Specifics do help. If I type in a title I'm looking for at work, I'll get millions of hits. Just the ISBN, I'll only get 20.

That guy looks really stoned... And smelly.

i would like to see a popular list of shopping sites that accept pay pal so i don't have to use my credit card.

*list of popular sites, sorry.

I find reviews at Amazon pretty helpful. Because Amazon sells pretty much anything under the sun (even a tank! [www.amazon.com]) I know that when I look something up, there will be a few reviews from people who actually know what they're talking about, along with reviews from people who have absolutely no clue. I was browsing for a digital camera the other day, and one of the most amusing (though useless) reviews was from a person who complained that the 'internal store wasn't big enough to hold more than a few photos.' I just started laughing uncontrollably at the prospect that someone would rely on internal memory to hold anything.

Oh, and for gadgets, a number of sites do real (non-consumer) reviews, giving them a tad more credibility. PC Mag and CNET are two I can think of right now.

Shopping online is a two step process.
1) Find out what you want. That usually consists of typing " review" into google. Browse the results and find out what is the best for your purpose. Possibly browsing related forums.
2) Find the best price. Froogle works well, but I'll usually hit up amazon and other superstores to see what they have. Once you've found your store, google " coupon" and see if anything pops up.

Just googling item catagories to buy is unproductive.

Of course if you're not particular about the exact item you're buying, fat wallet, anandtech hot deals, etc are good to browse looking for whatever is on special right now.

@MissJ: I like the 'also-viewed' items on the tank page: Uranium Ore and a Whole Rabbit. Can't beat the anti-monkey butt powder. Who are these people who but this stuff?

Surprisingly, the best thing I do for online shopping is visit a brick-and-moartar store. It always pays to inspect something before you buy it. Then it's just a matter of finding the lowest cost out there. I don't usually worry about shipping, because it's never more than sales tax. Shipping is not a too big a deal to me..

@Xerloq: That is exactly what I did when I wanted a new camera. I went to a B&M store and looked at it. On screen it was fine, but in person it looked a little cheap. The big problem that day was that faced without an online review to tell me to stay away, I bought a different camera only to find out when I got home the various reasons why it sucked majorly. I researched a few more cameras, took that one back, and ended up going to a different B&M store to examine a camera. Liked it, bought it, Amazon didn't get my business but the consumer reviews were very helpful.

@Xerloq: I know, tacky to reply to one's own post, but shouldn't it be called 'Anti Monkey-Butt Powder?' Seriously, you move the hyphen and it's an entirely different product.
Maybe The Consumerist should look into this, to see if the powder, applied to one's butt, does indeed repel monkeys. If not, wee need executive phone number and EECB material for all those angry people who were bitten on the butt by monkeys.

@MissJ: The key to this strategy (IMHO), and one that the article didn't mention: Use amazon.com to narrow down your search, then use search engines like Google to find the lowest price (at places including, but not limited to, amazon.com). For instance, amazon.com has tools and would love to help you narrow down your "digital camera" to a specific brand, spec, etc. Once you have that, go nuts with the search engine on that specific product / model / spec. If you end up back at Amazon; great. If not, oh well.

@Xerloq: This is a very important suggestion. I too wondered whether the powder would keep monkeys off my butt or not. Then I wondered whether butt-attacking monkeys are a common problem for people who own tanks. I smell a feature. Ben!

I usually hit MySimon or Froogle first.

Once I figure out where I'm going to buy from, I hit RetailMeNot to look for a promo coupon.

@Chris Walters:

I figured it was my consumerist duty to research this further, so I clicked on the Anti-Monkey Butt Powder link -- turns out "monkey butt" is the chafing and irritation you get from sitting on your sweaty butt all day. No actual monkeys are involved. Kthxsbai.

I was going to post this over in the SNL skit on SNL Skit: Don't Buy Stuff You Can't Afford

Mental Accounting and Small Windfalls: Evidence from an Online Grocer [hbswk.hbs.edu]

From Harvard B school - Working Knowledge for Leaders

- When given a discount, folks spend just a little bit more than they would have with no discount, but the savings and extra tend to go towards things they dont need.

I think finding a reputable site is also key. Finding what you want to buy and then finding the absolute best price will do you little good if the merchant doesn't ship the item in time, or worse, doesn't ship the item at all.

<plug type="shameless">I'm sure many system builders know about Newegg, for example.</plug>

Before I buy from web based businnes i have never done buisiness with, I imagine that I have already purchased the product and there is a problem. I go looking for "Contact us" info on the website. I need a phone number for any purchase over $100.00.

I never buy anything from a site that will not let me see my shipping charges before entering my CC info.

I will not buy from a site that has outrageous shipping and handeling charges. Even if the total combined cost still shows a savings over others stores. Crazy shipping and handeling fees are an indication of a shifty operation to me.