Archive for November, 2009

A Guide to Online Coupons

November 30th, 2009



Consumers can find online coupons for many different things, including restaurants, hotels, health clubs and fitness, spas, electronics, car repair, groceries and others. Shopping with online coupons has become a new trend, and people are saving a significant amount of money each year. Many people receive coupons in the mail and in their Sunday newspaper. However, it is possible to find coupons online. People can purchase coupon deals over the Internet for a variety of things and save on their purchases.

The most popular category for coupons online is restaurants. People can purchase coupons for much less than they are worth. Sometimes, the savings add up to triple the amount that they paid for the coupon deal. More and more people are dining out without having to pay full price for their meals. People can save money when they dine out at restaurants like Friday’s, KFC and Olive Garden to name a few. For example, people can purchase a coupon for $3 and save $10 on their meal.

In addition, there are coupons available for child care, clothes, shoes, pest control, household goods and beauty supplies. Consumers can save a significant amount of money when they shop online. Consumers can do a search online for what they are looking to buy. They can purchase coupons, and pay less for many different kinds of products and items. Many people have a lot of expenses like the mortgage, utility bills, car, insurance payments and credit card payments. By using coupons online, consumers can reduce their expenses.

Keep in mind that the discounts are greater when purchasing coupons online. So, if they are bought regularly, customers pay less money for the things that they need or want. Consumers can find coupons for most of the products that they want, so doing a search before buying is a wise decision. Some websites post coupons and deals on their websites, so it makes the process much easier. They update their sites regularly, with new products and information. Coupons for brand name merchandise are very popular on the internet, and many people are buying expensive products for very low prices.

In addition, many people are taking advantage of online coupons when they travel. They are able to save a significant amount of money on their hotel stays. There are coupons available for hotels all over the world, for any kind of destination. There are coupons for airfare, car rentals and popular attractions like Great Adventure or Disney World. These are just some of the coupons that are available online. There are thousands of coupons online for all kinds of things and the savings are incredible.

By: Jeremy Stanfords

Online Shopping Site Review

November 29th, 2009



I recently had the opportunity to take a look at a new and refreshing take on an established internet business model that promises to help their customers make faster purchase decisions on the latest hot products across the web.

The developers of this consumer product review and comparison site are focussed on the online shopping community. In particular, those who do not have the time to invest in searching for products online, finding the best product to meet their needs, identifying a safe and reputable vendor, not to mention the best price.

There are many of these sites available today and some of them are quite good. Others fall well short of providing useful information more often creating a maze of confusion due to their complexity and high volume of sponsored advertisements.

If you are like me, you prefer to shop with ease and simplicity where you are able to find what you want, when you want it, from a respectable vendor – at the best price available. This new site has a very simple concept. It provides what it calls product review spotlights that are generally limited to three or four items for a given product category. Each of the product comparisons that I looked at consisted of a single page providing links to additional products that may also be of interest to their visitors. What is refreshing about their approach is the simplicity and lightning speed of their site. These guys really seem to know what they’re doing!

In addition to product spotlights, I found comparable products with links to thousands of other items related to the spotlighted products. The site was simple to navigate and was noticeably missing the typical spider web effect often found on similar product review sites. And they do not bombard you with other ads or pop-ups. Simplicity appears to be their theme providing pleasant, fast paced, no-nonsense shopping experience. They even allow you to suggest product comparisons of interest providing a new twist to the personal shopper theme.

The layout of this site is straight forward and the main page states its purpose. Within the side menu bar they present a drop down list of product categories and featured products within each category. What I really liked was the fact that each featured product page has a similar look and feel with full graphics and text to describe the product or service. Anchors at the top of the page keep you grounded as you navigate through the different product listings.

The site states up front that it is focused on consumer trends – basically hot products. So if you’re looking for a vintage items you may want to look elsewhere as this site may not be for you.

From my perspective this site appears to present thousands of products and is currently focussed on information and software products. I did find several consumer electronics and health care products as well. It appears that the site is fairly new and adding products rapidly – all from respected online sellers.

In summary, I really like their approach and believe they will be a contender in the online shopping space.

By: Rick Calligaris

New Car Shopping Guide

November 29th, 2009



Before you start shopping for a new car, determine your budget. Once you have decided how much money you are willing to spend, you are ready to start looking at automobiles. Don’t go to the dealership just yet. Consider the features you most want in your new vehicle. Look at cars on the internet and read some new car magazines. Keep a list of a few cars that interest you most.

Before you Visit the Dealership:

Obtain a copy of your credit report. Knowing your credit score will help you when it’s time to get the loan. Your credit score will affect the type of loan you can get and the interest payments you will pay. If your credit isn’t great, don’t worry. Unless you have had a recent bankruptcy, you are likely to get a loan. You just may end up paying a higher interest rate.

If your credit is decent, consider securing financing before you start shopping. Banks, credit unions and other loan sources all offer this service. Applying for your loan in advance gives you buying power and decreases the chance that they will play games with your payment. In addition, the best rates are not always available through the dealership. Having your financing before you visit the dealer helps you avoid some of the haggling.

Know the value of your trade in vehicle. Kelly Blue Book is available online and can give you a good idea about the range you can expect to get on your trade. On the website, you will be asked questions about the mileage and condition of the vehicle to help determine the value. Always trade your car when it is in decent running condition. That way you won’t feel like you must rush to buy a car. Rushing to buy because your car is about to die can result in you getting a bad deal on your new vehicle.

There are a few times during the year that are better for car shopping than others. Consider shopping during the Christmas holidays. Few people buy a vehicle at this time of the year. As a result, the dealerships are nearly empty. Since some dealers are trying to break their end of the year sales records, you may get a good deal. Another good time is the late summer or early fall. Dealers are making room for the next year’s model and often are motivated to get rid of this year’s left over models.

If you have your heart set on a particular model, color or features, call the dealership before you visit. Be sure the dealer has the model you want. Sometimes a dealer will offer to get the one you want from another dealer. Don’t do this. You may end up paying additional costs for towing. In some cases, when the vehicle arrives, it may not be exactly what you want. To avoid these issues, deal directly with the dealer that has the car on the lot.

Tips for Dealing with the Dealer:

Visiting a dealership and negotiating with the salesman is a situation that most people find unpleasant and stressful. Being prepared will help you get the most for your money and be satisfied with your experience.

Start by paying attention to your appearance. Shower and dress casually, but in nice clothing. You will be treated better than the person who shows up in torn jeans and an old T shirt. Bring a loan calculator with you and print outs of prices from the internet and ads from other dealerships. If they know you have been doing your research, they are more likely to treat you with respect.

Know what the dealer is paying for the car. You can find information on dealer’s cost, rebates and incentives by visiting new car buying websites online. Take some time to research the vehicle you are interested in purchasing. The more you know, the better prepared you will be to negotiate. Even some so called “no haggle” dealerships will negotiate with you. If not, leave and visit another dealer.

Don’t buy based only on the monthly payments. You may end up paying more. Concentrate on the cost of the vehicle rather than the monthly payment. Check the price to be sure all rebates are included. Some dealers will offer a discount but will fail to mention that rebates are included in the cost. This is not really a deal.

You will sometimes be given a choice between a rebate and a lower interest rate. The better choice depends on the price and term of the loan. This is where your loan calculator will come into play. Do the math and compare the monthly payments with each option to determine which is best for you.

With a little research and preparation, you can find the vehicle you want at a price you can live with. Once you have purchased your car, be sure to keep up regular maintenance, both on the mechanical components and the exterior finish. Many people overlook the headlights when caring for their vehicles. Look into a product called New Lite Headlight Cleaner and Restorer. Cloudy headlights look bad and are a safety risk, as you won’t be as easily seen by other drivers. New Lite will return the cloudy headlights to like new condition. Learn more about this product and order at www.mdwholesale.com

By: David Maillie