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By Article Writer, October 29, 2009 7:15 am

When shopping for gifts, whether for ourselves or someone else, all of us are looking to save a few dollars. No matter what you’re shopping for, from a diamond engagement ring for popping the question to a scarf for Grandma – you will save big bucks by shopping online.

The key to maximizing your savings is knowing where to look to find the best bargain. And comparison shopping, by visiting various websites, is the only way to go. Instead of fighting the hustle and bustle that comes with comparison shopping at various brick-and-mortar locations, you can find better pricing options and cover more stores with the click of your mouse.

In the past, shipping and handling fees may have deterred you from shopping online, but retailers have started minimizing or waving those fees for customers who spend a certain collar amount. And while major retailers such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Macy’s have online websites, you may be able to stretch your dollar further by shopping with other established, smaller E-tailers.

Here are some examples of price comparisons between different websites and traditional brick-and-mortar retailers.

Tool Time

If you’re shopping for the handyman or woman in the family, finding the right gift can be rather tricky. Because they are sure to already have their own favorite tools, and even many of the latest gadgets that can simplify their work, you may be thinking that a gift certificate to Home Depot, Lowe’s or a local hardware store is the best way to go.

But before you decide to do that, consider buying a gift that the tool guru may find useful, but would not consider buying for themselves. The Black and Decker Storm Station is the perfect emergency prep tool for when the power goes out. Currently, Home Depot listed a price of $99.97. But http://Amazon.com lists a price of $74.88. Here, you will save more than $25 by ordering online instead of going to a traditional retailer.

On Bended Knee

If you’re thinking of popping the question, consider this: if she says yes, the cost of a wedding can range from $10,000 to $50,000 and beyond. Why not get your marriage off to the right start by saving money on your diamond engagement ring?

By ordering online, you can literally save hundreds of dollars. A half-carat princess cut three-stone diamond purchased at a brick-and-mortar retailer in a mid-sized metro area can cost around $2,250. But if you order a similar ring from Blue Nile, an online jewelry retailer, you can save a little money – their cost is closer to $2,200.

But your diamond engagement ring purchase, the ultimate in romantic gift ideas for her, is a perfect example of how finding the bargain E-tailer can add up to big savings. At http://danforthdiamond.com, an online jewelry retailer specializing in diamond jewelry, a similar ring costs around $1,600 – a savings of $600! That’s enough money for a down payment on a honeymoon to Costa Rica.

Trendy Fendi

Handbags are big business, and there are few women who will show displeasure with the gift of a high-end designer handbag. Shopping online, you can find Coach, Gucci, Dooney & Burke, Prada and Fendi handbags. And while there are knock-off imitations you can purchase for significantly less money, if you do your homework by taking the time to do research on the web, you can save money and still get the real thing.

If you went the usual route and visited Neiman Marcus to purchase a designer handbag for your fashionista, the Fendi Canvas Du’Jour handbag would cost you $1,400. However, if you visited http://overstock.com, a popular online discount retail site, you would find the same bag for $1029.99 – a savings of more than $350.

If you wanted to save even more money, you could sign her up for an account at http://www.bagborroworsteal.com and give a gift certificate to the site instead of a handbag. This company is the Netflix of handbags, and recipients borrow or “rent” designer handbags for one week to one month at a time, paying a fee ranging, on average, between $30 and $300. This way, instead of owning one designer handbag that will eventually no longer be in style, she can periodically upgrade her designer look by changing designer purses as often as needed.

Diamonds for the Heart

So you’re not going to pop the question. But keep in mind that jewelry of any kind is sure to make her smile. There are hundreds of romantic gift ideas that include jewelry, but a diamond heart pendant is a classic gift that she will always treasure.

Once again, the E-tailers come out ahead on price when looking for a quality diamond heart necklace. At Zales, a well-known brick-and-mortar jewelry chain, you will pay about $700 for the necklace. At Blue Nile, you will pay significantly less at $600. But if you are looking to save even more money, you can do it at http://DanforthDiamond.com, where you’ll find a comparable diamond heart pendant for $560. This ever-popular jewelry piece, a product available at most jewelry retailers, demonstrates that taking the time to find the best bargains online is certainly worth the time.

As you can see, saving money by shopping online keeps a lot of your dollars in your pocket. But, you must comparison shop to find the quality discount E-tailers that will give you the best value for you money. Happy shopping!

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By Article Writer, October 28, 2009 1:15 pm

Mystery shopping (sometimes called secret shopping) is an excellent way to make extra money. It is very easy to do, you need no previous experience, no special knowledge and no expensive equipment. Mystery shopping can be performed by anyone who is able to go shopping. The mystery shopping companies employ men and women of all ages and descriptions as secret shoppers in order to obtain feedback from a wide range of different people on a wide range of services. Some mystery shopping assignments have to be undertaken by people who are accompanied by children in order to report back on specific facilities in places such as theme parks or family restaurants. (If you don’t have children of your own in the right age group, don’t worry: you are allowed to borrow them from relatives or friends.) If you enjoy shopping, mystery shopping will be a fun way for you to make extra money.

Mystery shopping consists of getting paid to go into a business (eg a shop or restaurant), without the employees knowing that you are anything other than an ordinary shopper, and reporting back to the mystery shopping company. A focus group is when you get paid to sit down with other people who are also getting paid and discuss new products or services, many focus groups are actually held online, so you don’t even have to leave home for carry out the assignment.

The reason mystery shopping companies and survey companies exist is to provide companies with impartial feedback on their employees, products and services. That way they can see where there might be problems and make the necessary changes to improve things.

Mystery shopping companies will pay you to shop, eat at restaurants, have a drink at a bar, visit the cinema, take a trip and take part in focus groups. If you are sent out to do mystery shopping, you might be required to visit a particular shop and just make enquiries about an article to test the staff’s customer service level but, if you are instructed to make a purchase, you are allowed to keep the articles and will be reimbursed for the cost. If you are sent to do mystery shopping at a restaurant or bar, you will be given a budget figure to spend on your food and drink and that money will be reimbursed to you by the mystery shopping company on top of your fee for the assignment. You might be asked to sample new products and these items will be sent to you free of charge. As part of your mystery shopping, you might find yourself receiving free samples to test of anything from detergent to chocolate. (This can also happen if you join survey companies.)

Mystery shopping jobs are obviously easier to find if you live in or near a fair sized town where there are a large number of shops, restaurants etc but, if you live in a rural area, you can still earn money taking part in online focus groups which can be found through online paid survey companies.

After you do a mystery shopping assignment you answer some questions on a form provided by the mystery shopping company and file your report with them. These reports are usually set up as a series of questions with a box for you to add any relevant details the company might request. The reports can usually be completed very quickly and it is best to complete your report straight after you finish your mystery shopping so that you don’t forget any detail. Some mystery shopping companies require you to report to them by phone immediately after you have completed the mystery shopping assignment but, generally, the companies expect you to submit a written report by post or email.

The way to approach mystery shopping is to remember that basically you are like a reporter. You must never add your feelings or recommendations to a mystery shopping report. Your job is to just answer the questions, report the facts and describe what actually happened during your mystery shopping expedition.

If you accept a mystery shopping assignment but then are unable to complete it, make sure you immediately notify the mystery shopping company so that they can make alternative arrangements to avoid letting down their client.

When you start doing mystery shopping, make sure you accept all suitable assignments including last minute jobs and any less than glamorous assignments you might be offered. The top class assignments will be offered to reliable mystery shoppers so you will need to prove yourself and build up a good reputation by making a good job of the lower quality assignments and getting your report in on time. At the start, you might find yourself being asked to do mystery shopping a the local fast food outlet or department store. Once you build up a reputation as a reliable mystery shopper, you can look forward to assignments where you are paid to visit expensive restaurants and designer shops. You might even be lucky enough to get a free trip and hotel accommodation as a mystery shopper.

Always keep in mind that, although mystery shopping is a fun and easy way for your to make extra money, it is a business and you need to behave in a businesslike manner when carrying out your mystery shopping assignments and reporting the results to the mystery shopping company. Your mystery shopping reports will be helping to shape the future of the businesses you visit and you have the chance to make a positive impact on decisions relating to improvements to services and facilities which will be of benefit to you.

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