Saturday, December 19, 2009

How to Find Great Bargains Online This Holiday Season

This is a story I published in eHow.

Trying to be more frugal during this holiday gift-giving season? You can find many ways to do it online. There are great bargains, discounts, and coupons galore to help you be a smarter gift giver. Here are some tips for finding great bargains online.

. Research products.
If someone on your gift-giving list asks for a digital camera, for example, you can research the best models online. Go to consumer review sites like Consumer Reports and read the product reviews. Remember, the most expensive product is not always the best one. You may find a cheaper product that actually has better quality and more of the features you want.
. Look for coupon/discount sites. Sites like Dealio have hundreds of new discounts, coupons, and deals every day.
. Visit auction sites. You can find great bargains on sites like eBay, but you have to know what you’re doing. If you’ve never used these sites, join one early in the holiday season and spend some time learning the ropes before you actually bid on an item. The more you use these sites, the more great deals you’ll find.
. Don’t forget Craigslist. People post 40 million ads a month on Craigslist, selling thousands of products and services. These are usually not new products, but many are in very good condition. You can be kind to your budget and find great bargains if you search Craigslist wisely.
. Check out sites where individuals can sell their wares. Want something unusual, that you can’t find in a store? Visit sites like Etsy, where people sell handmade arts and crafts, or CaféPress, where folks sell t-shirts, mugs, calendars, artwork, and other unusual gifts they have designed. You can find some great bargains at these sites. In many cases these items are cheaper than what you’d pay in a store, and they’re a lot more creative and unusual.

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