Bargain Hunting on the Web.Cyberspace Coined by William Gibson in his 1984 novel "Neuromancer," it is a futuristic computer network that people use by plugging their minds into it! The term now refers to the Internet or to the online or digital world in general. See Internet and virtual reality. Contrast with meatspace. can be a comparison shopper's dream--if you know where to look FROM ZIP DRIVES See Zip disk. (hardware, storage) Zip Drive - A disk drive from Iomega Corporation which takes removable 100 megabyte hard disks. Both internal and external drives are manufactured, making the drive suitable for backup, mass storage or for moving files between computers. TO FOUR-WHEEL DRIVES, deals abound on the World Wide Web. It's a hassle-free haven for bargain hunters Bargain Hunters was a game show on ABC in the summer of 1987, hosted by Peter Tomarken. Games Each episode featured six contestants, with two playing one of the following games — Bargain Quiz, Bargain Trap and Bargain Busters — at a time. and penny pinchers penny pincher n. Informal A very stingy person. Noun 1. penny pincher - someone who is excessively careful with money (who pinches every penny before letting go of it) . Millions of Americans are now regular online shoppers who expect the lowest prices possible for the best merchandise available. "You'll find a lot of competitive pricing," says Fran Foster, the Internet section manager of the Software Publishers Association in Washington, D.C. "Many companies no longer have the traditional costs related to maintaining physical storefronts and can consequently pass savings along to consumers." For Geri Handon, a 40-year-old artist and software prep tester in Seattle, shopping on the Web has become a habit. Two years ago, she joined the ranks of consumers lured to the Net by its convenience, cheaper prices and the ability to browse from the privacy of home. "It's easy, efficient and cost-effective, and I've never had to wait more than a week for any delivery," says Handon, one of the many cybershoppers who prowl the Net for computer equipment and software. Internet research This article is about using the Internet for research; for the field of research about the Internet, see Internet studies. Internet research is the practice of using the Internet, especially the World Wide Web, for research. firms have been scrambling to quantify this lucrative and growing market segment. Forrester Research Forrester Research is an independent technology and market research company that provides its clients with advice about technology's impact on business and consumers. Corporate facts
Cambridge, Massachusetts is a city in the Greater Boston area of Massachusetts, United States. , estimates that online consumers spend $4 million on computer products each day. The IT research firm says that 20% of online adults have made purchases over the Net in the last year. In 1997, Net purchases totaled $2.4 billion, and Forrester estimates that figure will reach $17.4 billion by 2001. Clearly, the online retail market is growing as consumers feel more comfortable with this new medium. Travel, entertainment, books, music and computer hardware and software are the hottest areas. TRAVEL Travel is the fastest-growing segment of online commerce. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Jupiter Communications in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , online travel revenues are expected to grow to $11.7 billion by 2002--making it the No. 1 consumer spending Consumer demand or consumption is also known as personal consumption expenditure. It is the largest part of aggregate demand or effective demand at the macroeconomic level. segment. For veteran surfers who book their travel online, low fares are taken for granted Adj. 1. taken for granted - evident without proof or argument; "an axiomatic truth"; "we hold these truths to be self-evident" axiomatic, self-evident obvious - easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind; "obvious errors" and paying the full market value for a ticket is virtually unheard of Not heard of; of which there are no tidings. Unknown to fame; obscure. - Glanvill. See also: Unheard Unheard . Priceline (www.priceline.com) is a new service that lets you submit the price you're willing to pay for a specific domestic route. It promises to find a flight within one hour. Travelocity (www.travelocity. com), Preview Travel (www.preview travel.com) and Microsoft's Expedia (www.expedia.com) allow you to compare and analyze flight information that, until a few years ago, was available only to travel agents. These sites also feature "faretracker," e-mail newsletters that let you sign up for bulletins listing the cheapest flights available for popular destinations. Expedia is the most comprehensive and aesthetically pleasing of all online travel sites. It offers the aforementioned perks perk 1 v. perked, perk·ing, perks v.intr. 1. To stick up or jut out: dogs' ears that perk. 2. To carry oneself in a lively and jaunty manner. and also includes maps, photographs and the best fare-tracking service available on the Net. Last year, when Geri Handon needed to fly from Seattle to Arkansas, she checked out Travelocity. She found a round-trip ticket Noun 1. round-trip ticket - a ticket to a place and back (usually over the same route) return ticket ticket - a commercial document showing that the holder is entitled to something (as to ride on public transportation or to enter a public entertainment) selling for nearly $100 off the "lowest price" she was quoted on the phone. The site also lets you mix and match destinations, dates and airlines. The major airlines are also on the Web, alerting travelers to last-minute specials and enabling them to book flights online. American Airlines' (www.amer icanair.com) NetSaaver Fares are e-mailed to thousands of subscribers every week, who find out about great prices on domestic and international flights that can only be booked online. Other airlines, including Continental (www.flyconti nental. com), Northwest (www.nwa.com), United (www.ual.com) and Southwest (www.iflyswa.com), offer similar services. ENTERTAINMENT: BOOKS AND MUSIC Amazon.com's (www.amazon.com) huge success in selling books at discount prices prompted bookstore behemoth behemoth (bē`hĭmŏth, bĭhē`–) [Heb.,=plural of beast], large, fanciful primeval monster, like Leviathan, evoking the hippopotamus mentioned in the Book of Job. Barnes & Noble (www.barnes and noble.com) to set up shop online. Besides offering discounts of 10%-30% on many books, both sites feature powerful search engines and many other perks for book lovers. For example, Amazon sells the popular Norton Anthology of Afro-American Literature for $34.96, 30% off the list price of $49.95. Music prices are also sweeter online. Die-hard Bob Marley fans who are excited about the latest tribute to him, Dreams of Freedom, but daunted daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin by the CD's list price of $16.97, can get it at CD Now (unanv.cdnow.com) for $14.42. CDNow, which bills itself as the largest music store in the world, and Music Boulevard (unow.musicblvd.com) offer discounts on much of their online inventory; ever-changing sales are posted on the sites. You can also listen to music dips, read artists' bios, search for musicians like your favorites, read the latest reviews, take part in chat sessions and pre-order upcoming CDs--they'll arrive on your doorstep the day they hit traditional music stores. COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE Even Web novices can find great deals in the huge online market for computer paraphernalia PARAPHERNALIA. The name given to all such things as a woman has a right to retain as her own property, after her husband's death; they consist generally of her clothing, jewels, and ornaments suitable to her condition, which she used personally during his life. . An internal zip drive, which runs, for $149.99 and up in most retail computer outlets, sells for under $100 at online computer superstores. You can also save several hundred dollars by buying a multimedia system online rather than in a retail store. Traditional retailers have been quick to get in on the action. Earlier this year, Egghead Discount Software (www. egghead.com) closed its retail outlets and shifted all sales to its virtual storefront. Dell Computers (www.dell.com) makes $5 million a day in Internet sales and, over the next few years, plans to make half its sales over the Internet. Handon's favorite site, MicroWarehouse (www.microwarehouse.com), offers great deals on everything from color printers to desktop publishing software The following is a list of major desktop publishing software. A wide range of related software tools exist in this field, including many plug-ins and tools related to the applications listed below. . You can also subscribe to Verb 1. subscribe to - receive or obtain regularly; "We take the Times every day" subscribe, take buy, purchase - obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction; "The family purchased a new car"; "The conglomerate acquired a new company"; a newsletter, Online Advantage, to find out about even more bargains. PC Connection (www.pc connection.com), Computer Discount Warehouse (www. cdw.com), Cyberian Outpost Cyberian Outpost was an online vendor of discount computer hardware and software, and was one of the first successful online retailers. CybOut was founded in 1994 by Darryl Peck and announced its IPO in 1998 (NASDAQ: COOL). (www.out post.com) and the Internet Shopping Network (www.isn.com) offer similar deals. Netbuyer (www.netbuyer.com) lets you search a database by manufacturer, software or hardware, or title, and then compiles a comparison list of equipment and sites where the merchandise can be purchased. AUTOMOBILES Are you in the market for a new set of wheels but hate negotiating with car dealers? In the back of your mind, there's probably a nagging feeling that you're getting the short end of the stick. A cure could be waiting for you online--where you can compare information on specific models and even locate an auto dealer that will match the price you're willing to pay. Microsoft's Car Point (carpoint.msn.com) has information on every new car on the current market. Autoweb Interactive (www.autoweb.com) and Auto-By-Tel (www.autobytel.com) also provide quotes on used car prices and will match you with a dealer. Auto-By-Tel even offers financing and insurance options. If you're uncomfortable about shopping for a car online but still want up-to-date, accurate dealer invoice information before you set foot on a car lot, then you should visit Autosite (www.autosite.com), which offers in-depth pricing and dealer invoice details. In 1997, 16% of car buyers researched their cars online before purchasing them, up from 10% in 1996, according to J.D. Power and Associates. By the year 2000, the research firm predicts that half of all car buyers will use the Web for pre-purchase research. ONE-STOP SHOPS One-Stop Shop A company or a location that offers a multitude of services to a client or a customer. The idea is to provide convenient and efficient service and also to create the opportunity for the company to sell more products to clients and customers. There are a number of one-stop virtual malls offering a wide range of products or links to other retailers on the Web. These sites have search engines that feature comparison-shopping forms and advertise daily bargains for visitors. If you register with these sites, personal shoppers will do most of the legwork leg·work n. Informal Work, such as collecting information or doing research in preparation for a project, that involves much walking or traveling about. for you--searching for bargains and alerting you when your favorite products are on sale and arrive on the market. Bottomdollar (www.bottomdollar.com) lets you search for the online retailer with the best prices. Virtual Emporium (www.virtualemporium.com) features sales and specials on everything from apparel to travel services. CompareNet (www.comparenet.com) offers a gift guide in addition to its search and compare product listings. ONLINE AUCTIONS Auctions are the riskiest of all online purchasing options, especially if you don't use a reputable bidding site. Online auctions operate much like traditional ones. You register with the site, search the categories of merchandise for items of interest and submit a bid. The auction takes place in real time, and your bid is automatically entered and posted, which makes it easy to track the history of bids. Auctions last anywhere from a few hours to a few days; the most popular items sold are computer parts and peripherals. To make sure you're really getting a bargain, find out the retail value of the item you're interested in before bidding for it. Stick to well-established vendors such as Onsale (www.onsale.com), Web Auction (www.webauction.com) and FirstAuction (www.firstauction.com). SECURITY While shopping online is second nature for people like Handon, others have fears about passing along their credit card numbers and other confidential information Noun 1. confidential information - an indication of potential opportunity; "he got a tip on the stock market"; "a good lead for a job" steer, tip, wind, hint, lead on the Internet. Although myths about online hackers and thieves continue to spread, it's actually much safer to shop online using a credit card than in the real world, according to Foster of the Software Publishers Association. "It's a matter of getting consumers to feel safe doing online shopping and making actual purchases," says Foster. "New safeguards to protect consumers are continually being introduced and discussed by the computer industry. It's probably safer to make business transactions on the Internet than it is to give credit card to a waiter at a restaurant or to call an 800 mail-order catalog and give your over the phone to a perfect stranger A Perfect Stranger is a Danielle Steele romance novel, published in 1981. ." For more information on how to protect yourself online, contact the Internet Information Center unit of the National Consumers League (www.fraud.org). If you're still not comfortable making purchases online, use the Internet to window-shop and arm yourself with accurate information before you leave the house to go shopping. Comparison shopping online can save you bundles, especially when it comes to items like computers and automobiles. |
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