans or a 529 college fund. Log on to Upromise.com and search more than 550 online retailers, including top sites such as eBay and Target.com, as well as retail giants like Apple, Best Buy, Red Envelope, and Pottery Barn. When you spend with participating Upromise retailers, the companies give back a portion (up to 25 percent) of your spending in college saving rewards. You can even link your Upromise account directly to your child’s 529, so that available funds conveniently go directly into their college savings account. What’s more, you can invite friends and family to join in by registering for their own Upromise account and designating their spending to benefit your child’s college fund.

* Don’t forget about price guarantee policies, which are detailed on each retailer’s site. If your item’s price goes down after your purchase, which is very likely after the holidays are over, you may be entitled to a refund. A site that make it easy to get refunds is www.priceprotectr.com.

To learn more about Upromise, visit www.upromise.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Before the days of the Internet, doing your “shopping homework” consisted of hitting three or four major retailers to find the best price for the product. Nowadays, the Internet has evolved into a phenomenal resource for finding the perfect gift for your loved ones or yourself. Products are not only much easier to obtain online but can be purchased at significantly discounted rates.

Here are some suggestions for shopping online that are sure to find you the best deal without spending hours surfing the net.

* When making major purchases, know the product before you buy it. While you can often find the best deals online, when buying an expensive item such as a plasma TV or digital camera, check out product reviews before you make your purchase. Consider dropping by your local Best Buy or Circuit City to have a sales associate talk you through your options. You will find some of the best product information from a sales associate; however the best deals when it’s time to make the actual purchase can be found online.

* Use online coupon sites to uncover additional savings from your favorite merchants. Online coupon sites are a fabulous addition to online shopping. These sites offer coupon deals that you may not find in-store or even on the Web site of a particular merchant. For example, CouponCabin.com is updated throughout the day and provides deals from over 900 online merchants.

* Use shopping comparison sites when you have a final product in mind and want to search multiple merchants. Once a specific item has been identified and you want to know which retailer offers the best price, a shopping comparison site is the way to go. These sites find the lowest price on a particular product by searching hundreds of online merchants. A new web site, CheapUncle.com, recently launched that merges comparison shopping and online couponing, giving consumers the best possible price.

* You can still save money even after an online purchase is final. Most of the major online retailers have a customer protection policy. This policy enables you to ask for a refund of the price difference if the price drops soon after your purchase an item. Some online merchants will even beat a competitor’s price if you find a better deal soon after your purchase.

* If you’re still stumped on what to get for your family, friend or significant other, let them decide with a gift card. Gift cards are a convenient option and now Web sites like Cardways.com allow shoppers the ability to upload photos and add a personal message on the gift card, making it a little more personal and less generic.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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One of the first cardinal rules of shopping online is only shopping on SSL designated sites.  The SSL designated stands for Secure Sockets Layer technology.  You can simply verify if this technology is in place by checking the web address of the page you are on.  SSL sites begin with “https://” instead of http://.  There are also two other ways to tell if the web site you are shopping at have taken security measures on their site: 1.) There is a padlock icon at the bottom of your screen or an unbroken key icon when you are using Netscape Navigator or 2.) There is a lock icon at the bottom of your screen when using Internet Explorer.

Second, consider how well you know the seller.  If you received an unsolicited email asking you to make a purchase online, check out the business first at the Better Business Bureau’s website (http://www.bbbonline.org).  You can also research a business through your state’s attorney general’s office found on your state’s official website.  You can also get a feel for a seller’s reputation if they have an area where you can check feedback from other buyers.

Third, make sure that you have contact information for the person you are purchasing merchandise from.  Unlike a store that you know will be there the next day, unscrupulous merchants can shut down their web site in the blink of an eye.  Make sure that the merchant you are buying from provides you with a physical address, not just a P.O. Box and a phone number in case you have problems with the merchandise you purchase.  In addition, if you purchase something from an international seller you may not have the same rights as if you purchased an item within the United States.  Check your credit card statement to see what your rights are before you make a purchase abroad.

Fourth, know the terms of your purchase before you buy.  Make sure that you read the terms of your agreement before you click a button that says agree or you submit an order.  Many sites offer a disclaimer that must be agreed to by clicking a button.  Other sites may have the disclaimers or legal terms on a separate web page.  Disclaimers may include information such as waiving your right to return an item or limit the amount of time that you have to return items you aren’t satisfied with.

Fifth, know if there is a warranty for your merchandise.  This is very important if you have purchased electronics online.  If there is a written warranty, it must be provided to you before you purchase the item.  Warranties should include the following information:  the time which the warranty covers, whom you can contact if something goes wrong with the item you purchased and is there a limit to the merchant’s liability.  Under federal law, if the item costs more than $10 the merchant must state whether the warranty is “limited” or “full.”

Sixth, know the expected delivery date of your item.  At checkout, most merchants will provide you with the expected delivery date of your merchandise.  Under federal law, if you don’t receive the item within 30 days of the purchase date, the merchant has to notify you.  You then have the right to wait for the merchandise or to cancel the order.  Exceptions are when you agree to a longer shipping time due to a special order.

Follow these shopping tips and you are sure to have a safe and satisfying shopping experience online.

 

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First, you need to know what keywords are.  Keywords are words that tell the search engine exactly what you are looking for.  For example, if you want to find a rhinestone dog collar to purchase you would enter ‘rhinestone dog collar for sale’ into the search engine term and then press the search or submit button.  If you only enter the phrase ‘dog collar’ you will end up with a listing of every single store that sells a dog collars or articles that mention this phrase.  Always make your search phrase as specific as possible so that you spend less time sifting through sites that don’t have what you want and spend more time actually shopping for your favorite item.

It pays to comparison shop before you buy.  Shopping on the Internet doesn’t mean you have to blow all of your hard earned cash on the first store you browse through.  Comparison-shopping can help you find the items you want at prices you can afford.  Great sites you can visit include BizRate and Consumer Reports.  Both of these sites offer comparisons on the products you are interested in from the cost of the items to the warranties or guarantees offered.  This is one of the best ways to find the items you are interested in.  Some online shopping malls also offer comparison-shopping engines, which can help you identify which merchant has the items you want at the lowest price, including the shipping costs.

Shopping in online malls is also another way to find similar items so that you can comparison shop by yourself without benefit of a comparison search engine.  Remember, not all merchants pay or register their online stores with the comparison search engines so you may be missing out on some great deals if you don’t do a little sleuthing on your own. If you do like the idea of shopping in an online mall simply enter ‘online shopping mall’ in to the search box of your favorite search engine and you should find quite a few listings.  You can narrow your search by entering additional search words such as gifts, women’s clothing, men’s gifts or pets.

Your personal security shouldn’t be ignored when shopping on the Internet.  Before you place an order online be sure to check whether the site is secure.  Many merchants use VeriSign and this logo on a merchant’s site means that they have a secure check out process so that your credit card information is encrypted.  Another way to be sure your shopping transaction is secure is by checking your browser icons at the bottom of your screen.  Secure sites usually have a whole key icon or a padlock icon, which signify that they are secure.  A broken key or open padlock means that you are not on a secure checkout screens.

Not all web browsers are created equal but almost all web browser screens offer a shopping search engine.  Look for icons in your browser window such as small shopping bags, dollar bills, and wallets with cash sticking out or anything that is related to a shopping spree.  Click on these icons and your web browser will automatically take you to search engine listings of places to shop.  All that you have to do is choose the store.  What could be easier for an online shopping spree?

 

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By taking advantage of shopping online, you will realize great savings.  After all, that is a big reason why people head for the computers for their shopping expeditions.  Some ways to save money on your purchases include visiting your favorite retailers online.  Many times, they will have web only sales for customers like you.  They will also unload their out-of-season items at a great clearance price in order to keep the latest and greatest items stocked in their physical store locations. 

Price comparisons are another way you can take advantage of online shopping.  You are saving money in gasoline by not having to drive from store to store to find the best prices.  There are numerous websites geared toward consumers just like yourself where you can do side by side comparisons of products as well as read reviews by others who have bought the product. You can also judge what would be the best price after including any taxes and shipping charges incurred with buying the item. 

Web-only promotions are frequently offered to online shoppers as an enticement to keep them shopping.  You will likely find online discount codes and coupons as well as special deals for free or reduced shipping.  Just keep in mind that if you find a product on one website you like but they don’t offer discounts or free shipping, you can easily find that same item or something similar on another website that does. Competition is fierce on the Internet because each online store is essentially competing against a large global market.  You can take advantage of that competitiveness by even calling an online store’s customer service department and negotiate free shipping or discounts, too.

Saving time and money is part of the reason why you should shop online.  Specialty collector’s items are a breeze to find online and you could have gifts wrapped and shipped directly to your friends and family without having to spend the time waiting in long post office lines to do it yourself.  Plus, the price matching game that many retailers have will sometimes be honored through online stores.  All you have to do is ask about their policies on it.

In those instances when the item in question you find on the Internet is not available, look to the online store’s brick and mortar location and find out if they offer it.  If so, you might try printing out the web-only coupon or special deal for that item and taking it to the physical store location.  Sometimes, they will honor it or at least make you a deal on the price.

Finally, when you shop online, chances are that you will have to create a free account on an ecommerce store website.  One of the questions asked is if you want to receive emails about upcoming promotions and sneak previews of items.  If you choose that option, you will likely benefit greatly with some of the promotions they offer to web-only customers.  If you are worried about SPAM emails, create a free email account and use that address for only instances like this. Taking advantage of online shopping has never been easier.  Thanks to the competition of all the online stores, consumers such as you benefit the most.

 

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With the holiday season behind us, consumers begin looking at all the great post-holiday sales out there. This year, shoppers are projected to spend $21 billion on consumer electronics, up from $17 billion last year, and savvy consumers are demanding technological convergence like never before. And when these popular items go on sale, why not buy early for Valentine’s Day, birthdays or other gift-giving occasions?

Digital cameras, camcorders, plasma TVs, iPods and other gizmos are topping the gift lists for many and according to the Consumer Electronics Association, these popular items will account for more than 25 percent of all holiday gift spending this year.

In the spirit of convergence, picture taking has rapidly evolved from prints to digital images, and now to high definition picture shows on plasma televisions. However, consumers need to know the basics in order to ensure technological harmony between digital cameras and flat screen televisions. Some tips include:

Brand Compatibility – It’s best to purchase your high definition television and your digital camera from the same manufacturer to ensure easy compatibility and added feature sets. For example, if you shoot a series of horizontal and vertical images with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 digital camera and then you go to view those images on a Panasonic plasma, the television will intuitively know to rotate your photos in the correct direction for optimal viewing. In fact, Panasonic has also started including SD Memory Card slots directly on the front of their flat panel televisions to allow for better convergence.

Get the Blur Out – When displaying your photos on up to a 65-inch high definition plasma television, image clarity is even more important. This is a major reason why Panasonic made MEGA Optimal Image Stabilization a standard feature on all of their digital cameras.

Slideshows Have Never Been Cooler – Once you are finished snapping away with a point-and-shoot camera, there is no better way to showcase your photos than through a slideshow. All you need to do is remove your SD Card and slide it into the slot on your notebook computer, projector, photo printer, DVD player or television for a memorable high definition slideshow. Certain slideshow applications will even allow you to add music or captions to your photos.

Sixteen by Nine is Number One – Most digital cameras on the market today shoot in the traditional four-by-three or three-by-two formats, which are more like a square on the screen. Unfortunately most high definition televisions and wide screen laptops display your photos (and new high-definition broadcasts) in the 16-by-9 widescreen format. This doesn’t stop you from viewing images on these high definition televisions, but most televisions will either stretch your 4-by-3 or 3-by-2 format images to fit the 16-by-9 inch format screen or use letterboxes, which essentially black out portions of your screen. To avoid this, consumers should make sure the cameras they purchase shoot in 16-by-9 inch format, such as the Lumix DMC-LX2.

The Instant Art Gallery – If posting your own photographs on your plasma television isn’t enough, there are plasma artwork solutions like GalleryPlayer. This service allows you to enjoy some of the world’s finest high definition art and photography on your high definition plasma TV by using free software to purchase and download the images you like and then play them on your HDTV right from your PC. If that’s not enough, certain companies like Panasonic even offer high quality 42-inch plasma picture frames that will have your plasma looking like a Picasso for as little as $399.95.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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What could be better than a website allowing the consumer to easily research their new car in the privacy of their own home, without the haggling of dealers?  This is a much faster and convenient way to shop for a new car.   For many when it comes time for a new car, the idea of spending a weekend pounding the pavement lot to lot sounds miserable.  With simple clicks and research, you can shop for cars online more effectively than the car lots.  Comparison shopping becomes a breeze.  For the consumer who is intimated by the sales person, this has become the only way to shop.

Leaving the car lot behind will not short-change you.  The advanced technology of the dealer websites provides interactive tools that allow the consumer to customize their own car.  You can see the changes you make to your car with interactive customization tools. Choose your own color; match it with your favorite interior and features.

When you have found and customized the car you want remember, just because you found it at one particular site does not mean you need to purchase it there.  Be a savvy consumer.  The search engines make it easy to find the best deal on the web.  Be sure to use common sense about Internet sales and do your research on the vehicle.  The car should also be certified, meaning the dealer has performed numerous inspections on the vehicle.   You cannot buy a car direct from the factory, and dealers are part of any Internet purchase, even if you’re going through a broker.  Car companies do this in part due to the rise in ecommerce and the car dealer’s reaction to it.  Dealers who feared being marginalized by the Internet pressured car companies and state legislatures to strengthen franchise laws, even outlaw direct-buy websites. 

There are two ways you can buy a car online.  The first kind of online car sales site is a free referral service with a network of thousands of dealers offering discounted Internet volume car prices.  These websites provide new car prices and used car prices. Invoice Dealers and Yahoo Autos are both websites that offer free price quote services from dealers of all makes and models.  Ebay and Auto Trader also provide high rated and websites.

While shopping for cars online you will come across many online credit offers.  It is wise to get yourself pre-approved for your auto loan before starting your online shopping process.  (The last thing you want to do is repeatedly apply for new loans as you search for a car.  These multiple credit report inquires will reflect negatively on your credit report.) This way you will know exactly how much you are approved for. This will enable you to make a better online deal.  If you have the funds available and you are ready to pay the instant they make the right offer, this is an added incentive for them to make a sale.  It is important that you understand the terms of transaction and read all documents and contracts carefully.

The seller will set up an opportunity for you to meet with a dealer and test drive the vehicle.  Most of your decision-making should have been done in your research.  The test drive is to seal the deal and confirm your research findings are true.  If you have done your research correctly and the car is not what it was supposed to be you will know.  No one wants to drive around for years in something they know was a “bad deal.  This will help seal the deal. You can buy a car online the smart way and feel confident about your investment.

 

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