Your 5-minute guide to online bargains

Shop locally

Local merchants may have good prices, too, without shipping costs and with easy returns. But you can still come out ahead if you research online first.

• Check out ShopLocal.com to find deals at stores in your area or use an online coupon organizer such as The Coupon Mom or The Grocery Game, which organize coupons by state or local area. (See "Secrets of superstar grocery shoppers.")

• Use the Web to find garage sales in your area and plan your Saturday morning attack. Many newspapers post listings online, and other Web sites try to help sellers ramp up foot traffic by allowing them to post information about their events. (See "Garage sales thrive in online world.")

• Go to Shopping.com or a similar Web site for the lowest price, print it out, and take it with you to a store to bargain.

• Ask retailers whether they accept competitors' coupons. It can't hurt to ask. (See "Secret deals you have to ask for.")

• Don't buy when you need an item; buy when it's at its lowest price. That's where shopping on a regular basis comes in.

• Retailers often drop prices about three weeks after the coupons come out, so don't use your coupons too soon.

Shop safely

Buying online offers convenience, but it also adds risks. You're paying upfront without directly seeing or trying on merchandise, and you're potentially opening yourself up to identity theft. Here are some ways to reduce the risk:

• Go with brands and Web sites you know.

• Make sure you are dealing with a secure site. When you go to enter payment information, you should see "https://" at the top of your screen where the Web address is displayed. The "s" after "http" indicates the site is secure. You may also want to call the company to ask about its privacy policy.

• Don't send money to a site that doesn't have a physical address or a phone number for customer service. (Watch the video "Safe online shopping.")

• Pay with a credit card. If you have an unauthorized charge, your liability is limited to $50.

• Never provide personal or financial information to unsolicited requests. (See "Your 5-minute guide to protecting your identity.")

• Trust your instincts. If you don't feel comfortable or if you feel pressured, log off and rethink your plan.

Finally, remember that it's easy to get caught up finding good deals on stuff you don't really need. It's a bargain only if you can afford it and will use it.

Published July 11, 2008

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