Robin Lang
SLM 521
April 29, 2005


money


ONLINE SHOPPING

Method
Description
Suggested Sites
Surplus & Clearance
These sites offer a variety of items at clearance prices.  ClassicCloseouts offers brand-name clothes at discount rates.  Overtock.com offers a almost anything you can find at a shopping mall, including clothes, electronics, jewelry, sporting goods, books, and much more.
Overstock.com  www.overstock.com
ClassicCloseouts.com  www.classiccloseouts.com
Auctions
These sites offer a wide variety of items consumers can bid on online.  You can also use these sites to auction off your own items.  Items range from the obscure to the well-known, from inexpensive to expensive, and from collectibles to newer items.
ebay  www.ebay.com
ubid  www.ubid.com
Gift Giving
These sites offer popular gift items for personal or business use.  Both sites allow consumers to search in different ways, such as by recipient, by holiday, or by popular gift items.
Gifts.com  www.gifts.com
RedEnvelope  www.redenvelope.com
Gift Certificates
These sites offer gift certificates.  Webceritificate offers consumers a chance to design their own gift certificate for the recipient to redeem by online shopping.  Giftcertificates.com offers consumers  gift certificates for numerous retail and online stores.
Webcertificate.com  www.webcertificate.com
Giftcertificates.com  www.giftcertificates.com
Comparison Shopping
These sites compare and contrast a wide variety of items, so consumers can make a more informed decision when shopping.  They provide ratings and reviews, as well as retailer information.
DealTime.com  www.dealtime.com
PriceGrabber.com  www.pricegrabber.com

Security Tips:
1.  Pay by credit or charge card, so your transaction will be protected in case their is a problem with the merchant.  Shop with online vendors that have a privacy policy.
2.  Keep a record of the purchase.  Print out the page with the purchase order with the confirmation number and emails you are sent confirming your purchase.
3.  Shop with companies you trust, or do research to familiarize yourself with the company to make sure they are reputable.  Locate the company's physical address and phone number.
4.  Keep your password private and make sure you are using a secure browser.