| The holiday season will soon be here. You don't | | | | sell out and sometimes some stores may not |
| even need a calendar to know this - you can | | | | even carry what is advertised in a flyer. |
| simply tell by the number of ads in your Sunday | | | | Weigh the costs of traveling all over the city to |
| newspaper. | | | | save a few dollars to buying the same item, for a |
| Yes, everyone and their brother are pushing their | | | | little more, at your local merchant. Your time and |
| products in hopes that they will get your business | | | | gas are worth something so consider it when |
| by having you shop at their place. | | | | doing a lot of shopping. |
| So with all these stores advertising so much stuff, | | | | More and more stores are offering price |
| how do you know where or how to get the best | | | | matching., i.e., they will match the price of an |
| deal in the most efficient amount of time. This is | | | | identical item advertised at a competitor and give |
| a long way of saying you could go store to store | | | | it to you at the lower price. While this sounds |
| to store comparing prices and items and after a | | | | good, it sometimes is, but again you need to |
| few hours of comparison shopping you finally | | | | know the fine print and policies of this policy. |
| decide on something, when you realize that you | | | | If you are computer savy, check out the online |
| only saved a few dollars after spending a whole | | | | stores. There are a bunch of sites who compare |
| day shopping. Not a very good way to spend | | | | prices between stores (although they might be |
| your precious time during a holiday season. | | | | online stores) Then again, sometimes the |
| Here are a few things to keep in mind when you | | | | merchant's web site will have their actual store |
| start your holiday shopping. | | | | prices of an item. Also as web site technology |
| As stated above, it is good to shop around, but | | | | continues to improve, merchants may also have |
| there is a limit on how much of this you want to | | | | the actual number of products they have in stock |
| do. A little preparation beforehand goes a long | | | | listed on their web site. Lastly, at some |
| way. | | | | merchants, you can order online and have it |
| If you are looking for a specific item, make sure | | | | delivered to your local merchant to which you can |
| to take along the model number, manufacturer | | | | go and pick it up. |
| and other details about the item you want. This is | | | | Things you need to be aware when shopping |
| one way stores get you. They say they will | | | | online like this are the shipping costs. Sometimes |
| match their competition on any product, but, it | | | | you have to pay them and sometimes not. It all |
| has to be the exact same model or item, and, as | | | | depends - but you need to check it out. |
| you probably can guess, this very seldom | | | | Don't be swayed by "super" deals. Sometimes the |
| happens when multiple stores carry the same | | | | merchant will offer "two for one", or "buy one |
| identical make and model of a particular item. It | | | | get something free". Make sure you really need it. |
| happens, but more often than not, it doesn't. | | | | Don't buy it just because it is free. |
| Before you leave home, check the ads again. | | | | If you follow these few things, your holiday |
| Make sure the store actually has what you want. | | | | shopping will be much more pleasant and you'll end |
| If you know exactly what you want, call ahead | | | | up with the best deals possible. |
| and see if they have it in stock. Sometimes they | | | | |