I've converted: Shopping online tops the mall
by Denise Moyle, Outpost Staff
This package also includes:
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Afraid you'll not be able to find what you want or you'll pick the wrong item if you can't see it in 3-D? You like to hold it in your hand to know it actually exists before shelling out your hard-earned cash? Fearful that some 13-year-old hacker will steal your credit card number and upgrade his computer system with it? Or are you convinced that the Web is the secret tool of aliens far, far away who are systematically tracking us and brainwashing us into submission with their invention that they traded with the government for Velcro?
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The FTC's guideline to online shopping. The Better Business Bureau page, containing several articles on online shopping. State Attorney Generals Office |
We say it every year. This year I am going to have all my Christmas shopping done by Nov. 15. And every year we all rush to the mall the week before Christmas to pick up that one obnoxious present that we always forget. I'm actually pretty good and usually have all mine done by mid October. Heck, this year I was done in August (I thought). But there I was last week, on my last leg, being dragged through the mall by my slacker friend who was just looking for the first item on her list.
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Let me just say, Christmas is my FAVORITE holiday. I love to decorate and wrap presents and drink eggnog and stand under the mistletoe . . . well you get my point. But for some reason, the minute I step off of my porch on my way to the mall my mind is instantly replaced with that of Ebineizer Scrooge. It just sucks all the life out of my holiday spirit!
So for those of you who feel like I do about the mall, I conducted this little experiment. I WENT to the mall. (See what I found) I was not happy about it, but I did. I made a list of things that each person in my family would like. (Do not worry. They are mostly gifts that they got before or stuff they might like, not my actual list.) I went to two stores per person, found the gift and noted its price. Then I came home, logged onto my computer and shopped for the same items on the Web.
These are my oh-so-scientific findings:
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StoreB/Cost |
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Mom |
Barbara Striesand CD Crighton's Book |
Barnes &
Nobel $13.99 $18.86 |
Sam Goody $15.99 Walden $20.21 |
CDNow Amazon $13.48 |
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Dad |
Wallet |
Macy's $30.00 |
Sears $22.00 |
Macy's $30.00 |
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Sister 1 |
Red Cotton Sweater |
Eddie Bauer $48.00 |
The Limited $49.00 |
Prodigy Shopping $23.00 |
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Sister 2 |
Ski Gloves |
Copeland Sports $39.99 |
Gart Sports $34.99 |
N/A |
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Brother |
Electronic Fly Fishing Game |
Sharper Image $29.95 |
Brookstone $30.00 |
Amazon $29.99 |
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Niece |
Rock and Roll Elmo |
Toys R' Us $24.99 |
World of Toys Sold Out |
As the table shows, I found everything but one item on my list online, and in all but one case I found the items at the same price or cheaper on the 'Net. True, most sites include extra charges for shipping and handling. But this year, merchants are practically giving away the cyberstore to get customers to make that first online purchase. Toysrus.com, for example was offering a $10 coupon for purchases greater than $25 AND free shipping. And Amazon.com flooded e-mailboxes with $10 coupons for any toy. Slight delays in shipping resulted in MORE e-coupons sent to waiting customers.
By and far my experience on the Internet was a great deal more pleasing to me than fighting the hordes at the mall. But you should try it yourself. Log on and be adventurous. But make sure the site you order from is a secure site. It should tell you before you send you credit card number. This will help keep you from funding the illegal operations of the aforementioned 13 year old.
But most of all, log on and have a good time, or stay positive at the mall. Christmas is about being happy and giving to those you love. Spread cheer wherever you go. Remember that the spirit of giving is why we are doing what we are doing. If you can't buy presents for your loved ones without feeling love, try logging onto Martha Stewart.com and make them something instead! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Posted Dec. 13, 1999
Copyright 1999 Nevada Outpost
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