Shopping Tips Online

The WOW Factor Finder, a totally new interactive online shopping tool from Best Buy will launch on Wednesday, November 30th at AskABlueShirt.com. The easy-to-use tool will allow you to submit the hobbies and activities of your friend or family member, along with their consumer electronics collection and preferencees. You will then receive a list of gifts that match your recipient’s interests. The list also comes with the professional advice of Best Buy’s team of Blue Shirt Advisors.

Shopping for electronics can be confusing. This new tool should reduce your risks, and help you get those WOWs on Christmas morning!

Best Buy, Blue Shirt Advisors, Wow Factor Finder, Gift Giving Tool

Plasma or LCD? Three megapixels or ten? iPod or Zune? Shopping for electronics can be a tricky proposition, particularly if it’s a gift for a friend or family member. To help you get the “wow,” Best Buy gives you several ways find answers to your electronics shopping questions – in the store, over the phone or even online.

Best Buy Blue Shirt Advisors will host a live chat online at askablueshirt.com on Cyber Monday starting at 1pm EST. Just log on and fire away. They will have a second chat on December 15th at 1 pm EST.

Finally. A company that understands that we’re busy, and gives us a lot of ways to find what we need. Wow.

Best Buy, Electronics, Gifts, Blue Shirt Advisors, Live Chat

Go to Wal-Mart’s web site today, enter your zip code and view their online circular to see what special deals you will get in stores on Friday.

The National Retail Federation says that 137 MILLION people will go shopping this Friday. But, with all the hype about the supposed busiest shopping day of the year, MasterCard released a report on Monday that said most shoppers will put off their Christmas shopping until the last minute. Last year, Black Friday was only the sixth busiest shopping day.

Regardless, I have no plans to deal with Black Friday craziness. Instead, I will be sleeping off the effects of a big turkey dinner. You?

Wal-Mart, Black Friday

World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H.) has released their list of the ten worst toys on the market. The organization exists to educate the public about the risks inherent in certain toys, and has worked to encourage positive changes in the design of products to improve safety.

Here’s their list, including the product shown, a bow and arrow set which, “includes rubber-tipped “arrows” made of solid wood. The tips, however, are removable, and the rigid, wooden shafts can be propelled with sufficient velocity to potentially cause severe injuries. Weaponry should not be sold as toys for children.”

Parents, please take the time to check out their list!

Worst Toys of 2006, W.A.T.C.H., World Against Toys Causing Harm

The Miami Herald has summarized the in-store and online return policies for Wal-Mart, Target, Sears, J.C. Penney, Best Buy, Circuit City, Toys “R” Us, Bed Bath & Beyond, Costco, The Sports Authority, and Barnes & Noble.

As for MY return policies, here’s how I deal with gifts I give: (more…)

Best Buy shopping trips are an assault on my senses. I realize I am not the target demo, because Bob can wander the aisles in there for hours and not be phased, whereas I want to scream and run after 10 minutes time. Well, apparetnly I am not the only woman who feels that way.

The Star Tribune reports that Best Buy will revamp their stores “with a woman’s touch.” In some 60 test stores, Best Buy has made atmospheric improvements such as wider aisles, softer music and even play areas for the kids. They have retrained their staff to communicate with women, too.

The big question in my mind is… WHY? If women are not primarily electronics buyers, why risk alienating your main demographic.

Opinions?

Best Buy, Electronics

The National Retail Federation has published results of a recent study about what will influence us to buy this holiday season.

A whopping 41% of shoppers surveyed said they were most influenced by word of mouth – even when it was the word of a complete stranger who offered product reviews and opinions online. In the survey, 33% said their holiday electronics purchases would be influenced by online reviews. When it comes to clothing, word of mouth is a big factor, too. Over 30% said word of mouth was an influencer.

Online retailers that allow for a consumer review are putting these kinds of statistics to good use. On Zappos, the (best) online shoe store, I have actually altered my purchase based on online reviews. Amazon.com has used consumer reviews and lists for a long time, and has developed a whole community based on that. Many other retailers understand the strength of word of mouth and have incorporated it into their business model. Those that have not, should.

But what about blogs? (more…)

I have always been suspicious of the “extended warranty” offered in the checkout lanes of some of my favorite retailers. I have always said no – it just seemed a little too scammy to me. Turns out my instincts were right.

Today, Consumer Reports is launching a full-on campaign to warn electronics buyers that extended warranties are NOT worth the money. Most retailers push the extended warranty, and for some of the big-ticket items, we may be tempted to shell out the extra money to reduce our risk. BUT, here’s what Consumer Reports says:

• Products seldom break within the extended-warranty window (typically around three years), our data show.
• When electronics and appliances do break, the repair often costs about the same as the cost of the warranty.

They DO recommend the warranty for certain items, so be sure to check out their site if you are in the market for electronics.

Electronics, Extended Warranty, Consumer Reports

The New York Times reports today that Uniqlo, known as “The Gap of Japan” has opened a 36,000 square foot store in SoHo. Here’s the company’s website. Check out the looks – basic, in an oh-so trendy way. With no big designer names to hang their tweed hunting hat on, there is speculation about the appeal Uniqlo will have in the U.S. (more…)

Now you have another payment option next time you buy a gallon jar of mayonnaise and a plasma TV. MasterCard Worldwide announced yesterday that they have formed a partnership with the warehouse club stores to offer consumers another option for payment. The company’s online store, as well as their gas stations, have always taken Visa® and MasterCard®, but in-store purchases were limited to cash, checks, their own in-house cards or Discover®.

“Our Members have told us that they like having credit options for their purchases at Sam’s Club and as we continue to focus on how we enhance their experience, the addition of MasterCard is a natural extension of our commitment to meet their needs,�? said Mark Goodman, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Membership and E-Commerce, Sam’s Club.

Why MasterCard and not Visa? (more…)

GET THIS.

Mattel® announced today that their Barbie business is teaming up with MAC cosmetics to retail a line of makeup targeted toward adults. Now seriously. I’m not making this up. Here’s the official Mattel announcement. I checked MAC’s site, but didn’t find anything on the partnership.

I guess Barbie is a style icon, so much so that they have also introduced a line of designer, high-end clothing called “Barbie Luxe.” I am searching for any photos I can find on this line, but have turned up nothing so far. If you have seen these grownup Barbie clothes, give me a link! I had absolutely no idea there would be a market for anything Barbie targeted toward adults.

All this is apparently because the Bratz™ are kicking Barbie’s butt!

Barbie, Mattel, M*A*C, MAC, Barbie cosmetics, Barbie clothing, Bratz, designer clothing, shopping

Check out this article on CNN Money about some pre-holiday deals at Wal-Mart. The mega-giant hasn’t been performing very well lately, so the word is that they are trying to boost sales before the holiday by rolling out some deep discounts as early as this coming Sunday. The $398 Compaq Presario laptop would be a great deal, but the article says that they are limited to 15 per store, and 1 per customer. So, good luck!

Holiday Shopping, Christmas Shoppipng, Bargains, Wal-Mart, Deals, Compaq, Presario, Laptop, CNN

Don’t think, just go! La Redoute has a free gift with any purchase – but you’d better hurry, because the promotion ends Friday, 10/20. I snagged some two-for-one long sleeve tees (two tees for $7.99!) and an appliqued sweater (clearance priced at $12.99). The freebie is a sweet little suede crescent bag. It’s a must have!

Shopping, Fashion, Bargains, Free, Gift