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Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Holiday Shopping Tips: Part Two
Gift ideas (big and small)
With budgets being tight, and stores realizing that they need to fight over what little spending money shoppers have this year, you can expect to see some fantastic deals.
Black Friday is considered the start of the holiday shopping season—this year, it'll be shorter than usual, as Thanksgiving is a little later than usual.
That said, aside from some of the incredible early-bird specials you'll find on the 28th (if you're willing to get up at 4am to catch them!) you can expect to see these prices reflected in ongoing deals throughout the rest of the season.
We've left out the "early-bird" specials listed by each store, as those items might be limited to a handful per store, and unless you're there as soon as the doors open, there's little guarantee that you'll be able to pick them up. However, if you're interested in viewing the entire list of what they have coming out, visit GottaDeal.com's Black Friday Deals.
Budget Gifts for Car Enthusiasts (Under $20!)Black Friday offers a relatively small selection of non-electronic gifts for motorists this year. However, any of these would make for a good, inexpensive present. Outside of Black Friday deals, be sure to check the automotive sections in your favorite discount stores, as they are packed full of gift ideas at this time of year, above and beyond the deals below.
Inline Ignition Spark Checker (Harbor Freight)
$1.99
U.S. General Battery Cut-Off Switch (Harbor Freight)
$3.99
Stainless Steel Heated Travel Mug (Ace Hardware)
$4.99
WeatherHandler 36-Piece Glove Box Tool Kit (Kmart)
$8.49
WeatherHandler 44-Piece Triangle Emergency Kit (Kmart)
$9.87
Wet/Dry Auto Vacuum with 3' Hose (Ace Hardware)
$9.99
Armor All Holiday Gift Pack (Target)
$19.99
GPS SystemsThis year, GPS systems are cheaper than ever, and there are a huge number of deals available on Black Friday, for all budgets. Bear in mind that you do get what you pay for, and that the less expensive GPS systems respond more slowly and have fewer features. More expensive units are faster and offer more functionality. Either way, they all do the same basic thing—they get you from A to B. It's just a matter of style and function.
Some GPS featuresScreen size—Most GPS units describe the screen size in the product name—this is a diagonal measurement like a TV screen, and obviously the larger the screen, the easier it is to read. For most purposes, the screen size won't affect the clarity of the directions given on the screen while driving—but additional navigation details may benefit from a larger screen.
Text to Speech—Most GPS units will have a voice prompt telling you which way to turn, how far it is to the next exit, and so on. Many will also have audible tones that assist with that. Text to Speech will actually read the name of the road instead of a generic "turn right ahead." How useful this is depends upon your personal preference.
For a list of more GPS features, check out ConsumerReport.org's analysis of the most important.
GPS Units under $100As you can see below, the TomTom One 125 and the Magellan RoadMate 1200 are both on sale this year. Although the prices are similar across different stores, Macy's offers the RoadMate for nearly $5 less than Sears and Target.
TomTom One 125 GPS Navigation System
$99.99 at Circuit City, Kmart and Office Max
Magellan RoadMate 1200 3.5" GPS Navigation System
$95.00 at Macy's
Magellan RoadMate 1200 3.5" GPS Navigation System
$99.99 at Target and Sears
GPS Units under $150The model of interest here is the Garmin nuvi 205, and there's a $10 difference depending upon where you pick it up on the 28th. Best Buy has the least expensive units, but you can expect those to sell out quickly.
Garmin nuvi 205 3.5" GPS Navigation System
$119.99 at Best Buy
Garmin nuvi 205 3.5" GPS Navigation System
$124.99 at Sears
Garmin nuvi 205 3.5" GPS Navigation System
$129.99 at OfficeMax
Garmin nuvi 200W GPS Navigation System
$119.99 at Target
Garmin nuvi 260 3.5" GPS Navigation System
$149.99 at Circuit City
Mio Moov 300 4.3" GPS Navigation System
$129.99 at Radio Shack
Motorola 3.5" GPS with Text-to-Speech
$149.99 at Radio Shack
Beyond Black FridaySome of us may not be able to brave the lines on Friday morning, and though the deals mentioned above may well extend through December, there are certainly other options available for our holiday shopping.
Other Gifts for under $25Websites like Amazon.com offer the canny online shopper many options for inexpensive automotive gifts. They have an entire section dedicated to automotive items under $25. There are 100+ items for that amount or less, but the selection changes often, and you can also find used items.
You can save money on shipping by doing most of your gift shopping at once through sites such as Amazon.com, and if you're unable to travel much this year, you can even have items gift-wrapped and mailed directly to the recipient's home.
Alternative Gift IdeasThe New York Times Store has a great selection of NASCAR collectibles, and much more—you'll certainly find some great gift ideas here.
Budget Not a Problem?Another unique gift idea is to give someone a once-in-a-lifetime driving experience. From Extreme Stock Car Driving to a Drag Race Ride Along, excitations.com offers a huge variety of driving adventures.
With budgets being tight, and stores realizing that they need to fight over what little spending money shoppers have this year, you can expect to see some fantastic deals.
Black Friday is considered the start of the holiday shopping season—this year, it'll be shorter than usual, as Thanksgiving is a little later than usual.
That said, aside from some of the incredible early-bird specials you'll find on the 28th (if you're willing to get up at 4am to catch them!) you can expect to see these prices reflected in ongoing deals throughout the rest of the season.
We've left out the "early-bird" specials listed by each store, as those items might be limited to a handful per store, and unless you're there as soon as the doors open, there's little guarantee that you'll be able to pick them up. However, if you're interested in viewing the entire list of what they have coming out, visit GottaDeal.com's Black Friday Deals.
Budget Gifts for Car Enthusiasts (Under $20!)Black Friday offers a relatively small selection of non-electronic gifts for motorists this year. However, any of these would make for a good, inexpensive present. Outside of Black Friday deals, be sure to check the automotive sections in your favorite discount stores, as they are packed full of gift ideas at this time of year, above and beyond the deals below.
Inline Ignition Spark Checker (Harbor Freight)
$1.99
U.S. General Battery Cut-Off Switch (Harbor Freight)
$3.99
Stainless Steel Heated Travel Mug (Ace Hardware)
$4.99
WeatherHandler 36-Piece Glove Box Tool Kit (Kmart)
$8.49
WeatherHandler 44-Piece Triangle Emergency Kit (Kmart)
$9.87
Wet/Dry Auto Vacuum with 3' Hose (Ace Hardware)
$9.99
Armor All Holiday Gift Pack (Target)
$19.99
GPS SystemsThis year, GPS systems are cheaper than ever, and there are a huge number of deals available on Black Friday, for all budgets. Bear in mind that you do get what you pay for, and that the less expensive GPS systems respond more slowly and have fewer features. More expensive units are faster and offer more functionality. Either way, they all do the same basic thing—they get you from A to B. It's just a matter of style and function.
Some GPS featuresScreen size—Most GPS units describe the screen size in the product name—this is a diagonal measurement like a TV screen, and obviously the larger the screen, the easier it is to read. For most purposes, the screen size won't affect the clarity of the directions given on the screen while driving—but additional navigation details may benefit from a larger screen.
Text to Speech—Most GPS units will have a voice prompt telling you which way to turn, how far it is to the next exit, and so on. Many will also have audible tones that assist with that. Text to Speech will actually read the name of the road instead of a generic "turn right ahead." How useful this is depends upon your personal preference.
For a list of more GPS features, check out ConsumerReport.org's analysis of the most important.
GPS Units under $100As you can see below, the TomTom One 125 and the Magellan RoadMate 1200 are both on sale this year. Although the prices are similar across different stores, Macy's offers the RoadMate for nearly $5 less than Sears and Target.
TomTom One 125 GPS Navigation System
$99.99 at Circuit City, Kmart and Office Max
Magellan RoadMate 1200 3.5" GPS Navigation System
$95.00 at Macy's
Magellan RoadMate 1200 3.5" GPS Navigation System
$99.99 at Target and Sears
GPS Units under $150The model of interest here is the Garmin nuvi 205, and there's a $10 difference depending upon where you pick it up on the 28th. Best Buy has the least expensive units, but you can expect those to sell out quickly.
Garmin nuvi 205 3.5" GPS Navigation System
$119.99 at Best Buy
Garmin nuvi 205 3.5" GPS Navigation System
$124.99 at Sears
Garmin nuvi 205 3.5" GPS Navigation System
$129.99 at OfficeMax
Garmin nuvi 200W GPS Navigation System
$119.99 at Target
Garmin nuvi 260 3.5" GPS Navigation System
$149.99 at Circuit City
Mio Moov 300 4.3" GPS Navigation System
$129.99 at Radio Shack
Motorola 3.5" GPS with Text-to-Speech
$149.99 at Radio Shack
Beyond Black FridaySome of us may not be able to brave the lines on Friday morning, and though the deals mentioned above may well extend through December, there are certainly other options available for our holiday shopping.
Other Gifts for under $25Websites like Amazon.com offer the canny online shopper many options for inexpensive automotive gifts. They have an entire section dedicated to automotive items under $25. There are 100+ items for that amount or less, but the selection changes often, and you can also find used items.
You can save money on shipping by doing most of your gift shopping at once through sites such as Amazon.com, and if you're unable to travel much this year, you can even have items gift-wrapped and mailed directly to the recipient's home.
Alternative Gift IdeasThe New York Times Store has a great selection of NASCAR collectibles, and much more—you'll certainly find some great gift ideas here.
Budget Not a Problem?Another unique gift idea is to give someone a once-in-a-lifetime driving experience. From Extreme Stock Car Driving to a Drag Race Ride Along, excitations.com offers a huge variety of driving adventures.
Holiday Shopping Tips: Part One
Shopping in a Tough Economy
With the current credit crunch, and the increasing pressure on our wallets, the idea of shopping for gifts this holiday season might seem like a depressing prospect.
Nielsen's 2008 holiday retail forecast is predicting a 4.7% gain in dollar sales over 2007, which is lower than the rate of inflation (4.94% in September 2008)—a bad sign for retailers. This would be the first decline in consumer sales since 1991.
However, that's still $98 billion in sales and retailers are going to be doing everything they can to get their cut of your holiday spending money. But, smart consumers will use cash more than credit this year.
The Credit CrunchAccording to the eBillme Online Spending Index, credit is a problem and consumers are adjusting their spending.
34 percent of consumers are closer to their credit limit than a year ago.
45 percent have used their credit card less often over the last 90 days in favor of non-credit payment options.
55 percent say their available credit has decreased this holiday season.
48 percent of consumers are delaying purchases due to the economy.
Changes in Shopping HabitsNielsen's research suggests that shoppers will be concentrating on basic needs, and that value will be more important than variety and convenience. This also means that retailers are preparing for more "at home consumption" from shoppers—less eating out at restaurants or cinema trips, along with less shopping in general.
What Does This Mean for Me?Retailers will be more competitive, especially for non-luxury items, resulting in more discounts and better deals for the average consumer. Brands and stores are already competing for your spending, so watch for sales and special offers.
Alternatives to credit may be available, though stores are more likely to offer "special deals" if you sign up for their store cards, in an attempt to keep consumers within their store for their purchases. Watch deferred billing offers carefully, because you may incur high interest costs if you fail to meet the first payment due date.
If you do decide to brave the shops this holiday season (and we all will, of course) here are some shopping tips that may help you get the most from your dollar this year. Remember to drive safely when you're out shopping!
Online ShoppingThe Internet continues to be a popular way to not only "window shop" for gift ideas, but to actually purchase items too. With air travel still sometimes prohibitively expensive, online purchases may end up being a slightly better option than previous years. Look for free delivery offers to save even more.
According to a study by Harris Interactive, 85% of online shoppers are using the Internet to find good deals online, using price comparison websites (such as PriceGrabber.com or MySimon.com), online coupon sites (such as RetailMeNot.com) and online ads.
And, make sure to ask about for "website only" deals offered by local stores. You can always shop in-person and then buy online.
LayawayIncreasing numbers of consumers are using layaway programs this season as an alternative to purchasing on credit. Many stores that offer layaway ask for a small deposit or fee upfront and may limit what can be put on layaway, such as perishables and clearance items. It's a great way to shop early and stay within your budget, by planning and making your payments before the holidays.
Make sure to get a copy of the store's policy and read it carefully before you decide to use layaway, and keep a record of the payments you've made.
Gift CardsAn alternative to layaway is buying gift cards—not to give as presents themselves, but to use for your own holiday shopping. This allows you to "set aside" $25, $50 or even $100 at a time into gift cards that can be used like cash for your shopping later in the season.
Some grocery stores offer loyalty cards give you discounts to either gas or food shopping throughout the year. By purchasing gift cards from your grocery store, not only can you sensibly set aside your holiday shopping budget one card at a time, you may actually earn some of these additional "perks" for yourself.
Coupon ClippingIt's a great idea to check your local coupon magazine and newspapers for potential savings—you may discover an opportunity to save a lot of money by carefully collecting the right kind of coupons.
Discount StoresIn a tight economy, discount stores may offer the best deals for holiday shopping. There is a lot of competition between the large chains and that is good news for consumers. It'll pay to compare prices between stores, and check the clearance sections, too. You may find the items you want at a considerable savings if you spend some time comparison shopping.
Start Shopping for Next Season EarlyAll of the above tips are good no matter what time of year it is, and it's never too early to start finding bargains for next year's holiday season. Keep your eyes open throughout the year for great deals, and always have a checklist of potential gift ideas in the back of your mind. This will not only help you save money by spreading the expenses of your holiday shopping throughout the year, but could reduce the stress of rushing around for last minute gifts. Unfortunately, that's likely to remain the one unavoidable reality of holiday shopping!
The second article in this series includes a number of driving-related gift ideas to match all budgets.
With the current credit crunch, and the increasing pressure on our wallets, the idea of shopping for gifts this holiday season might seem like a depressing prospect.
Nielsen's 2008 holiday retail forecast is predicting a 4.7% gain in dollar sales over 2007, which is lower than the rate of inflation (4.94% in September 2008)—a bad sign for retailers. This would be the first decline in consumer sales since 1991.
However, that's still $98 billion in sales and retailers are going to be doing everything they can to get their cut of your holiday spending money. But, smart consumers will use cash more than credit this year.
The Credit CrunchAccording to the eBillme Online Spending Index, credit is a problem and consumers are adjusting their spending.
34 percent of consumers are closer to their credit limit than a year ago.
45 percent have used their credit card less often over the last 90 days in favor of non-credit payment options.
55 percent say their available credit has decreased this holiday season.
48 percent of consumers are delaying purchases due to the economy.
Changes in Shopping HabitsNielsen's research suggests that shoppers will be concentrating on basic needs, and that value will be more important than variety and convenience. This also means that retailers are preparing for more "at home consumption" from shoppers—less eating out at restaurants or cinema trips, along with less shopping in general.
What Does This Mean for Me?Retailers will be more competitive, especially for non-luxury items, resulting in more discounts and better deals for the average consumer. Brands and stores are already competing for your spending, so watch for sales and special offers.
Alternatives to credit may be available, though stores are more likely to offer "special deals" if you sign up for their store cards, in an attempt to keep consumers within their store for their purchases. Watch deferred billing offers carefully, because you may incur high interest costs if you fail to meet the first payment due date.
If you do decide to brave the shops this holiday season (and we all will, of course) here are some shopping tips that may help you get the most from your dollar this year. Remember to drive safely when you're out shopping!
Online ShoppingThe Internet continues to be a popular way to not only "window shop" for gift ideas, but to actually purchase items too. With air travel still sometimes prohibitively expensive, online purchases may end up being a slightly better option than previous years. Look for free delivery offers to save even more.
According to a study by Harris Interactive, 85% of online shoppers are using the Internet to find good deals online, using price comparison websites (such as PriceGrabber.com or MySimon.com), online coupon sites (such as RetailMeNot.com) and online ads.
And, make sure to ask about for "website only" deals offered by local stores. You can always shop in-person and then buy online.
LayawayIncreasing numbers of consumers are using layaway programs this season as an alternative to purchasing on credit. Many stores that offer layaway ask for a small deposit or fee upfront and may limit what can be put on layaway, such as perishables and clearance items. It's a great way to shop early and stay within your budget, by planning and making your payments before the holidays.
Make sure to get a copy of the store's policy and read it carefully before you decide to use layaway, and keep a record of the payments you've made.
Gift CardsAn alternative to layaway is buying gift cards—not to give as presents themselves, but to use for your own holiday shopping. This allows you to "set aside" $25, $50 or even $100 at a time into gift cards that can be used like cash for your shopping later in the season.
Some grocery stores offer loyalty cards give you discounts to either gas or food shopping throughout the year. By purchasing gift cards from your grocery store, not only can you sensibly set aside your holiday shopping budget one card at a time, you may actually earn some of these additional "perks" for yourself.
Coupon ClippingIt's a great idea to check your local coupon magazine and newspapers for potential savings—you may discover an opportunity to save a lot of money by carefully collecting the right kind of coupons.
Discount StoresIn a tight economy, discount stores may offer the best deals for holiday shopping. There is a lot of competition between the large chains and that is good news for consumers. It'll pay to compare prices between stores, and check the clearance sections, too. You may find the items you want at a considerable savings if you spend some time comparison shopping.
Start Shopping for Next Season EarlyAll of the above tips are good no matter what time of year it is, and it's never too early to start finding bargains for next year's holiday season. Keep your eyes open throughout the year for great deals, and always have a checklist of potential gift ideas in the back of your mind. This will not only help you save money by spreading the expenses of your holiday shopping throughout the year, but could reduce the stress of rushing around for last minute gifts. Unfortunately, that's likely to remain the one unavoidable reality of holiday shopping!
The second article in this series includes a number of driving-related gift ideas to match all budgets.
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