Page 42 - Book5E

Using the Internet to Compare
Thanks to the internet, there are unlimited ways to review products and compare pricing across multiple stores for just about any item you might be looking for, especially electronics, toys, housewares, and other large consumer products. Some of these sites include:
• www.pricegrabber.com
• www.consumerreports.org • www.bizrate.com
• www.consumersearch.com
Additionally, many online magazine sites like www.pcworld.com and www.macworld.com also compare the top products and recom- mend places to purchase electronic items offering lists ordered by price or by customer reviews.
If the pressure from store salesmen make it hard for you to think and compare pricing and features while at the store, write down product information and then visit the manufacturer's website. Many sites offer online comparison checklists so that you can review product features and choose the best item for you. For instance, if you are planning on buying a new computer just to check your email, browse the web, or do household finances, don't buy the salesman's recommended $1,500 model. A simpler $500 model will meet your needs, and will be easier to replace if it is lost or damaged later.
If it's a club or service you are interested in buying in to, make sure to check out the consumer reviews for the company at the Better Business Bureau website, www.bbb.org, or Consumer Reports at www.consumerreports.org or simply type the business name in to a browser. Many of the public reports about businesses and services can offer you an alternate view of what any particular company is presenting. Remember, that buying and travel clubs lose interest in you once the deal is finalized.
34 Comparison Shopping