SHOP ONLINE BUT PREPARE FIRST
SHOP ONLINE BUT PREPARE FIRST
There are great deals online but make sure you spend a little bit of time beforehand, making sure you can take full advantage of them.
We spoke to Lifestyle expert Jennifer Jolly who had some advice for people taking advantage of CyberMonday deals.
"Some of the hottest deals to be had shopping online do happen today," said Jolly, "that's because 90% of retailers are doing something special for Cybermonday. But keep in mind some good retailers are launching other deals later this week. One big one, I'm not allowed to say who, is coming out with some extra deals on toys, and gadgets on Wednesday. But here's the caveat on that, don't wait too long. Don't procrastinate. Retailers did not stock up on as much merchandise this year as in years past, and already we're seeing stores selling out on the hottest items. So today's a great day to shop online, get a great deal and make sure that you have something in time for Christmas.
"What a difference a year makes. Last year you waited to the last minute, you got things slashed 50%, 75% off, this year that's just not going to happen," according to Jolly.
"Retailers wised up after last year. I've actually seen a lot of places running out of stock, and if you talk to a lot of people shopping on Black Friday, they ran out of the hottest items very very quickly in a lot of stores."
One way around that problem is again, to shop online. "If you shop from a place like amazon.com or bing.com,"said Jolly, "they can scan the globe and especially in the United States, for what you're looking for. They might not have the item in question in the Walmart nearest you but they can find it across the country and get it to you in time for Christmas so it's still a great idea to shop online.
"I have found a few hidden gems online. At vivaboxusa.com you type in what someone is interested in. You can get a small gift to present to them at Christmas then along with that is a gift card for them to choose exactly what they want, in addition. So say they get a wine guide from you plus a gift card to choose six bottles of wine on their own. So it's a way to give an experience and give something that you know will be used."
A word of caution about shopping online.
"You need to be sure you're shopping safe, secure and reliably," said Jolly.
" I shop with American Express for a number of reasons. You get bonus cash back points. American Express will go to bat for you if there's a problem with your purchase. They also offer extended warranties."
If you do head out to the stores in the coming days, make sure you take your phone.
"I bring my phone with me and I can do price check at fastpricecheck.com.
"I also use a site called couponshack.com, to find all of the circulars online so instead of coupon clipping, it's now coupon clicking. You don't need to carry around coupons with you. they're all right there.
"If you're shopping in a store you can actually show them on your cellphone, and they'll take them right from there."
Back to shopping online, you present the coupon code and you can find those at couponshack or you can google the item and coupon code and it'll come up as well.
"Use these tips and you'll be surprised how ten dollars here and 20 dollars there, can add up."
Helpful websites:
www.couponshack.com
www.amazon.com
www.bing.com
www.fastpricecheck.com
