The BBB has given us a heads up about a new scam that targets holiday shoppers — pop-up internet electronics stores that only accept payments via wire transfer.
shopping
Morning Deals
By 12.9.08
Highlights From Buxr
- NewEgg: Kodak EasyShare C813 Silver 8.2MP LCD 3X Optical Zoom + FREE 2GB SD card & case kit for $71.99 after coupon code:CAMERA1210P w/ Free shipping
- Shop4Tech: 1GB Silver MP3 + video player by Matrix for $9.95 after coupon code:HH15 w/ Free shipping
- Amazon: Nikon Coolpix S610 10MP Digital Camera,4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom for $165.93 w/ Free shipping
Highlights From Dealhack
- Amazon: Save Up to 40% off Leatherman Multitools
- 1-800 Contacts: Save up to $80 + Extra $5 off Contact Lenses with Coupon
- TiVo.com: Recertified High Def TiVo HD DVR $180 Shipped + Discounted Service
Highlights From Dealnews
- Sony Style: Sony VAIO CS Core 2 Duo 2GHz 14″ Widescreen Laptop for $750 + free shipping
- Amazon.com: Nerf N-Strike Bundle for Wii for $50 + free shipping
- Amazon.com: Bushnell 10×28 Explorer Waterproof Binoculars for $28 + free shipping
Free Shipping Day Is December 18th
By 12.8.08
Check out the 18 and counting online retailers at freeshippingday.com for stores that will give you free shipping and guarantee delivery by Christmas if you shop there on Thursday, December 18th. The retailers include Amazon, Zappos, Dell, Target, Macy’s and other big names, with perhaps more joining before the 18th. Nothing like getting rewarded for waiting until the last minute.
Being Forced To Buy Wii Bundles Makes You Very Angry
By 12.8.08
You know what makes you angry? Wii bundles. Here’s the situation. You go to the store to buy a Wii. You ask if they have any in stock. They do. You decide to buy the Wii — only to find out that they won’t sell you the Wii without forcing you to buy a bunch of other stuff. You become very angry. You write to us.
The Return of Layaway
By 12.8.08
Layaway is back this year. What’s that? It’s where you buy an item at a store, but don’t pay for it completely right away. The store puts the purchase item aside for you. You then make regular payments and once they add up to the full price tag, you get your item. Imagine that, saving up and only buying something once you can afford to pay for it in cash. Layaway plans used to be more popular but were overtaken by the ease and instant gratification of credit cards. Unlike credit cards, you don’t pay any interest, although sometimes there is a base fee. Now that credit lines are being cut and thrift is the new black, layaway is making a comeback. Kmart is featuring it in their Christmas ads, and Oprah talked about it on her show recently.
Morning Deals
By 12.5.08
Neighborhoods Propose Printing Their Own Currency To Encourage Local Shopping
By 12.4.08
Two neighborhoods in Milwaukee are considering printing their own currency, which could be bought with U.S. dollars, but would be only accepted at local businesses, in order to encourage people to shop at home instead of Walmart.
Try Consumer Reports' Website For Free And Increase Your Shopping Abilities
By 12.4.08
Consumer Reports has set up some cute mall kiosks in the Boston Area so that shoppers can research products while they are shopping, but if you can’t get to Boston you can still give the website a try.
PrettySinful Pledges To Stop Calling Children's Clothes "Sexy"
By 12.4.08
Yesterday we told you about PrettySinful, a clothing maker on Amazon that was marketing its tween girl tights as being “sexy.” Tipster Jasmine also sent a complaint to PrettySinful. A customer service rep responded and pledged that they’ll be removing the word “sexy” from all their children’s clothes descriptions.
Morning Deals
By 12.4.08
Highlights From Buxr
- Footaction: 30% OFF Friends & Family Event (print+online w/ coupon code: EMFF8CAP)
- BestBuy: Samsung L210 10.2-Megapixel Digital Camera (Black) + Free 2GB Memory Card for $112.49 w/ Free shipping
- PetSmart: Save $10 off your order of $60+ online w/ coupon code: DECPERKS
Highlights From Dealhack
- Shoes.com: Save 20% off Men’s Shoes Orders Store-Wide with Coupon
- Buy.com: Seagate FreeAgent 1.5TB USB 2.0 Drive $160 Shipped
- B&H Photo: Panasonic TH-42PZ80U 42-inch HDTV $895 Shipped
Highlights From Dealnews
No Tween Girl Clothes Are "Sexy"
By 12.3.08
I don’t think it’s ever appropriate to market clothes to tween girls using the term “sexy.” Manufacturer “PrettySinful” has a different opinion, as seen in these “sexy” tights sold on Amazon, accompanied by a picture of a prepubescent girl. Perhaps the picture is in error because the rest of the clothier’s offerings are along the lines of crotchless bodystockings and various “do-me” adult party costumes. In any event, it’s gross and should be fixed.
Morning Deals
By 12.3.08
- Woot: Lyon by Washburn Electric Guitar with 5 Watt Amp and Instructional DVD for $89.99
- LineDrive.com: Under Armour up to 50% off at with free shipping
- Amazon: 18 Pack of Horizon 8oz Milk for $14.30
Highlights From Buxr
- Dell Home: Sony PS3 80GB for $322.99 w/ coupon code: CTV2$2HX963145 & TP5NV0VMFJ9BCZ w/ Free shipping
- Lowe’s: Black & Decker 109-Piece Drilling & Screwdriving Set for $9.97 + Shipping
- Hewlett Packard: HP Pavilion dv5t Notebook, Pentium Dual-Core 2.0GHz, 15.4″, 4GB, 320GB Wi-Fi + Printer for $549.99 after coupon code: SV2132 w/ Free shipping
Highlights From Dealhack
- Buy.com: Aerobed Twin Bed in a Minute II Inflatable $40 Shipped
- HobbyTron: Buy 2 Intelli Heli Mini Helicopters Get One Free
- Amazon: Save Extra $10 off Omron Scales & Health Monitors
Highlights From Dealnews
- Buy.com: Uniden FRS / GMRS 2-Way Radio 2-Pack for $29 + free shipping
- Amazon.com: Romancing the Stone with Jewel of the Nile on Blu-ray for $30 + free shipping
Ben Popken On NBC Nightly News This Thursday
By 12.2.08
Watch NBC Nightly News on Thursday, 12/04/08, for a snippet of yours truly, Ben Popken, laying down some tough talk on the good ‘ol Grocery Shrink Ray, THE STORY THAT NEVER DIES!!! MUAHAHA!
"Holistic Margin Management": What General Mills Calls Grocery Shrink Ray
By 12.2.08
Guess what they call the Grocery Shrink Ray at General Mills? “Holistic Margin Management.” I thinks that’s also what they call it in 1984. Another interesting fact from a StarTribune article looking at shrinking packages: customers are more likely to notice a change in the height rather than the width of a box. But does anyone really care?
Morning Deals
By 12.2.08
- Woot: Philips Plug and Play USB Webcam with Microphone – 2 Pack for $12.99
- Lowe’s: Dog Kennel for $15
- FinishLine: Crocs Toddler Endeavor Sandal Shoe for $4.98
Highlights From Buxr
- Amazon: OCZ OCZ2G8004GK DDR2 800MHz 4 GB Gold Edition Kit for $4.99 after two $20 rebates w/ Free shipping
- Victoria’s Secret: 20% OFF your Entire Order w/ coupon code: GET20
- Ralph Lauren: 30% off any purchase + Free Shipping w/ coupon code: GIFT2008
Highlights From Dealhack
- Best Buy: Polaroid POGO Mobile Photo Printer now $80
- Amazon: SanDisk Sansa Fuze 8GB MP3 Player $70 Shipped
- Borders.com: Save 40% off All DVD Box Sets
Highlights From Dealnews
Black Friday Sugar Rush Won't Last For Retailers
By 12.1.08
While Black Friday revenues were up from last year, retailers are just getting a quick high. The crash starts tomorrow.
Free Shipping Today At Thinkgeek
By 12.1.08
Free shipping at Think Geek with coupon code CYBERMONDAY. Gawd, is “Cyber Monday” an obnoxious/perverted-sounding name or what? [ThinkGeek] (Thanks to Geoffrey!)
