Comparison Shopping

If your goal is to spend money wisely, taking the time to do some comparison shopping is a must. Not only are the potential savings important, but also knowing you found the best item in which to invest adds to your peace of mind.

The first rule of comparison shopping is that no matter how hard you try, nothing will ever be apples-to-apples.

If you’re shopping for a new laptop, for example, you may be able to outline all the system specifications you want, but certain models come with different features, manufacturer warranties, and customer support. Your decision becomes less about price and more about what you’re getting for the price. Thus, there’s not an equal measure between all products.

So, whether you’re in the market for tires or school clothes, Internet service or storm windows, groceries or power tools, engagement rings or a new car, first:

• Make a list of necessary haves or wants
• Outline the possible negotiable factors
• Conduct enough initial research to realize what your price break will be

Identifying the variables upfront will help make comparison shopping easier.

• If you live in a metropolitan area, chain stores in certain neighborhoods may have a markup on items as much as 20 percent compared to another neighborhood.
• You can often order some products through a merchant’s online site cheaper than buying in-store.
• Likewise, you can shop in-store for a particular item, and in many situations, buy it through other retailers online for less.
• Certain items may have the exact type of ingredients, perform the same way, and deliver identical results--but have a different brand name.
• While it may not be advertised, many retailers not only honor competitors’ coupons, but also the lower price offered by the competitor.
• Sometimes paying in cash negates all comparisons by closing the deal.

Whether you shop in-store, online, or use both to your advantage, there are a few tools that are helpful to the comparison process.

It’s always best to shop when you’re focused, but big-ticket items such as electronics, appliances, home repairs, and vehicles deserve your undivided attention. Unless your refrigerator died while full of food or your car’s engine exploded, few purchases require an immediate, run-out-straight-from-work-and-buy-something approach. Spend a few Saturdays wandering through appliance shops or car lots, calling home-repair services, or testing TVs at a big-box store.

Be upfront and state you’re gathering quotes and comparing models. Don’t let the salesperson rush you. Take the handouts and arrange call-back appointments. Only with enough information can you make the best decision.

If you have your eye on a new jacket by a popular maker at a nearby store, or are shopping around for a certain digital camera, check online before purchasing. Additionally, online and brick-and-mortar retailers have many unadvertised specials. Price-comparison sites can sometimes narrow the scope on a particular item by aggregating, or collecting, all known prices from every retailer carrying that product.

Try sites such as:

• BizRate
• Pricegrabber
• Froogle
• My Simon

Each site has its strong points, but all operate best when you’re specific with your search. Note that these sites will also pull up items offered on eBay.

Manufacturers and merchants don’t spend millions of dollars on advertising for nothing. They want you to come and buy--badly. However, don’t be lured by advertising. Learn from it. Use a merchant’s positioning in your comparison shopping to gain a better understanding of sales cycles, typical discounts, and, most importantly, brand names most often advertised.

Many retailers receive co-op advertising dollars from manufacturers to help promote certain products. This doesn’t mean it’s not the right product for you. Just be shrewd enough to discern whether it's the deal you want, not the inventory the merchant wants to move.

It’s possible to have so many choices that you can’t make a decision. This saturation point usually means the variables between items or stores are so negligible; the exercise no longer makes any difference.

Trust that you’ve justly considered as many options as possible, and finalize the process. Comparison shopping may involve saving money, and that’s important. But, it probably doesn’t involve your health, or relationships with people that matter. Agonizing over getting the best deal just can’t compare to the value of those things.

• Book Titles for the Cheap and Frugal
• Cheap Creative Christmas Gifts
• Low Budget Recipes
• How To Save Money At The Grocery Store
• Am I Saving Enough Money

• Great Clips Coupon
• Coupon for Olive Garden Restaurant
• Printable Online Coupons
• Free Coupons for Olive Garden
• Golden Corral Coupons

• Money Management
• America's Cheapest Family
• Grocery Shopping
• Discount Shopping Tips
• How to Prepare a Grocery Shopping Budget