How to Shop on Cyber Monday

Dec 022011
 

Cyber Monday has quickly become a holiday shopper’s favorite time of year, especially for those who aren’t interested in lacing up a pair of boxing gloves and bashing it out with another exhausted housewife for the last “Team Edward” t-shirt at Target. Although Cyber Monday may provide you with a reprieve from Black Friday Fight Club, there are still a few things you need to know before your fingers shop until they drop.

Edit Steps

  1. Know what you want to buy. Since you will be able to jump from item to item with the greatest of ease from your cozy seat, not having a list risks leading you down the path of credit card disaster. Consumers are meant to be led astray by all the pretty graphics and animation, telling them that they must purchase this item because there are only three left. Stand strong and stick to your list the entire time.

    • If you find yourself ogling the electronic miniature dalek that marches up and down your desk for sheer amusement or a set of Ninja cookie cutters but you never even had the intention of owning such products, slap yourself back to reality. You don’t need these gimmicks, no matter how cheap or cute they seem.
  2. Devise a budget before you start shopping online. As with any shopping endeavor, know the limits of what you can spend before you shop. The best way to determine how much you can afford is to calculate your total monthly expense as compared to your net income. Add in any money you’ve socked away for the holidays to determine how much you can spend. Or, if you’ve always spent a certain amount of money every holiday season and seemed to pay off your bills with ease within a few months, use that total as your guide.
    • Another way you can stick to your budget is to transfer money via PayPal to make your purchases. Doing this is virtually like paying with cash––when you’re out of dough, it’s time to stop shopping.
  3. Research and do comparisons between merchants and prices. Not only should you do a quick price comparison at least a week before Cyber Monday, you should also know each site’s shipping policy. Generally speaking, free shipping is the goal. However, avoid getting caught up with any offer along the lines of “buy $ 100 worth of merchandise for free shipping” at sites where you only want one item. This could cause you to purchase items you don’t really want or need (like those Ninja cookie cutters). Other research you should do includes:
    • Select several of the big-ticket items (such as a TV, iPods or computers) you want to buy and find prices from a minimum of three different vendors. Having three prices will give you the best way to compare the Cyber Monday deal and determine if you are really getting a bargain. Plus it will give you an idea of which vendor is offering the best deal.
    • Identify sites that allow you to purchase numerous items for a good price, along with free shipping. Superstores like WalMart, Target, Costco and Sam’s typically give you more bang for your buck (and most likely free shipping) when it comes to a diverse number of items.
    • Avoid weird, unfamiliar or gimmicky sites. This isn’t the time to test drive a new vendor with no track record––this is holiday shopping for goodness sake… we’re talking serious stuff. Stick to the merchants you know so you can trust that your item will arrive on time.
    • Look only for secure sites. Since you will be transmitting your personal financial information to the vendor through the site, look for seals like the yellow padlock symbol or “Verified by Visa.” Also, examine the URL. A secure URL starts with https (s for secure) and not simply http.
    • Pay attention to “hidden” additional costs such as taxes and handling expenses. They’ll be noted there but usually only after your heart is set on buying and you’ve already worked through the initial payment steps. Or, they’ll be in tiny print at the bottom of the page. Also, some merchants only provide free shipping for some items and not others on the same site, so scrutinize the sale terms carefully to know which items you’ll get for free.
  4. Know what’s worth buying on Cyber Monday. Some merchandise is typically a better deal than others. The word on the street is that the best items to shop for on Cyber Monday include:
    • Electronics. Aside from it being Cyber Monday, experts say that you can get a better deal on a computer on a Monday versus any other day of the week.[1] Other electronics to look for include cameras, TVs, Apple merchandise, video games and video gaming systems.
    • Appliances. Cyber Monday is a great time to get the cook of the house the blender of his or her dreams. Other good deals can be found on washing machines and dryers, refrigerators and ovens. Tread carefully when it comes to buying home appliances, like a blender, for gift purposes––you don’t want your rare edition Bob Dylan CD being blended along with your spouse’s banana smoothie… Think household gift rather than personal gift.
    • Toys. Look for popular electronic and fad toys to be on sale. It’s typically a good idea to nab those items early as they sell out fast. Parents may also want to consider the longevity of the toy before purchasing. Recall the “Tickle Me Elmo” fad from years gone by––how many of the kids whose parents beat each other black and blue for the last toy are still playing with Tickle me Elmo? Or care?
    • Travel. Thinking about giving the gift of plane tickets this holiday season? Cyber Monday is a great time to check for deep discounts on airfares, hotels and vacation packages. It’s also a good time to consider sending your mother-in-law to Barbados for the holidays, on your dime.
  5. Hit the sales early. Like Black Friday, the early bird gets the worm for Cyber Monday too. If you are awake at midnight, grab a cuppa Joe and start shopping! As with shopping in the stores, some online merchants offer the equivalent of “door buster deals”, which means the offer only stands for a limited time. Some sites will have clocks ticking over with a measure showing how few of the deal are left.
    • If you do wish to buy something that has a limited time availability at that sale price and everyone else seems to be clamoring for it, beware the rush of this pressure sales tactic getting to you. You still need to ask yourself “Do I need this, is this what I set out to actually buy?” and not be simply taken in by the speed with which you need to make the buying decision. A good site will reserve the product for five minutes to allow you time to work through the different payment pages; use these five minutes to make the right choice.
  6. Check coupon deals. Whether you participate in Groupon or receive special offers from your favorite retailers, gather your coupons the night before Cyber Monday. Be sure you read the fine print, as some merchants may exclude use on certain days like Cyber Monday.
  7. Keep all receipts from purchases. Take a screenshot copy and keep the email copy. If anything goes wrong, such as the item not turning up, the item turning up damaged, the item not being what you ordered or it just isn’t what you want, you’ll need these receipts as proof of purchase.
    • It is also a good idea to check out the return terms and conditions, as well as shipping coverage for returned items. Some stores allow returns for a change of mind and cover the shipping costs for return while many others don’t. And some stores have very strict return policies. Know these before you buy by doing some research the night before.

Edit Tips

  • Check Cyber Monday message boards like Slickdeals.net or Fatwallet.com for insider tips and deals on specific merchants.
  • Avoid getting sidetracked by other items. Stick to the list, no matter what. It’s easy to give in to impulse buying if you see a good deal on something, even though you may not need it.
  • Keep a calculator at your computer desk or use the one on your desktop. Cyber shopping can be dangerous because you aren’t physically seeing and gathering the number of items you’re purchasing––this can sometimes lead to over buying. If you keep a running total next to your computer you’ll feel the financial “pain” a little easier, which will hopefully stop you when you’ve hit your budget ceiling.

Edit Warnings

  • Read the merchant’s return policy before you click “buy.” Unless you want to be married to the item, make sure you can return the item without penalties, meaning you won’t have to pay for shipping the item back to the retailer.
  • Only pay via secure sites. Do not give out your credit card details to a site lacking the https protocol.

Edit Things You’ll Need

  • Internet access
  • Budget
  • List of things you want
  • Researched information on deals, terms and conditions and return policies

Edit Related DealNests

  • How to Shop Online Without a Credit Card
  • How to Shop Online Safely
  • How to Find Online Shopping Promotion Codes

Edit Sources and Citations

Article Tools

  • Read on DealNest
  • Email this Article
  • Edit
  • Discuss

How to Shop on Cyber Monday

Dec 022011
 

Cyber Monday has quickly become a holiday shopper’s favorite time of year, especially for those who aren’t interested in lacing up a pair of boxing gloves and bashing it out with another exhausted housewife for the last “Team Edward” t-shirt at Target. Although Cyber Monday may provide you with a reprieve from Black Friday Fight Club, there are still a few things you need to know before your fingers shop until they drop.

Edit Steps

  1. Know what you want to buy. Since you will be able to jump from item to item with the greatest of ease from your cozy seat, not having a list risks leading you down the path of credit card disaster. Consumers are meant to be led astray by all the pretty graphics and animation, telling them that they must purchase this item because there are only three left. Stand strong and stick to your list the entire time.

    • If you find yourself ogling the electronic miniature dalek that marches up and down your desk for sheer amusement or a set of Ninja cookie cutters but you never even had the intention of owning such products, slap yourself back to reality. You don’t need these gimmicks, no matter how cheap or cute they seem.
  2. Devise a budget before you start shopping online. As with any shopping endeavor, know the limits of what you can spend before you shop. The best way to determine how much you can afford is to calculate your total monthly expense as compared to your net income. Add in any money you’ve socked away for the holidays to determine how much you can spend. Or, if you’ve always spent a certain amount of money every holiday season and seemed to pay off your bills with ease within a few months, use that total as your guide.
    • Another way you can stick to your budget is to transfer money via PayPal to make your purchases. Doing this is virtually like paying with cash––when you’re out of dough, it’s time to stop shopping.
  3. Research and do comparisons between merchants and prices. Not only should you do a quick price comparison at least a week before Cyber Monday, you should also know each site’s shipping policy. Generally speaking, free shipping is the goal. However, avoid getting caught up with any offer along the lines of “buy $ 100 worth of merchandise for free shipping” at sites where you only want one item. This could cause you to purchase items you don’t really want or need (like those Ninja cookie cutters). Other research you should do includes:
    • Select several of the big-ticket items (such as a TV, iPods or computers) you want to buy and find prices from a minimum of three different vendors. Having three prices will give you the best way to compare the Cyber Monday deal and determine if you are really getting a bargain. Plus it will give you an idea of which vendor is offering the best deal.
    • Identify sites that allow you to purchase numerous items for a good price, along with free shipping. Superstores like WalMart, Target, Costco and Sam’s typically give you more bang for your buck (and most likely free shipping) when it comes to a diverse number of items.
    • Avoid weird, unfamiliar or gimmicky sites. This isn’t the time to test drive a new vendor with no track record––this is holiday shopping for goodness sake… we’re talking serious stuff. Stick to the merchants you know so you can trust that your item will arrive on time.
    • Look only for secure sites. Since you will be transmitting your personal financial information to the vendor through the site, look for seals like the yellow padlock symbol or “Verified by Visa.” Also, examine the URL. A secure URL starts with https (s for secure) and not simply http.
    • Pay attention to “hidden” additional costs such as taxes and handling expenses. They’ll be noted there but usually only after your heart is set on buying and you’ve already worked through the initial payment steps. Or, they’ll be in tiny print at the bottom of the page. Also, some merchants only provide free shipping for some items and not others on the same site, so scrutinize the sale terms carefully to know which items you’ll get for free.
  4. Know what’s worth buying on Cyber Monday. Some merchandise is typically a better deal than others. The word on the street is that the best items to shop for on Cyber Monday include:
    • Electronics. Aside from it being Cyber Monday, experts say that you can get a better deal on a computer on a Monday versus any other day of the week.[1] Other electronics to look for include cameras, TVs, Apple merchandise, video games and video gaming systems.
    • Appliances. Cyber Monday is a great time to get the cook of the house the blender of his or her dreams. Other good deals can be found on washing machines and dryers, refrigerators and ovens. Tread carefully when it comes to buying home appliances, like a blender, for gift purposes––you don’t want your rare edition Bob Dylan CD being blended along with your spouse’s banana smoothie… Think household gift rather than personal gift.
    • Toys. Look for popular electronic and fad toys to be on sale. It’s typically a good idea to nab those items early as they sell out fast. Parents may also want to consider the longevity of the toy before purchasing. Recall the “Tickle Me Elmo” fad from years gone by––how many of the kids whose parents beat each other black and blue for the last toy are still playing with Tickle me Elmo? Or care?
    • Travel. Thinking about giving the gift of plane tickets this holiday season? Cyber Monday is a great time to check for deep discounts on airfares, hotels and vacation packages. It’s also a good time to consider sending your mother-in-law to Barbados for the holidays, on your dime.
  5. Hit the sales early. Like Black Friday, the early bird gets the worm for Cyber Monday too. If you are awake at midnight, grab a cuppa Joe and start shopping! As with shopping in the stores, some online merchants offer the equivalent of “door buster deals”, which means the offer only stands for a limited time. Some sites will have clocks ticking over with a measure showing how few of the deal are left.
    • If you do wish to buy something that has a limited time availability at that sale price and everyone else seems to be clamoring for it, beware the rush of this pressure sales tactic getting to you. You still need to ask yourself “Do I need this, is this what I set out to actually buy?” and not be simply taken in by the speed with which you need to make the buying decision. A good site will reserve the product for five minutes to allow you time to work through the different payment pages; use these five minutes to make the right choice.
  6. Check coupon deals. Whether you participate in Groupon or receive special offers from your favorite retailers, gather your coupons the night before Cyber Monday. Be sure you read the fine print, as some merchants may exclude use on certain days like Cyber Monday.
  7. Keep all receipts from purchases. Take a screenshot copy and keep the email copy. If anything goes wrong, such as the item not turning up, the item turning up damaged, the item not being what you ordered or it just isn’t what you want, you’ll need these receipts as proof of purchase.
    • It is also a good idea to check out the return terms and conditions, as well as shipping coverage for returned items. Some stores allow returns for a change of mind and cover the shipping costs for return while many others don’t. And some stores have very strict return policies. Know these before you buy by doing some research the night before.

Edit Tips

  • Check Cyber Monday message boards like Slickdeals.net or Fatwallet.com for insider tips and deals on specific merchants.
  • Avoid getting sidetracked by other items. Stick to the list, no matter what. It’s easy to give in to impulse buying if you see a good deal on something, even though you may not need it.
  • Keep a calculator at your computer desk or use the one on your desktop. Cyber shopping can be dangerous because you aren’t physically seeing and gathering the number of items you’re purchasing––this can sometimes lead to over buying. If you keep a running total next to your computer you’ll feel the financial “pain” a little easier, which will hopefully stop you when you’ve hit your budget ceiling.

Edit Warnings

  • Read the merchant’s return policy before you click “buy.” Unless you want to be married to the item, make sure you can return the item without penalties, meaning you won’t have to pay for shipping the item back to the retailer.
  • Only pay via secure sites. Do not give out your credit card details to a site lacking the https protocol.

Edit Things You’ll Need

  • Internet access
  • Budget
  • List of things you want
  • Researched information on deals, terms and conditions and return policies

Edit Related DealNests

  • How to Shop Online Without a Credit Card
  • How to Shop Online Safely
  • How to Find Online Shopping Promotion Codes

Edit Sources and Citations

Article Tools

  • Read on DealNest
  • Email this Article
  • Edit
  • Discuss

Paypal Mastercard

Dec 052010
 

I’ve been getting preapprove email about the paypal mastercard. Is it a good card? What CB they pull?

 

 

Credit
byIan Muttoo

I received a letter in the mail from Juniper (iTunes Rewards) stating that they have closed my credit card account due to inactivity. I opened the account about 18 months ago and have never actually used it. Can they close my account just like that without any warning? How should I handle the situation? (Is there anything I can even do?)

Also, I know that closing credit card accounts lowers your credit score. Does anyone know how much mine will be affected?

Three lines of credit, good for a while?

Jul 232010
 

Man I am estatic right now. I just recently got denied a target red card yesterday. I was really disapointed about that until today. I just got 300 dollars buyer store credit through paypal! 

 

I now have:

 

750 Applied bank card 1.7 years old

300 Paypal store credit linked through Mastercard debit

100 RZ Best buy gold card 

 

1150 total revolving credit

 

I am definitely on my way to my goal. I think I can hit it in 6 months time. What do you guys think?

 

Also in 6months should I get another secured card with my credit union, or should I wait a year and get a regular credit card from them?

Related Blogs

Several Items…Advice Please?

Jul 122010
 

Hi There,

 

I have several items I need advice on….

 

1.  Can I get a paid medical collection removed from my credit report?

 

2.  Does anyone have a contact for  “GW” on First Premier?

 

3.  Also needing contact for “GW” on HSBC

 

4.  Need contact for “GW” on Paypal/GEMB

 

Thanks a bunch in advance!!! 

email or direct contacts

May 242010
 

Does anybody have email adressess or dirct contacts to the following companies?

LVNV Funding

GEMBPPBYCR- Paypal

GMAC

Discover

Bank of American

Friedmans

 

Why Is It Illegal?

Apr 202010
 

Hello All,

 

Why is it illegal to buy/rent someone elses good credit?

 

I am a normal person, I bought my first home at age 21 even though the mortgage payment was more than my “on paper” monthly income.  With hard work savings, and help from family I made every single payment on time or early for the first 3 yrs I owned it.  I tried to refinance several times but never could because the market went down.  Then after being told by everyone I was an idiot paying expensiv e rent I got rid of the house when it became worth less than half of what I owed on it.

 

So now here I am, I live in California, I make good money 100Kplus annually bring home, but my credit is completley destroyed.  I am self employed now, and I was doing major busines 10K/mo plus on paypal,. and they even closed my paypal account because of a random credit check after 3 yrs!  I asked them why it hadn;t been closed before as I had bad cred the whole time, and they told me because of my explosive growth? I replied I thought that was a good thing?

 

Basically they are saying you need good credit to make income.

 

I also got recruited heavily to work for a major financial firm but could not accept because of bad credit.  I make good money but am forced to buy everythign cash and pay extra for thousands of dollars because of this.

 

So why the heck as an American, do I not have the right to compensate someone else for renting their good credit if they chose to let me do so?  What makes a good credit score different from any other asset?

 

If I have the choice of paying $10,000 down payment a $20,000 car, and 29% interest to a bank on  my monthly, or paying someone else $3,000 to hold the loan in their name, and have payments at  5% interest I know which one I am picking everytime.

 

So I guess we have to ask ourselves why is there no freedom with this, who decided that this imaginary three digit number that controls where you can live, what job you can get, and even wheather you can rent a car or have a pyapal account, yet we can not be compensated or compensate others for the asset?

 

To me this is a amazing disservice, and I thinkwith 10 millio  americans now having their credit trashed with foreclosures the economy will not work unless some compromises on credit are made, and it will not come from the banks.

 

 

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