Black Belt Shopper
(featured column)

Online Shopping: Cyber Mondays

by Larry Wiener 

So, as you read this, the Christmas shopping season is coming to a close and, for most of us, the end won't be soon enough.  We've gone to early bird sales and paid more than we wanted to for some items.  Hopefully we've not added to our credit card balances-better budgeters try not to do that.  More...

As I was listening to the shopping experts and prognosticators, I learned of a new term in the shopping lexicon--Cyber Monday.  That got me thinking about more ways we can save on shopping.
 
We all know about Black Friday--the day after Thanksgiving, so named because that's why many retailers' balance sheets go into the black because of the large number of shoppers (including me) who get up early and hit the mall.
 
Buyers aren't the only shoppers who are in the mall on Black Friday, however.  There is another group with their notebooks (or perhaps PDA's now) writing down products and prices to check online. Many black belt cyber-shoppers then check prices online and see if they can get the items cheaper that way.   Many of then buy on Monday when they return to work where they have a computer with a high-speed connection (actually, now more people have high-speed connections at home, so maybe it should be named Cyber Friday Night or Cyber Saturday).
 
When I first heard this term, I was in the Glendale Galleria, a large mall here in Southern California.  I had my list of items to check online as I was listening to shopping experts being interviewed in the Central Courtyard for our local NPR station.
 
So how do black belt shoppers take advantage of the cyber-Monday phenomenon both at Christmas and at other times?  Here are some tips:
 
* Always have paper and pencil when you are at the mall. Generally speaking, the mall stores are the most expensive places to buy, unless they are having a sale.  If you like an item that isn't on sale, make notes so that you can see if the item is available cheaper elsewhere.  Take down as careful notes as possible (i.e. style number, ISBN number, title, author, etc.).

* Visit online stores to become familiar with prices before you venture out to the mall.

* Online is usually cheaper for books, movies, and music.  We all know about www.amazon.  Often even cheaper prices can be had at www.buy.com or www.overstock.com.  Don't forget to check out the private sellers' offerings (both new and used) on amazon, www.ebay.com and www.half.com.

* Know that mall displays are designed to make you buy.  If you're not sure you want that item featured at the mall, go home and think about it overnight.  If you do, then check out the online sources before you go back to the mall.

* Stay out of the mall if your budget is tight.  Malls are designed to entice you to buy more than you came in for anyway.  Better to go directly to online outfit, warehouse stores, or discount stores if that's what your budget calls for.

* Make sure the online price really is better than what you can get in person.  Malls and online are not your only options.  Don't forget closeout stores (stores like Big Lots for everyday items and TJ Maxx for department store type items), warehouse stores (Costco, BJ's, Sam's Club) and discounters (Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Target which have many of the same items as a department store).  And don't forget to check the classifieds for gently used items, especially on big ticket items.  If you go used, go for quality brands.

Online outlets certainly have added to the choices available to consumers today.  With the wealth of choices out there for shopping, knowledge and planning certainly are important.  Knowing your merchandise and prices really can make a difference in today's marketplace.
 
Hopefully you're just about done with your shopping and will be able to enjoy Christmas.  Then there are the after Christmas sales. Remember the adage about the sales:  Ask yourself if you would buy the item if it were not on sale and you could afford it.  Then only buy if you can answer a most resounding "Yes."
 
For more information on shopping in today's marketplace, click here to check out my e-book, The Black Belt Shopper's guide, available on this site.

Have a great Christmas!

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Copyright © 2005 by Larry Wiener, author of The Black Belt Shopper's Guide. All rights reserved.

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