There is an old saying, "There
are those who have, and those who will." If you haven't shopped online,
maybe this is the year you will (since the holiday season is rapidly approaching).
For either group, the end goal is to pay the least amount for the product
purchased. Perhaps one or more of the following comparison/deal sites,
in alphabetical order and not a complete list, may help you toward that
goal.
BizRate
Popular with many online shoppers. Shows relative price at
various Web stores, who has it in stock, and track record for on-time delivery.
DealCatcher
Check here before making any online purchase. Find coupon codes,
one day deals, discounts, rebates, and free shipping offers for products
and services from more than 400 Web merchants.
DealNews
Updated daily. Reports low price specials in various Web stores.
DealMac
Like Dealnews.com, but the primary focus is on Mac oriented
items.
DealRAM
Like Dealnews.com, but primarily addresses deals on all types
of memory.
DVD Price
Search
Dedicated to DVDs. Create a custom comparison chart of your
"gotta have" discs, with prices, shipping, and sales tax (where applicable).
My
Simon
Shop by category — computers, software, apparel, etc. Even
create an area to save your searches. Wireless accessible if you need to
search while on the go.
NexTag
Find the product you want and enter your Zip Code. You will
see a list of locations that stock it, plus total cost (shipping and tax
included).
Price
Grabber
Potentially grab an unbeatable deal. If you want frugal, enter
the price you will pay for a specific product in a "wish list" and you
will be alerted by E-Mail if there is a deal.
Price Scan
Includes Brick-and-Mortar and Web based sellers. Shop by category
— sporting goods, watches, health, photography, etc.
Price Watch
Primarily dedicated to computer stuff. Browse by type rather
than brand and model.
Shopper
Focuses on hardware, software and accessories. Price drop alerts
show products with recent price reductions (sometimes significant).
If you can't find it above, try one of the following non-comparison
sites:
Big
Clearance
Boasts of "current version software at clearance prices" —
Microsoft, Borland, Corel, and other publishers. Free shipping.
Dirt
Cheap Prices
Lower priced data storage devices with detailed technical information
about each product.
Electrified
Discounters
Deals on refurbished and overstocked computer components Ä
printers, monitors, notebooks, digital cameras, etc. — all dirt cheap and
with a 30 day money back guarantee.
PC Liquidator
Clearance, refurbished, and overstocked hardware and software.
Inventory is constantly changing, and usually inexpensive Ä many hardware
choices under $10 and some software for about a $1.
If you are looking for Freeware (free software; shipping charges
may be incurred unless downloaded) or Shareware (try-before-you-buy software
— usually 30 days, and pay if you keep it), you might try one of the following
sites:
Cerulean
Studios
Trillian, from Cerulean Studios, is a multi-network chat client
that supports all the major instant messaging programs. The 2.2MB freeware
program lets you keep in touch with friends on IRC, AIM ICQ, MSN, and Yahoo
Messenger, all through a single interface. Has buddy alerts.
Copernic
Copernic 2001 make locating things on the Internet easy. The
2.4MB freeware Basic program uses up to 80 multiple search engines to simultaneously
search Web sites, Usenet, and E-Mail lists. (The $40 Plus version includes
additional features and supports up to 1000 search engines. The $80 Pro
version adds utilities to the Plus version, such as automated validation
and scheduled searches.)
CNet
Downloads
Will help you find software linking to thousands of titles.
Well written newsletters and no nonsense reviews help you locate the software
that may be right for you.
Free Software
Now
You pay shipping ($7-10 range) per item. No retail packaging,
but newer full version software. Primary focus appears to be on games and
lifestyle applications.
Freeware
Files
Free downloadable software in many categories. Pop-up advertising
gauntlet may not be appealing but there is always a "price" for Free things.
Kid's Freeware
Download simple software, yet fun, for toddlers, reading software
for school-age children, or computer programming tutorials for older children.
Parent computer safety tips also available.
NoNags
Dedicated to useful, tested Windows freeware. Subscription
to the Plus version adds MP3 downloads and "best of" links.
Tucows
Freeware and shareware for Windows, Mac and Linux. Category
list and reviews make finding the software you want easy.
WebAttack
Internet related freeware and shareware — MP3 utilities, download
managers, etc. — all tested, reviewed, and helpfully sorted.
Happy Holidays, Happy Shopping and Happy New Year!
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