| More parents are forsaking the crowds and | | | | important when purchasing clothes online, but |
| going online to find that special gift. Along | | | | most reputable online merchants maintain a |
| the way, they are saving time and money and, | | | | "satisfaction guaranteed" return policy. Some |
| sometimes, finding an original or unique | | | | merchants charge a restocking fee, and most |
| gift. While online holiday shopping takes | | | | will expect you to pay return postage unless |
| different skills, they are easy to master. | | | | the product is defective. And of course, |
| | | | "brick and mortar" stores like Toys "R" Us |
| Here are some tips to help you shop online | | | | let you exchange gifts in person. Note that |
| like a pro: | | | | some gifts must be returned unopened, such as |
| | | | DVDs, CDs and computer software. |
| • Use a shopping engine to comparison | | | | |
| shop. Web sites such as and are especially | | | | • Use a secure payment system. To know |
| useful if you have a specific category in | | | | if a seller is offering a safe checkout |
| mind. Simply select a category, then a | | | | process, look for logos from companies such |
| subcategory, and you're on your way. | | | | as PayPal or VeriSign. Buyers should look for |
| | | | PayPal Buyer Protection on eBay, a free |
| Once you decide on a possible gift, the | | | | program that offers increased security by |
| shopping engine will show which online stores | | | | covering up to $2,000 for nondelivery of |
| offer it and at what price. Some shopping | | | | items, or products that are delivered not as |
| engines also offer merchant and merchandise | | | | described. PayPal never shares personal |
| reviews. | | | | financial information with merchants. |
| | | | |
| • Searching for a Nintendo Wii or the | | | | • Shop off-season. Next year, consider |
| latest Harry Potter book? If you've been | | | | shopping for toys in August, when stores host |
| looking at your local toy store these past | | | | big sales to make room for holiday |
| months, you may have come up empty. Yet | | | | merchandise. January and February are also |
| chances are there are several of these hot | | | | big sale months, after the holiday shopping |
| items online. You may need to pay a little | | | | season ends. |
| extra, but for many online stores, even the | | | | |
| most in-demand gifts are never sold out. | | | | • If your kids like to play dress-up, |
| | | | the day after Halloween is the best day to |
| • Don't forget eBay. eBay is a treasure | | | | find discounts on costumes. Major chains and |
| trove of toys and collectibles, some heavily | | | | drugstores that only sell costumes once a |
| discounted, from the most popular to the | | | | year for Halloween slash prices to move |
| extremely rare. | | | | inventory. |
| | | | |
| Saving Money And | | | | • Use your computer to stay within your |
| | | | budget. Nearly one-third of adults spend $100 |
| Shopping Safely | | | | to $500 over budget during the holidays. With |
| | | | online shopping, your computer can help you |
| Shopping online is a great way to stretch | | | | track funds. For example, with PayPal, you |
| your dollar during the holiday season. Some | | | | can set gift budgets, monitor holiday |
| of the best deals are available online. | | | | spending, and transfer funds from your bank |
| | | | account, eliminating any postholiday credit |
| • Look for special "online only" | | | | card debt. You can also track your budget |
| offers. For example, the Toys "R" Us Web site | | | | with a financial program such as Quicken, or |
| has a "Toys Clearance" section where you can | | | | just with a simple spreadsheet. |
| often save a third, a half or even more off | | | | |
| the retail price. Of course, the items change | | | | All of these tips are not only worth knowing, |
| regularly, but typically span the | | | | but also worth teaching to your children. |
| spectrum-from Play-Doh to Darth Vader masks. | | | | Sooner or later, they will make online |
| | | | purchases of their own-so they might as well |
| • Always check the return policy before | | | | be smart about it. |
| making a purchase. This is especially | | | | |