Shoppers, Do Your Homework

SEATTLE - Attention holiday shoppers! If you're out to bag the bargains you've got to do your homework before you hit the stories. Just because the ad says it's a great price doesn't make it a great price.

The only way to know if you're getting a good deal is to comparison shop. An easy way to do that is to go online and use a shopping robot, such as PriceGrabber.com, Shopping.com, Shopzilla.com , NexTag.com or the Price Checker at ConsumerWorld.org.

"See what a variety of online sellers charge for that very same item," says Edgar Dworsky, founder of Consumer World. "That way you'll see if you're getting an OK deal or a great deal."

But getting a good deal on a lousy product is no bargain. There are plenty of publications that publish reviews. Dworsky recommends Consumer Reports, Steves-Digicams.com for cameras, Ecoustics.com for TV and hi-fi equipment, and PCMagazine for computers.

Sites such as Epinions and Amazon.com make it real easy to get customer ratings.

"Amazon.com has wonderful reviews," Dworsky says, "by real consumers who've bought that item before and tell exactly what they think."

For more information:

Top 10 Tips to Bag a Bargain on Black Friday
Start Your Browers!
Battle of the 'Bots'
Online Shopping Tips
Shop Online Safely