Category Archive: Online Shopping

The Best Way to Find Deals on the Internet

InternetDealsHave you ever had the problem of receiving so many “deals” in your email inbox that you don’t have time to sift through them all? Well, it turns out there’s a better way to find Internet deals you actually want without spending valuable time searching through the ones you don’t want.

“When companies push deals to users — whether they want them or not — they are wasting their time, and your time,” says John Casson, CEO and founder of Daily Deal Superstore — a deal aggregator that brings together discounts and offers from across the web and compiles emails tailored to your interests. “We designed Daily Deal Superstore so that the user is in control. DDS lets them to choose the cities and types of deals they want”

It’s this user control that allows customers to target the deals they want across a number of sites.

“If you wanted an Italian restaurant deal in Queens, and you found that LivingSocial didn’t have one, you may have missed out because there may have been one on Gilt City,” says Casson. “DailyDealSuperstore.com takes the stress out of searching through several deal companies. We show all those Italian restaurant deals from all the companies.”

From a collective search, including sites like Woot!, KGB Deals, Gilt City and Groupon, you can make your smartphone and Facebook page do the work for you. Daily Deal Superstore is a website that gathers deals from hundreds of deal companies, categorizes them, puts them in 10,000 different towns and cities and sends a customized email with offers relating to your interests and specified location.

Smartphone users can take advantage of this new platform too, and the easy-to-use Facebook app makes it even easier, as deals are curated based upon the user’s location, “likes” and interests.

“It will show you deals that relate to exactly where you are and what you like,” says Casson. “It’s simple and fast, and makes it easier not to miss out on deals.”

Better yet, users can earn points every time a friend buys a deal, forever (so long as they are a member). These points are redeemed for reward cards such as Amazon vouchers and iTunes gift cards.

How to Save Money on Shipping

MoneyMailCare packages, gifts, and items sold in online auctions all require shipping -; but among weights, boxes, overnight flights, and rising postal rates, getting a package from point A to B can become pricey.

As fuel and food costs strain Americans’ budgets, many people look to cut costs in unexpected places, and trimming shipping costs can free up extra cash. Here are some tips for Americans looking to save money on shipping:

– Consolidate packages. If your brother’s kids all share summer birthdays, why send gifts in June, July and August? Shop ahead, then send the gifts in one box to save on packaging and shipping costs.

– Plan ahead. Sometimes you must rush items overnight, but with non-emergency items, it’s better to choose non-priority domestic mail services. The holidays, for example, arrive at the same time every year, so send packages a week or two ahead of time. Trains and trucks, while slower than airplanes, also cost less.

– Consider what you’re shipping. When choosing what present to ship to your friend living overseas, you might want to consider an object’s heft before you swipe your credit card. Heavy objects cost more to ship.

– Look for free services. If a company offers free boxes, free pickup or delivery, or other deals, factor that into your overall shipping costs.

– Compare rates. Not all shipping carriers offer the same deals, so price shopping is never a bad idea. One company, Pak Mail (www.pakmail.com), which offers custom packaging and shipping services from over 400 locations nationwide, provides free shipping estimates. Pak Mail uses different carriers to ensure that its customers get great deals on international and domestic shipping, making saving money easy.

Benefits of Collective Shopping

You may be wondering to yourself Collective shopping, what the heck is that? Really, there’s not too much to it. Collective shopping is simply shopping smarter, that is shopping in places that you can compare prices.

Everyone knows that if you look hard enough, you will find good deals on the things that you want. However, this can be a very time consuming and frustrating task to undertake. That’s where collective shopping comes into play. Don’t waste your time searching through bunch of different sites searching for one thing. Search for it all from one site. There are sites out there that bring many major shopping and auction sites into one easy to use site so that you can shop more quickly and more efficiently. I like to call these Collective Shopping Sites. This is a great example of a collective shopping site Number1auctions . It brings many major shopping sites together, plus a few that you may not even know about but could have the lowest prices.

Once you have found your preferred Collective Shopping Site bookmark it and use it every time you shop online. You will save enormous amounts of time and youll be getting the best possible price on the items you need and want. The internet is an extremely useful tool, but that doesnt mean that it has to use up all your time! So don’t just shop online, shop smart, shop collectively.

Online shopping cart: a significant innovation

The perspectives of using shopping carts have always been geared towards the more commercial based websites. These are websites that have catalogues of products to sell. These are the websites that need an application that will make their sales and marketing lives easier. Sure, there are ways that we can go about it but the significant innovation of the shopping cart is something that we can not partially ignore or totally set aside.

The significance of the online shopping cart lies on how, in recent years, online transactions have developed. The internet has become a hub of business transactions. As more and more people take advantage of the benefits of setting up online businesses, the need for an application that will assist people in sales and marketing becomes apparent. Especially since the internet can be both a playing ground for online businesses and those predominantly offline establishments.

Generating earnings online can be very challenging sine you will most likely be competing with millions or billions of businesses. If you thought you have come up with an innovative business idea chances are you havent. Try searching the web and see if your business idea is indeed unique. The good thing about having some competition is you will be thinking about quality to capture your share of the market. However, with regards to an online business, you will be worrying more than just the quality of your product.

On the internet, generating traffic is as important, or even more important than what you have. When you have good traffic to your websites, you can take full advantage of it and convert that traffic into sales. Yes, traffic does not automatically means you will sell something.

When people go to a website, they will remain potential sales as long as they dont actually purchase anything from your website. Here is where a shopping cart application can make the difference. Its the same as a department store. If you see everything on the shelf stacked neatly with complete prices and tags and all, you can make your choices easily. You get your purchase, go to the cashier to pay your order, have the attendant bagged your purchase, and even assist you to your car where you take home your grocery.

The same level of convenience is what online shoppers will be looking for. Nobody will appreciate a website that has a complicated process when you purchase their products. Simplicity and convenience are key elements in any commercial online website. It is best to remove any stumbling blocks. By knowing this you can hopefully convert more traffic into sales by customizing your shopping cart to allow customers to pay.

Fortunately, there are battalions of companies that offer shopping cart applications and definitely there are several options to choose from. Select the ones that fit your preferences and your needs to maximize your chances of converting some online sales.

But aside from the commercial value of the shopping cart, it is a great tool as well in managing product inventories, tracking transactions, generating sales reports, tax purposes, and the overall maintenance of your online product store.

The significant innovation of online shopping cart cannot be downplayed. It has become more than a trend. It is a marketing tool that helps generate sales and improves product and site management. You can choose not to have it, of course. But why remain to be disadvantaged?

Have You Seen These Important Safety Tips For Online Shopping?

Shopping is an activity that is necessary in our lives. Many people spend a small percentage of their day doing some type of shopping, be it for food or some other essential items. Online shopping is when a consumer purchases products or services through the Internet. Approximately 68% of online Americans say they think internet shopping saves them time.

We’ve all heard how great shopping on the Internet can be, and that you can get things far cheaper, as the shops don’t have to pay expensive overheads. At the same time, most internet users express discomfort over a key step in online shopping sending personal or credit card information over the internet. The good news is that consumers are now taking proactive steps to protect themselves to ensure safe online shopping.

Here are a few informative tips about online shopping that Ive learned through my experiences.

1. Before you give your payment information, check that the Internet connections you will be using are secure and that the website encrypts your card number so it cant be read by others.

2. Always print out your order confirmation and save your receipts into a separate folder marked receipts, even if you lose or misplace your paper receipt you will have a back copy up should you need a refund.

3. Some con artists try to lure consumers to their fraudulent Web sites by using corporate names or Internet addresses that are very similar to those of legitimate, well-known companies.

4. ShopSafe is a consumer guide for online shoppers. All shops listed on ShopSafe have had their security, delivery, range of goods and prices checked. If you ever have any difficulty communicating with a merchant who is listed on ShopSafe, all you have to do is contact them and they will do their best to contact that merchant on your behalf.

5. Remember, before you make a purchase or a payment, read the information on the Web site regarding your right to stop payment or the company’s refund and return policies for damaged goods or faulty service.

6. Check the web site to make sure there is a privacy policy posted, and that you’re comfortable with the way your personal information is treated under that policy. Also, only provide the minimum information needed to complete a transaction, don’t divulge your Social Security number, credit card number, address, phone number or other personal information unless you’re sure the Web site is legitimate and you know why that information is needed.

7. When shopping online through a Web or online auction site, look for a feedback section on the site to review comments on the seller based on previous transactions.

8. Don’t do business with any retailer that does not provide its physical address and a contact telephone number for customers.

9. While youre shopping online and you become dubious about a merchant, if the Web site appears to be suspicious or if the offer seems “far too good to be true,” trust your instincts. As my mother used to say when in doubt, dont.

10. Contact your state’s Attorney General’s office (see “Government Agencies That Can Help”) or the Better Business Bureau and ask about the merchant’s reputation. Using the website address of the company you intend on ordering from, check their record with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB is funded by more than 375,000 business members, and the system has provided 60 million instances of service to consumers and businesses. Web sites that display a BBB On Line trademark, indicates the retailer meets high standards for good online business practices.

11. Search for trustworthy businesses using keywords that are part of the business name or that describe the products or services they offer this will ensure that they are legitimately selling the product or services they are advertising.

12. If you should receive an email claiming problems with your order or account, and asking for your personal financial information, do not ever respond to them, legitimate businesses will never send this type of email to you.

If peoples worries about security of personal information were eased, the pool of online shoppers would be greater. It is so easy to compare prices, there are no queues and plenty of parking spaces online. One important piece of information about shopping online and paying online from homeit can be safe and easy, but before you begin to shop online, you’ve got to do your homework, dont be fooled and entrust your personal and financial information to just any Web site.

Internet shopping the best way of shopping

Internet shopping is fast becoming one of the easiest ways to buy almost anything you want. Internet shopping is a way of shopping that allows shopping for required products without going to the store physically. The Internet is great because people are able to shop 24 hours a day without having to leave their home or work. The Internet is changing the wholesale/retail landscape daily. In todays market the online auctions sector is taking about a tenth of all retail shopping sales in the US, and the percentage in other countries is not as high. One reason we use the internet is to buy merchandise at a discount to retail.

One of the biggest benefits of shopping online is the convenience and access to more products and information 24 hours a day 7 days a week. You can buy designer jeans without leaving your home!Nearly 40 percent of remote workers said they use their work computers for Internet shopping. Be a smart shopper and use common sense when online shopping and just go ahead and enjoy your Internet shopping experience today. The more people that shop online, the bigger their expectations. The supermarket industry now services many customers through online food shopping over the Internet. We understand that shopping online can feel risky and uncertain.

The following tips will help ensure a safe Internet shopping. If you follow this advice on safe Internet shopping, this should not be a problem. All purchases are made through safe and secure servers. It’s safe to say SSL is extremely sophisticated software and safe. Always know where your cards are and keep them in a safe place.

The phenomenal success of online auction sites such asQxBid.com andJeansDeal.com is proof that internet shopping is practiced – and trusted – by millions. Of course the other major hurdle for internet shopping is shipping charges, sometimes shipping is much more than the product. Whether we love it or hate it, Internet shopping is convenient, provides a wide choice and competitive prices. Internet shopping is a big time-saver. As mentioned above, Internet shopping is very much like conventional in-home shopping from catalogs or mail orders. Despite the toughening competition, Internet shopping is likely to continue to grow.

Shopping Online: Its Many Benefits




Besides instant communication, and more knowledge at our fingertips than we could ever read, the internet offers us an ease of shopping never before available, especially when shopping for hot tubs. Its as if a magic genie has given us all our shopping wishes: optimum choice, access no matter the location, and the best of prices.

Shopping on the internet allows us to select a particular store or even a brand name manufacturer if that is our shopping style. We can search by product or brand name, but either way, we are able to choose the store we feel most comfortable with to make our actual purchase. We can choose our favorite leading department store, favorite discount distributor, or even go right to the manufacturer if they offer online purchasing.

Our choice of who to buy from is only the beginning; our buying experience is further enhanced by the ability to make unlimited price comparisons. Only the internet makes it possible to compare prices of 10 different distributors of a hot tub without ever leaving the comfort of our home. Some sites offer cost comparisons within a single site, allowing a person to designate an item and to then see prices from several discount online merchants.

Because buying on the internet eliminates the need for an actual store location and staffing, prices are often at a considerable discount. Whether you are buying large items for health purposes, such as a hot tub to help your arthritis or fibromyalgia, or buying something small for spiritual purposes, such as a tiny bronze Buddha, or a medium item for purely decorative purposes, such as a brightly colored abstract framed jazz posterall can usually be found at a fraction of the cost you might expect to pay if you purchased them in a specialty store.

Another benefit of doing our shopping online is the ability to find various ratings or evaluations of the products you are thinking about purchasing. Frequently web sites will offer various customer rankings and even customer reviews of the products, as well as web sites that offer more objective evaluations of items. Researching what you are buying can help guide your final choice, and in the end can lead to increased satisfaction with your ultimate decision.

One thing you need to consider when shopping online is the cost of having your purchase delivered. Frequently, you will be offered various speeds of delivery, with the longer you are able to wait to receive an item, the less expensive the delivery charge. Even for instant shipping, such as overnight or two-day delivery, often the discounted price is more than enough to offset the shipping. This is something you will need to think about when you make your cost comparisons. If the item will be taxed, that is, the distributor has a store in your state and is required to charge state sales tax; this should also be factored into the cost of the item.

When buying online, always consider the date that you want to have the product in your hand; ask yourself if there is a particular date that the item must arrive. This date, if it exists, will guide you in your choice of shipping method, and may, in fact, dissuade you from making a purchase that is not available by the time you need it. If your delivery requirements are more open-ended, and you have no specific time that you must receive the purchase by, you will have more flexibility in both shipping methods and who you order from.

Since more and more people have turned to the internet for their shopping needs, companies have developed ways to safeguard your personal information, especially credit card information. Look for assurances that your information is protected. If you are still wary of giving such information online, many internet companies allow you to print out order forms, and mail or fax them with your check or credit card information. While this may take a bit longer, it can be reassuring if you still do not feel comfortable providing such personal information, like your credit card number and expiration date, online.

Internet shopping also makes record keeping a breeze; printing a copy of your online order is often as simple as pushing your print button. The shipper almost always provides an order confirmation or code, which can be quickly jotted down and kept in a safe place near your computer. Many shippers, besides confirming your order by e-mail, will also confirm the date of shipment and inform you of the tracking number for the shipment. Some merchants even have places on their web sites where you can check the progress of your order, where it offers you several responses, such as awaiting shipment, shipped on a specific date, or expected arrival date.

If you are seeking a very specific or unusual gift, online shopping is often a wise choice. Want a specific animal breed cup for a loved one, or a towel featuring a certain college sports team? Instead of becoming frustrated when your local stores do not carry exactly what you want, the internet can locate even the most esoteric characters and team mascots. It is as if you are able to travel the world, shopping for that special gift to delight your loved one, that gift that says how much you truly care. Sometimes, if the item is very specific, you may have to search several sites before locating exactly what you want, but your chances for procuring a specific item are definitely enhanced by shopping online.

On a cold, rainy day, many of us dread taking an unnecessary trip outside the house. On just such days, we can easily do our shopping online, wearing our most comfortable clothes, sipping our favorite hot chocolate and watching the weather from a cozy vantage point in our own home. Imagine doing almost all of your holiday or birthday shopping for the year in a single afternoon? With the internet, this becomes a real possibility, saving you time, stress and money. Makes you glad to be alive in this day and age, doesn’t it?

Shopping Online Safely – Steps I Take To Protect Myself





The dangers of online shopping are well known. Horror stories abound of people who have lost loads of money while shopping online. You may be tempted to shun all online shopping, because you just don’t want to take the risk.

However, as our lives become and more intertwined with activities on the Internet, it will become increasingly hard to avoid all online financial transactions. Instead of avoiding the issue, why not take steps to protect yourself?

I’ll outline steps I take to limit my online risk. Following these steps are no guarantee that I’ll never lose money. But they greatly reduce the chances that I will lose significant amounts of money with my online activities.

To start it’s important to recognize two levels of risk:

1. My Immediate Purchase Risk – the risk that I will lose money with the transaction I am currently making.

2. My After-the-Fact Financial Risk – the risk that my financial information will be stolen and used subsequent to the transaction I am currently making, possibly repeatedly.

While both kinds of risk are important, the second can lead to far greater losses of money than the first. We’ll cover steps to avoid both kinds of losses, but you’ll want to be especially diligent about lowering your After-the-Fact financial risk.

Reducing My Immediate Purchase Risk

In making a purchase, the merchant’s reputation is everything. When I consider purchasing from an unfamiliar online merchant, I do my my best to establish that the merchant has a good reputation. Most legitimate retailers work hard to avoid cheating their customers, and their reputation will reflect that effort.

Reputation on Online Auctions

With online auctions, establishing a merchant’s reputation is usually pretty easy. Generally each seller will have a score indicating how well they’ve done in satisfying their customers. Don’t under estimate the value of this information. It’s very revealing. I usually make sure that the seller has been involved in a large number of transactions — no less than 30 — but a much higher number if I want to be really safe.

Further I read the feedback that the seller has received from their buyers. It’s important to take particular note of any neutral or negative comments. If the percentage of negative comments is greater than a couple percent, I will probably avoid this seller. Additionally, if the negative comment percentage is low, but there is a consistent theme of poor shipping performance or of buyers not receiving what they expected, I also will likely move on.

Reputation Through the Better Business Bureau

If the merchant is not selling through an auction, establishing it’s reputation takes more work. I’ll usually take a quick look at the Better Business Bureau web site for online businesses (http://www.bbbonline.org). It’s pretty rare to find an online merchant listed there, but if it is listed and it has poor performance, I immediately know to avoid it.

Further, if I can find the physical address of the business, I can use the main Better Business Bureau web site (http://welcome.bbb.org/) to find the local Better Business Bureau responsible for the merchant’s geographic area. Many times the local Better Business Bureau will have a listing for the online merchant.

Social Media Reaches the Fashion Shopper

EFashion_SOCEveryone’s aware of the phenomenon known as the Internet. Since it was first introduced to the public, cyberspace has been changing lives and transforming industries, making communication, learning and even shopping faster, easier and more efficient. Now, with the emergence and wild popularity of social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter, companies have a host of new media with which to attract and engage customers like never before.

Whereas pioneering AM and FM disc jockeys once helped listeners discover new bands and obscure songs, today people are turning instead to their Facebook friends and Twitter followers for recommendations on everything from music to health and beauty products to fashion. Trusting this like-minded and hand-picked group to be free of ulterior motives and therefore trustworthy has made these social media communities hugely influential.

The same can be said for trusted brands. Companies like women’s fashion powerhouse Nygard are using social media vehicles like Facebook, Twitter and their blog Fashioning Your Story  not to only engage and educate their existing customers, but also to win over new ones.

Through social media, companies can offer customers a place to interact with trusted brands, as well as each other. Customers now have a place to voice concerns and provide creative input, helping companies gather valuable information to improve products and services. This open dialogue that social media establishes among the customers and the company helps provide the customer with a sense of investment within the company, while also helping companies better understand their customers.

Yet, companies aren’t stopping there. Companies, like Nygard, are taking the opportunity to thank loyal customers – while wooing new customers – with instant discounts and special offers via social media. With social media, companies have the opportunity to ensure the customer has a great interactive experience with online contests, special discounts and other events, while also driving business to their e-commerce site.

This rapidly evolving social media marketing and customer service model is proving to be the way of the future for most companies, and anyone not harnessing it is losing ground quickly. Get a glimpse of this social media world by becoming a fan of Nygard on Facebook (www.facebook.com/nygard) to see how they are forming a better experience for their customers through social media. Visit www.nygard.com for more information.

What Bargains are to be found at an Auction?

You will find auctions that offer a variety of items you may be interested in. There are auctions for home furnishings, vehicles, art, and even animals including livestock. Many people are intimidated by the process that takes place at an auction so they shy away from them.

Yet this is a perfect opportunity for you to get some great items for a very low price. The biggest factor is that there will be plenty of other people there bidding on items too. It isn’t just you and one other person trying to negotiate the price.

The other downside of it is that your goal is to negotiate the price of anything lower so you get a great bargain. Meanwhile the auctioneer is continually raising the prices higher as long as he continues to have interested parties bidding on the item. Of course not everyone at an auction is going to be there to bid on the same items.

If possible, take a look at the items that will be offered at an auction ahead of time. Most of them offer flyers listing the best items they have to generate public interest in the auction. Try to show up at least one hour early so you can take an up close look at the various items that will be for sale. This way you can confidently bid on them when they reach the auction block.

It is important to remember that you are purchasing items at an auction as it is with no expressed or implied warranty. If you find an old desk you love and would like to refinish check it out before the auction starts. You don’t want to win it and find out it is actually made out of particle board instead of real wood.

Don’t let the fact that there are plenty of people around you discourage you from bidding on the items you really want. If you don’t win them try not to stress out about it. There are generally plenty of auctions taking place in any given location so you may find the item somewhere else.

Of the flip side of that coin, don’t feel pressured to keep bidding more for an item than you really want to because someone else is bidding on it and you don’t want to be the loser in front of everyone else in attendance. Too many people worry about this situation at an auction, but it is nothing to take personally or become embarrassed by.

While you are taking a close look at the various items you may want to bid on, come up with a maximum price you are willing to pay and then stick to it. If the opening bid for the item is more than you were willing to pay for it then pass the item over entirely.

Even if you don’t walk away with anything, going to an auction is a very fun even it itself. There are real estate auctions, estate auctions, and those that offer a variety of other items. It is fun to attend and observe how the entire process works. This way you know the proper procedures when you are ready to make a bid. It is also a great place to network and meet lots of very interesting people.