Save Gas -Online Comparison Shopping Tricks and Delights

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Ranked #14,222 in Shopping, #175,790 overall

Power Shopping, Bargain Hunting and Deal Grabbing at its Finest

Dedicated to you, the pressed-for-time shopper - you, the stuck-at-home shopper - you, the busier-than-humanly-possible shopper. You know what you want - you know what you need - you just don't have time to surf endlessly.

My mission is to help you power shop and bargain hunt right along with the experts. With a few guidelines in hand, you'll find your online shopping experiences getting better, faster, and definitely more rewarding!

Why Me!? 

Why Listen to Me, Anyway..?
I'm cheap. Well.. I'm thrifty. It has always irked me to have to settle for payng full price or not getting the best bargain simply because I couldn't possibly afford the gas to drive all over the place and find the best deals.

When the Internet Revolution started, I tossed my car keys in a corner and decided to do the majority of my shopping online. Naturally it took awhile to learn how to do this without losing my shirt in shipping fees and hidden costs. I've learned from them. Here's your chance to learn as well.

As more and more well-known stores started to bring their brick-and-mortar operations online, I decided to shop them as well. By paying attention to sales and special offers, doing the research, and watching for the right signs and sales, I've been able to acquire what I wish for the house and myself without driving into the throes of civilization, spending gas money, finding parking spaces, spending time and energy I don't have.

A few weeks ago, I got a lovely Frigidaire dual gas oven to replace the one that, I swear, they built the house around. I'd priced it at full retail around $850. I spent a bit over $645, including shipping. How's that for savings?

I enjoyed it so much that I decided to start my own power shopping center, which you can find at our regular store, at http://www.fernsgeneralstore.com and come visit some of our blogs!

Let's Talk Comparison Shopping 

Preparing to Shop, and Why It's So Important

When you're looking for the best price on the items you need, there are several ways to go about comparison shopping. You can use a service like BizRate, or Shop.com, or Shopping.com, or visit one of many stores that offer comparison prices across a list of the merchants they offer. You can also use a search engine like Google or Yahoo or Ask.com and hunt across vendors for the best price, if you have unlimited time.

However, it isn't enough to look strictly at the price that the merchant is offering. You also need to look at:
    Shipping Costs
  • Does this merchant offer free shipping or reduced cost shipping?

  • Does this merchant offer reduced price shipping on every order or only once your order amount exceeds a certain dollar value?

  • Is this reduced or free shipping limited to certain product lines?

  • Is free shipping or reduced shipping costs a permanent offer or for a limited time period?

  • Does their free shipping or reduced cost shipping offer include your location?

  • Are there any hidden costs that may be escalating the order price in order to cover this lower shipping cost?


    Return Policy
  • Does this merchant have a return policy stated clearly and understandably?

  • How long of a time period do you have during which you can return merchandise?

  • Does the merchant charge restocking fees for returned merchandise?

  • Does the merchant include any messy fine print in the return policy? Some merchants will not accept some products once the seal has been broken. Make sure that you are aware of any restrictions that may cover items you're looking to purchase.


    Privacy Policy
  • Does the merchant's website include a clearly written Privacy Statement that is easy to find on their website? Avoid shopping with merchants that do not clearly state their privacy policy.


    Contact Information
  • Does the merchant offer clear and complete contact information incuding toll-free numbers, fax numbers, online customer and technical support?

  • Does the merchant offer SECURE shopping checkout (look for https:// at the start of the checkout page's address).

  • Do you recognize the merchant? Strong and reputable merchants like Sears, Wal-mart, Boscovs often give web-only pricing in addition to their known offline presences.

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Twin Beds, Bedding 

3 pc Natural Down White Twin Down Set

A good quality down comforter will provide warmth, serve as a natural insulator keeping in your body heat, be allergy free, and last but not least, make for a cozy, inviting bed. To ensure its long life, a down comforter should be used with a duvet cover. Not only will this protect the down from dirt and impurities, it will allow you to introduce change, color and style into your bedroom. There are three key elements to look for when choosing a down comforter. (read more...)

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Full Beds, Bedding 

200 Egyptian Blue Full Sheet Sets

Rest in comfort with this soft and elegant sheet set.Made of high quality, 100-percent Egyptian cotton. The fitted sheets have a fully elasticized edge and deep, 16-inch pockets, which fit any mattress up to 20 inches thick. 200 Thread Count , 100% Egyptian Cotton CambricSet Includes: 1 Flat Sheet,1Fitted Sheet 2 Pillowcases( 1 pillowcase w/ Twin ) Color: Blue Size: Full Flat 81x96 Full Fitted 54x76x16 Machine Washable Imported

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Queen Beds, Bedding 

Things you didn't know you couldn't live without until you see 'em

King among the kings of power shopping centers, Amazon has its finger on the pulse of what the public needs and wants.

Azura Pablo Espresso Queen Size Platform Bed and Headboard 4177-4176-60

Distinguished design and functional storage make this Pablo espresso bedroom furniture collection by Azura contemporary and stylish. Each piece of this European bedroom set is decorated with a dark espresso finish, and silvertone drawer pulls and legs made of solid metal.

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King Beds, Bedding 

LifeStyled 5" PillowTop White Queen Feather Bed

Rest in luxurious comfort with this inviting pillow top featherbed. The base gives you the firmness and gentle support of blended down and feathers, while the separate, sewn-on pillowtop offers the inviting loft and softness of pure white goose down. Note that the fill consists of 95-percent white goose feathers and 5-percent white goose down, while the pillowtop is 100-percent white goose down. 233 Thread Count, 100% Cotton CambricBaffeled Box5 inch gusseted walls, 2 Piped Seams95% White Duck Feathers, 5% White Duck DownColor:WhiteSize: King 78x80Fill Weight: 17 lb/19 ozHypoAllergenic,Dry Clean, Imported

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Chests, Dressers 

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Home Decor Fashion Statements 

What's being said now in the blog community:

What's hot. What's not. What's new. What's EWW. Who's IN. Who's .. out... News you can't live without.
Do try this at home
Interior redesign
Americana reigns in home decor, along with renewed patriotism
How to avoid fads in your home decor

Room by Room: Bath Decor and Accessories 

Create the luxuriant bath experience in your personal style!

Dress it up in marble and chrome excellence, or dress it down with muted wood tones, any bathroom has the potential to be a calming luxurious escape. From a lavender scented steaming shower to an aromatherapy graced tub surrounded by tiny candles, let your imagination be your guide.

Two Heads Are Better Than One Dual Shower Head

Looking for a maintenance free Duel head shower head which offers adjustable setting from a tropical fine mist to a power massage. Look no further. Our 2 Heads Are better Than One Dual Head Shower Head offers all of these things at a Great Price. . Dual head shower head by Deodorant Stones Of America is the best double-massage shower head available.. Twin 9-jet self-cleaning turbo massage shower heads. . Adjustable settings and installs easily by hand. . Standard 1.7 to 2.2 GPM at 20 to 80 PSI. C.S.A. Certified. . Meets and exceeds ANSI Specifications. Certified by the California Energy Commission. . Non-corrosive high impact ABS thermoplastic body.

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Furnishing Your Homestead 

What's being said now in the blog community:

Home decorating is not something that happens frequently for most of us. Tap into the latest and most up to date news on home furnishings, furniture, home decorating and related topics.
Hottest new home decor books
Home decor sports tattoo-inspired designs
City home takes on look of mountain lodge
Finalists in 15 categories chosen for annual Pinnacle Design Awards

Room by Room: Kitchen 

George Foreman GRP4P Next Grilleration 4-Burger Grill with Removable Plates, Platinum

This is the newest innovation from the makers of the George Foreman Lean Mean Fat Reducing grilling machine. It delivers the same great tasting, healthier food, grilled in minutes but now ...

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Amazon Price: $59.99 (as of 07/13/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $69.99
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So Much Shopping - So Little Time! 

Fern's
Womens, mens, kids and infant clothing and accessories, home decor and furniture, kitchen and small appliances, gift baskets, gourmet foods, wedding items and accessories, and a whole lot more.
Bargain Hunter Shopping
Timely information about sales, special offers, free shipping finds, rebates, handy solutions to holiday gift shopping, and some things that are fun to read.
campaholics
Camping stuff for camping fans, newbies, neophytes, self-proclaimed experts and even gurus.
Totally Cats
Things that The Cat wants, as relayed by the humans they own. Cat food, furniture, care, feeding, tales, histories, different lives.
Ogre Stuff (Electronics)
6.09.2007
Hi, Yuz Miss Mez? Want GPS T'ing? dis what ogre t'ink > electronics, GPS mez ogre. nise ore. wif neat toys. nise sharing ogre.mez like know where mez be.mez gots dis t'ing on arm now. SEE? [waves arm]mez not lost no more![Translation: although the ogre isn't the bright (and read more at the site)
Fern's Forum - Index
A place to advertise your online business for free, read about other ventures, trade stories, post information, socialize.
The Kooky Cook
The Kooky Cook
Kitchen ideas, hints, tricks, traps, kitchen gear, all things cooking.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
A Few Thoughts About Ice Cubes Tastes like... ice cubes, kitchen advice.. I've never been a fan of icemakers. (read more...)

Stop a Moment and Say HI! 

Lensmaster

Hey Great lens!
I really like this lens. Thanks for providing the comparison of shopping and more over giving that sites. I have bookmarked your lens. Thanks for your interest.
Please check out my site
http://only4deals.com/

ReplyPosted September 30, 2008

SusanVillasLewis wrote...

People are amazed that I bought my tub online. But even with shipping, it was $1000 cheaper than buying local. Yep - $1000!! Can't beat that!

ReplyPosted April 08, 2008

Encourager wrote...

I am a very careful shopper. Info is useful. Have a look at my lens on working from home. I have featured My Power Mall. Lots of bargains to be had. 5*

ReplyPosted September 06, 2007

LisaJesse wrote...

very nice lens! Great info! Please visit my new lens 2008 jewelry trends. Thanks! How much do you love me?
Your friend, ~LISA~

ReplyPosted September 05, 2007

International-Investor wrote...

Hi Fellow Member of "You Rate My Lense, I'll Rate Yours.". Great Lense. 5 star. Emerging Market ETF's and Stocks. Make Money Globally.

ReplyPosted July 13, 2007

usafreebies wrote...

Hey... Stumbled upon your lens when I was doing researching... Nice lens you have! :) Cheers!

Totally FREE Stuff

ReplyPosted July 03, 2007

flowergardener wrote...

Great information, I really like the personal touch you included in the intro.

ReplyPosted June 28, 2007

brookehudson wrote...

This is a great find! Valuable resources on Bargain Hunting! 5 stars.

ReplyPosted June 26, 2007

Janusz wrote...

Great Lens! just visited from Ratings Soup

ReplyPosted June 24, 2007

Waterwalker_Publishing wrote...

Welcome to Waterwalker Publishing's Squidoo Friends group :-)

ReplyPosted June 23, 2007

Caseyfern wrote...

ReplyPosted June 11, 2007

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by Caseyfern

M K (Casey) van Bronkhorst



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Since I am determined never to pay more than I absolutely have to for anything I buy, I love to do research and find the best... (more)
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