Consumer Information and Online Shopping

Scroll down to find links, click on an index link (just below), or try Ctrl-F to find a subject.

Multi malls | Shop bots | Auctions and resale | Book stores | Clothing | Computers | Coupons, freebies, and bargains | Department and home stores | Drug stores | Electronics | Entertainment | Food | Gardening | Gifts and gift certificates | Hardware and home repair | Office supplies | Shoes and bags | Sporting goods | Toys | Vehicles

Intro – Online shopping is BIG business, even in a down economy.

According to Nielsen/Netratings, online shopping has been growing at about 10 percent per year. The number for this year will probably be lower, because of the slow economy, but practical gifts are expected to do well. The most popular categories for online shoppers will probably include consumer electronics, toys/video games, books/music/videos, apparel, home and garden, computer hard/software, jewelry, flowers and gifts. There may also be more special offers than ever, but before you rev up your mouse...

Equipment

1. Do your Windows updates (for the best security and encryption).
2. Add SiteAdvisor to your web browser, visit http://www.siteadvisor.com
3. Get an e-mail address.
4. Plan to use a credit card or PayPal (not checks, or money orders)

Warnings

1. It's best to shop at home (not the library, cybercafe, or the neighbor’s house) where someone might accidentally add to your order.
2. Make sure you’re on a secure page before entering credit card number (lock icon).
3. Know who you’re dealing with. Stick with companies you already know Or do a little background check – call their 800 number or check with someone like http://www.bbb.org or Google their name. You need more than one way to contact the seller, if possible: phone number, fax number, street address, email address, eBay registration, etc.
4. Especially at auctions sites, check the seller’s references. Use extra care with sellers using a free email service.
5. Always factor the shipping costs into your purchasing decision.
6. Never buy an item you learned about via bulk email. Your chances of receiving anything are only about 45% and the chance you’ll be happy is less than 5%.
7. Use extra caution in sending payments to a Post Office box.
8. Check the site for privacy policies, as well as return polices and guarantees.
9. Read descriptions carefully; know what you are buying; comparison shop.
10. Click the "submit" button only once when you’re done building an order.
11. Print your receipt and any related email.

Additional protections.

1. Most credit card companies only have you liable for the first $50 of fraud.
2. Credit card companies will usually help if you don’t receive your merchandise or its shoddy. (Some don’t mediate purchases more than 100 miles from home.)
3. Report bad merchants to:
• Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
• Better Business Bureau http://www.bbb.org

1. Consumer World http://www.consumerworld.org
2. Consumer World's Holiday Tips http://www.consumerworld.org/pages/holidaytips.htm
3. Consumer Reports via MeL Databases http://mel.org, then click Databases and General OneFile.
4. Internet Scambusters http://www.scambusters.org
5. Safeshopping.org http://www.safeshopping.org
6. Rate It All http://www.rateitall.com/

Consider using an escrow agent for large purchases.

Multipurpose "Virtual Malls"

1. Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com
2. As Seen on TV http://www.asontv.com
3. Buychoice.com http://www.buychoice.com
4. Catalogs by Google http://catalogs.google.com/
5. Collections Etc. http://www.collectionsetc.com/
6. Mall of Michigan http://www.mallofmichigan.com
7. MSN Shopping http://shopping.msn.com
8. Overstock.com http://www.overstock.com/ often $1 shipping
9. QVC Shopping http://www.qvc.com

Back to the top

1. BizRate.com Market Place http://www.bizrate.com
2. Catalogs.com http://catalog.savvy.com
3. CNet Shopper http://shopper.cnet.com/
4. Consumer World Price Check Comparison Robot http://www.consumerworld.org/pages/price.htm
5. Fat Wallet http://www.fatwallet.pricegrabber.com
6. Froogle by Google http://froogle.google.com
7. Lycos Shopping http://shop.lycos.com
8. MySimon http://www.mysimon.com
9. NexTag.com http://www.nextag.com
10. Pricegrabber.com http://www.pricegrabber.com
11. Priceline.com http://www.priceline.com name your own price for airline tickets, hotel rooms, new cars, rental cars, home financing, and long distance phone service.
12. Shopping.com http://www.shopping.com
13. Yahoo shopping http://shopping.yahoo.com

Back to the top

1. Internet Auction List http://www.internetauctionlist.com
2. Dell Computers Auction http://www.dellauction.com
3. Ebay http://www.ebay.com
4. Half.com http://half.ebay.com/index.jsp
5. Online Auction.com http://www.onlineauction.com/
6. Rock Bottom Auctions http://www.rockbottomauctions.com/
7. uBid Auctions http://www.ubid.com
8. More auctions http://auctions.nettop20.com/

Back to the top

Books

1. Alibris.com http://www.alibris.com/
2. Amazon http://www.amazon.com
3. Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com
4. Best Book Buys http://www.bestbookbuys.com
5. Bookfinder http://www.bookfinder.com (new and out of print books)
6. Christian Book.com http://www.christianbook.com
7. Jessica's Biscuit Cookbooks http://www.ecookbooks.com
8. Powell’s http://www.powells.com
9. Quality Paperback Club http://www.qpb.com and links to several other club programs

Back to the top

1. Abercrombie & Fitch http://www.abercrombie.com/anf/onlinestore/index.html
2. American Eagle Outfitters http://www.ae.com
3. Banana Republic http://www.bananarepublic.com
4. Big & Tall Guys http://www.bigandtallguys.com
5. Blair.com http://www.blair.com/
6. Bluefly http://www.bluefly.com
7. Catherine's (plus size women's clothing) http://www.catherines.com/
8. Delias http://www.delias.com (teenage girls)
9. Eddie Bauer http://www.eddiebauer.com
10. Gap Online http://www.gap.com (includes babies and kids)
11. J. Crew http://www.jcrew.com
12. J. Jill http://www.jjill.com (women, all sizes)
13. JC Penney http://www.jcpenney.com
14. The Knot (bridal fashions) http://www.theknot.com/
15. Lands’ End http://www.landsend.com
16. LL Bean http://www.llbean.com
17. Net Kids Wear http://www.netkidswear.com/
18. Old Navy http://www.oldnavy.com
19. REI Outlet http://www.rei-outlet.com
20. Spiegel http://www.spiegel.com/default.aspx
21. Wild Ties http://www.wildties.com/

Back to the top

Computers

1. Shopper http://shopper.cnet.com
2. Also Acer (http://us.acer.com), Dell, HP, Winbook (laptops), AST, E-Machines (http://www.e4me.com), IBM, Packard Bell, NEC, Quantex, Sony (http://www.sonystyle.com/vaio), Toshiba
3. Circuit City http://www.circuitcity.com
4. Best Buy http://www.bestbuy.com
5. Wal-Mart http://www.walmart.com

Back to the top

Coupons, Freebies, and Bargains

1. Bargain Finder http://www.cdrom-guide.com/bargainfinder.htm
2. Cool Savings (coupons to print) http://www10.coolsavings.com
3. Coupon Saver.org http://www.couponsaver.org
4. Current Codes http://www.currentcodes.com
5. Lee's Freebies Blog http://freebies.about.com
6. Retailmenot.com http://www.retailmenot.com
7. You can also do a simple Google search with words like Blair coupon code or Brylane promotional code.

Back to the top

Department and Home Stores

1. Amerimark http://www.amerimark.com
2. Bed, Bath, and Beyond http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/
3. Bloomingdale's http://www.bloomingdales.com
4. Brylane Home http://www.brylanehome.com/
5. Domestications http://www.domestications.com
6. IKEA http://www.ikea.com/us/en/
7. JC Penney http://www.jcpenney.com
8. K-Mart http://www.kmart.com/
9. Macy's http://www.macys.com
10. Service Merchandise http://www.servicemerchandise.com (jewelry and housewares)
11. Spiegel http://www.spiegel.com
12. Sunshine Discount Crafts http://www.sunshinecrafts.com/
13. Target http://www.target.com
14. Wal-Mart http://www.walmart.com

Back to the top

Drug Stores

1. The Canadian Drugstore http://www.thecanadiandrugstore.com/
2. Drs. Foster & Smith for pets http://www.drsfostersmith.com
3. Drugstore.com http://www.drugstore.com
4. Independent living aids (low vision) http://www.independentliving.com
5. 1800petmeds.com http://www.1800petmeds.com
6. Med Mall http://www.medmallonline.com
7. Merck-Medco Rx Services (Blue Cross / Shield) http://http://www.merck-medco.com/medco/index.jsp
8. Vitamin Shoppe.com http://www.vitaminshoppe.com
9. Walgreens http://www.walgreens.com

Back to the top

1. Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and Circuit City (see above).
2. Buy Cheap Software http://www.buycheapsoftware.com/
3. Buy.com http://www.buy.com
4. Cambridge Sound Works http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com
5. Crutchfield http://www.crutchfield.com
6. J & R Music World/Computer World http://www.jandr.com
7. JC Penney http://www.jcpenney.com
8. Office Max http://www.officemax.com
9. Office Depot http://www.officedepot.com
10. Second Act Appliances http://www.secondact.com (mostly tvs)

Back to the top

Entertainment

1. Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com
2. Blockbuster http://www.blockbuster.com
3. BMG Music Club http://www.bmgmusic.com
4. Cheapass Games http://www.cheapass.com
5. Columbia House CD and DVD clubs http://www.columbiahouse.com
6. eMusic http://www.emusic.com
7. iTunes http://www.apple.com/itunes/
8. Napster Music Downloads http://www.napster.com
9. Ticketmaster http://www.ticketmaster.com
10. Tickets.com http://tickets.com/index_us.shtml

Back to the top

1. Bellows House Bakery http://www.bellowshouse.com
2. Net Grocer http://www.netgrocer.com
3. Meijer http://www.meijer.com
4. Godiva Chocolates http://www.godiva.com
5. Harry and David http://www.harryanddavid.com (fruit and gifts)
6. Hickory Farms http://www.hickoryfarms.com (meat and cheeses)
7. Junior's Cheesecakes http://www.juniorscheesecake.com
8. Mrs. Field’s Cookies http://www.mrsfields.com
9. Sinfully Delicious Candy http://www.sinfullydelicious.com low calorie, low carb
10. Schwan's http://www.schwans.com
11. Sweetnostalgia.com http://www.sweetnostalgia.com/
12. Wolferman's http://www.wolfermans.com

Back to the top

Gardening

1. Garden Web http://www.gardenweb.com/vl/
2. Gardener's Supply Company http://www.gardeners.com/
3. Burpee http://www.burpee.com
4. Cooks Garden http://www.cooksgarden.com
5. Gurneys http://www.gurneys.com
6. Outdoor Decor http://www.outdoordecor.com/
7. Smith & Hawken (Miracle Gro) http://www.smithandhawken.com//

Back to the top

Gifts and Gift Certificates

1. Country Store Catalog http://www.countrystorecatalog.com
2. Gift Certificate http://www.800giftcertificate.com
3. Lakeside Collection http://www.lakeside.com
4. Lillian Vernon http://www.lillianvernon.com
5. 1800flowers.com http://www.1800flowers.com
6. Spencer Gifts http://www.spencergifts.com
7. Things Remembered http://www.thingsremembered.com

Back to the top

Hardware and Home Repair

1. Amazon.com for tools too http://www.amazon.com
2. Coastal Tool http://www.coastaltool.com
3. Do It Best http://www.doitbest.com
4. Furnishings on the Web http://www.furnishingsontheweb.com/
5. Lowe's http://www.lowes.com
6. Home Depot http://www.homedepot.com
7. Hometime http://www.hometime.com
8. Improvements http://www.improvementscatalog.com
9. Menards http://www.menards.com/
10. Rockler http://www.rockler.com (woodworking and hardware)
11. Sears http://www.sears.com

Back to the top

Office Supplies

1. Office Depot http://www.officedepot.com/
2. Office Max http://www.officemax.com
3. Quill http://www.quill.com
4. Staples http://www.staples.com

Back to the top

Shoes and Bags

1. Birkenstock http://www.birkenstockusa.com/
2. Eastland http://www.eastlandshoe.com
3. eBags http://www.ebags.com
4. Finish Line http://www.finishline.com/store/index.jsp
5. Florsheim http://www.florsheim.com
6. Hush Puppies http://www.hushpuppies.com
7. Nike http://www.nike.com
8. Shoe Trader http://www.shoetrader.com/pagebuilder/
9. Shoebuy.com http://www.shoebuy.com
10. World Traveler Luggage and Travel Goods http://www.worldtraveler.com
11. Zappos.com http://www.zappos.com

Back to the top

Sporting Goods

1. Cabela's http://www.cabelas.com
2. Dick's Sporting Goods http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/home/index.jsp
3. Dunham's http://www.dunhamssports.com
4. Fogdog Sports http://www.fogdog.com
5. M & M Direct http://www.mandmdirect.com/
6. MLB.com Shop http://shop.mlb.com/home/index.jsp
7. NFL Shop.com http://www.nflshop.com/home/index.jsp
8. R.E.I. http://www.rei.com/
9. MC Sports http://www.mcsports.com

Back to the top

Toys

1. Are You Game http://areyougame.com
2. Discovery Toys http://www.discoverytoysinc.com/
3. Disney Shopping http://disneyshopping.go.com
4. Dr. Toy (info) http://www.drtoy.com
5. Etoys http://www.etoys.com
6. FAO Schwartz http://www.fao.com
7. Hobby Town USA http://www.hobbytown.com/
8. KB Toys http://www.kbtoys.com
9. Lego Shop at Home http://shop.lego.com/Default.aspx
10. Steve Spangler Science Experiments and Toys http://www.stevespanglerscience.com
11. Toys R Us http://www.toysrus.com
12. Toywiz.com http://www.toywiz.com/
13. Ty.com Beanie Babies http://www.ty.com/BeanieBabies_home

Back to the top

Vehicles

1. Auto Parts Warehouse http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/
2. Auto Web http://www.autoweb.com
3. Autotrader.com http://www.autotrader.com/
4. Autotropolis http://www.autotropolis.com
5. Car Prices http://www.carprices.com
6. Car Reviews at TTAC http://thetruthaboutcars.com
7. Carfax.com vehicle reports http://www.carfax.com
8. Carmax.com http://www.carmax.com
9. Cars.com http://www.cars.com
10. Edmund's vehicle prices http://www.edmunds.com
11. Fuel Economy http://http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/index.htm
12. Go Go Auto Parts (Delton, MI) http://www.gogoautoparts.com/
13. Kelly Blue Book http://www.kelleybluebook.com
14. MSN Autos http://autos.msn.com
15. National Highway Safety Administration http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov
16. Tire Rack.com http://www.tirerack.com
17. Trader Online http://www.traderonline.com/
18. Vehix.com http://www.vehix.com

Back to the top

Back to VBDL Web Sites of Possible Interest
Back to Van Buren District Library home
Back to Woodlands Library Cooperative home