Online stores are slashing prices as a new front in the price war breaks out
Filed under: Shopping, Black Friday
Living in an economy that is going through the shredder has some benefits for consumers looking for price breaks. Ever since people realized they couldn't afford to drive much, the lack of demand has helped bring on low gas prices, for one thing. We have a built-in, believable excuse to use when a telemarketer calls ("I'd like to pay for your service, but I'm broke") if we're not the sort to just hang up on them. And since nobody is spending money and retailers really, really want your business, there are some incredible shopping deals to be had.And nowhere is that more apparent lately than on the Web, according to a recent New York Times story. It's an insightful article with a lot of examples of the deals going on, and so for anyone who wants a quick cheat sheet on, I thought I'd provide you some of the deals the article mentions:
Scenes from Holiday Shopping
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 17: Peter Ripka and New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning attend Judith Ripka's Holiday Shopping Night hosted by Eli Manning at Judith Ripka on November 17, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Thos Robinson/Getty Images for Judith Ripka)
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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 17: David Ripka poses with New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning at Judith Ripka's Holiday Shopping Night hosted by Eli Manning at Judith Ripka on November 17, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Thos Robinson/Getty Images for Judith Ripka)
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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 17: (L-R) Brian Ripka, New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning, and David Ripka attend Judith Ripka's Holiday Shopping Night hosted by Eli Manning at Judith Ripka on November 17, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Thos Robinson/Getty Images for Judith Ripka)
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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 17: (L-R) Brian Ripka and his brother David Ripka speak with New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning at Judith Ripka's Holiday Shopping Night hosted by Eli Manning at Judith Ripka on November 17, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Thos Robinson/Getty Images for Judith Ripka)
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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: A worker touches up the recently unveiled Lord and Taylor Christmas windows November 14, 2008 in New York City. The Commerce Department reported today that retail sales fell by a record 2.8 percent last month in another worrisome sign for the economy ahead of the holiday shopping season. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: People view the recently unveiled Lord and Taylor Christmas windows November 14, 2008 in New York City. The Commerce Department reported today that retail sales fell by a record 2.8 percent last month in another worrisome sign for the economy ahead of the holiday shopping season. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: People shop inside Macy's next to holiday decorations November 14, 2008 in New York City. The Commerce Department reported today that retail sales fell by a record 2.8 percent last month in another worrisome sign for the economy ahead of the holiday shopping season. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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This combo picture shows Japan's toy giant Bandai employee Hajime Kondo sticks his finger into the box from a small hole "Tuttuki bako", which has a LCD display showing his virtual finger and another object to interact with at the company's headquarters in Tokyo on November 14, 2008. Bandai, which introduced the toy in Japan on November 15 for the Christmas shopping season, aims to sell 100,000 units of tuttuki bako by the end of March. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Japan's toy giant Bandai employee Hajime Kondo sticks his finger into the box from a small hole "Tuttuki bako", which has a LCD display showing his virtual finger and another object to interact with such as a human face animation, a panda clutching a ball or a karate-practicing stickman at the company's headquarters in Tokyo on November 14, 2008. Bandai, which introduced the toy in Japan on November 15 for the Christmas shopping season, aims to sell 100,000 units of tuttuki bako by the end of March. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Japan's toy giant Bandai employee Hajime Kondo sticks his finger into the box from a small hole "Tuttuki bako", which has a LCD display showing his virtual finger and another object to interact with such as a human face animation, a panda clutching a ball or a karate-practicing stickman at the company's headquarters in Tokyo on November 14, 2008. Bandai, which introduced the toy in Japan on November 15 for the Christmas shopping season, aims to sell 100,000 units of tuttuki bako by the end of March. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Want a digital video recorder?
Dell.com is selling Sony's HDR-S11 high-definition digital video recorder, released in April with a suggested retail price of $1,200, for $899. Abe's of Maine, an electronics store, has it on its web site for $750. Free shipping with both deals.
Need a purse?
Lori's Designer Shoes (the store's tag line? "the sole of Chicago") is selling a brown leather Hype tote bag (retail price: $338) for $246, though they have a 20% discount coupon, so you can nab it for $196.80.
Looking for shoes?
Like Zappos.com? They're well known for some great deals, but if you want even better deals, check out 6pm.com, a clearance site owned by Zappos. Any shoes that they don't sell within six months can be found here.
Searching for a bit of everything?
Plasticland, an online boutique that sells clothes, home decor and jewelry, has moved prices to their clearance page a month earlier than usual, according to the Times. A necklace with a red apple pendant that was $65 is now $32.50, and a $54 serving platter is $37.80.
And then here are a few deals I dug up on my own.
BenefitCosmetics has a 25% discount on a lot of their products, and they say "two free samples with every order," though I'm not sure what that means (look, I'm a guy; I don't buy makeup, like ever), and they're also doing free shipping, as many online stores are, but only until November 25, if you make a purchase over $25.
PerfumeGifts.com is sellng Sandalwood Cologne for $24.65 (instead of the $40 retail price).
There's a Swatch Pit Line Unisex Watch going for $59.90, 52% off the $125 sale price at JomaShop.com.
Anyway, if you're looking for deals to be found on online stores, they can be found--and you don't have to wait until Black Friday. They're out there right now.
Geoff Williams is a freelance journalist and the author of C.C. Pyle's Amazing Foot Race: The True Story of the 1928 Coast-to-Coast Run Across America (Rodale).
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-21-2008 @ 8:58AM
Judy said...
I usually do most of my Christmas shopping on the internet. Just recently I bought a dicontinued collectible item that normally runs $105 in the store for $80 (including shipping). A movie set that was on sale at Wal-Mart for $95, I found for $59. All it takes is the ability to do an internet search and a little time. I usually do this in the evenings while watching TV with my hubby. The deals are out there!
Reply
11-21-2008 @ 9:18AM
Jon said...
Judy,
Here is a link to a story on Three Top Coupon Websites
http://www.curiousread.com/2008/08/three-top-coupon-websites.html
Happy Holidays!
11-21-2008 @ 10:51AM
ira said...
The truth is that most of us have all the crap we need. Few of us actually really need more of anything. It's not need, it's want. Food, gas, toilet paper, imagine living a year just buying those items. CASH! Piles of cold hard cash is the best way to weather the current economic situation. I discovered one of the best books you'll ever find about finance, "How to Become Filthy Rich on Your Current Income" at www.how-to-become-rich.com. If people read books like this one we would not have the current situation we do.
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11-21-2008 @ 3:29PM
John said...
i have the best deals on products at my webstore.From fine cigars to designer linens. check it out at:
http://www.blackplanet.com/Black-market1/
Reply
11-23-2008 @ 2:46AM
Catmoves said...
Well, goody. AOL keeps giving me the line "(Note: Please disable your pop-up blocker)" under the big space (blank on my monitor) where the pictures are supposed to go.
It's strange, but the only pop up blocker I have functioning is the one that detects spyware inherent in the pop up itself.
You don't suppose AOL is following you around, do you?
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11-22-2008 @ 7:33AM
missfrilly said...
People do not need half the things they have.stay out of the malls,shop the little stores who are hurting.You know they have some good deals.shop ebay, online.You do get some good deals. Tell everyone you cannot afford gifts this year.They probably cannot either. Just swap names and buy for only one family.Do without that stop at the convenience store.they are rather overpriced.SAVE CASH. Dont use credit cards.
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11-22-2008 @ 8:53AM
hannah said...
I would rather shop online than deal with holiday lines and holday tempers. I find the every day deals at Target to be awesome.
I love TARGET. Great for fashion and funky home stuff that looks
like it cost a lot more, as well as staples.
I shop online to save money on gas, use less gas and save money
period. I shop at all my favorite stores through an online website that gives me the unpublished codes at about 300 stores (including Target, The Gap, Best Buy, Old Navy,
Drugstore.com, etc) as well as giving me between 5 and 50% back in cash on my purchases. The site is http://www.fatcrumbs.com I am being good to the environment and great to my wallet. And not dealing with holiday crowds.
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11-22-2008 @ 8:56AM
Linda said...
TickleMe Plant - It Moves
A great green low cost gift that will make everyone smile is to grow a TickleMe Plant and watch it MOVE when Tickled! The leaves quickly fold and even the branches droop when tickled. I found this to be a great stress reliever in my office and what a conversation piece!. You may have seen the TickleMe Plant in the botanical gardens or on the premier of CSI NY. Now it can be grown indoors year round.
No green thumb needed. I found it on line at http://www.ticklemeplant.com
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11-22-2008 @ 9:58AM
Connie said...
We have outlet malls in South Florida and people think that because they say "outlet" they are cheaper. Wrong. They are more expensive. I shop on ebay and get the most terrific buys. I find everything I want and they ship it for you. I don't stand in line at the post office anymore. One click ships it for you. I do my shopping in the comfort of my own home, when I want. I avoid crowds, possible theft, gas prices and growing weary when I can't find what I want or it is too expensive. Last Christmas was a joy. I bought and sent everything online.
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11-22-2008 @ 10:07AM
ron said...
I have my own ebay store. I sell books, handbags, wallets, jewelry. We get customers from all over the world. It is great. My store is open 24/7 to 130 million customers. Can't get any better than that. My store is called: dancingron
Reply
11-22-2008 @ 3:23PM
annie said...
Think of others, especially during the holiday season...
Our family is giving a "share-a-stay" at the local Ronald McDonald House. One week for each one of my siblings' families and my parents....This equals one month of free boarding for a parent who needs the House for lodging...$15 a day provides the lodging, etc for a family in need...This is the best bargain of the holiday season that I have found....Teach your children to think of others...it will make all of you feel good...
As long as we have our health, there really isn't anything else...
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11-22-2008 @ 3:16PM
bill said...
i just read all yopur comments and none of you know where to shop for the best deals. and i'm not telling either hahahahahaha.
Reply
11-22-2008 @ 4:04PM
Lori said...
I like to shop online stores with buy it now or best offer, like bonanazle.com and many other sites.I find many great BARGAINS that are new and free shipping.
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11-22-2008 @ 5:45PM
weetz said...
There are so many deals out there right now. There are pre-holiday sales, coupon codes and other great deals to help you save on holiday shopping and shipping. You don't have to brave the malls, black friday, or wait. You can start your shopping now and still save big. I've done almost all my holiday shopping and I didn't pay full price at all. There are tons of sites out there to help you - cityskoop, gottadeal, restaurants.com...
Reply
11-22-2008 @ 8:07PM
Joe Henderson said...
A year or so back, the foreign-owned Targets did away with such groups as Salvation Arrmy raising funds for needy and homeless people. I have never spent a penny at Target since, nor do I intend to. When they open up their own rescue missions for the needy, homeless, and hungry, I might but doubt that will ever happen.
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11-24-2008 @ 4:23PM
michaelman9 said...
They were sued because basically other charities wanted equal face time in front of Target. Target was told that they either had to let any charity ask for money outside of their store or none. They did not want to turn their curb into a mob of people asking for money, so they decided not to invite the Salvation Army back. However, they made a sizable donation from their own charity organization to help with their holiday giving budget.
Target gives millions of dollars a year to local and national charities as well as working with charities such as the Tiger Woods Foundation. My wife has received grants for field trips for her public school class from Target more than once.
Try learning more than just whatever ignorant rumor you heard before you pass them along.
11-22-2008 @ 7:45PM
Joe Henderson said...
A year or so back, the foreign-owned Targets did away with such groups as Salvation Arrmy raising funds for needy and homeless people. I have never spent a penny at Target since, nor do I intend to. When they open up their own rescue missions for the needy, homeless, and hungry, I might but doubt that will ever happen.
Reply