Where to get the best stuff cheap
Find great deals online any time of the year
By Jane Doucet
Martin Burns, a digital camera hobbyist in Halifax, saved $500 when he bought a digital camera earlier this year. After researching the price of a new model online, he discovered that it would cost about $980 plus tax, with no extras at a store. He ended up buying a discontinued year-old model on eBay — with a case, two memory sticks and an extra battery and charger — for $488 total.
“Part of the joy of searching for a deal on the Internet is that you can compare prices and quality right away,” says Burns. “Not only was I able to do that, but I also was able to save time and money by buying the camera online.”
The thrill of the hunt
Everyone loves a bargain, and the easier it is to find, the better. “The Internet has made us all more savvy shoppers,” says Graeme Spicer, a principal and senior consultant with J.C. Williams Group, a retail management firm in Toronto. “Where price comparison 15 years ago required an extensive investment in time to visit or call many stores, now up-to-date prices from numerous sources, with no geographic restrictions, are only a few mouse clicks away.”
But you don’t have to hit eBay every time you want to save some cash. Check out the following for the best in online shopping deals.
Price comparison sites
- At PriceGrabber.ca, you can search for deals in the categories of computers, electronics, cameras, software and video games.
- BizRate lets you choose the product you want — say, a pair of sunglasses — and search according to price range, make, shape and colour.
- Shopping.com offers product price comparisons and product reviews.
- mySimon has a clearance centre for computers and electronics, as well as bargains on everything from gourmet food to cars to toys.
Note: The last three sites are American, but you may find a good deal if you’re having trouble locating an item in Canada. Be sure the store you select ships to Canada.
Web-only deals
Colleen Durno, a secretary in New Minas, N.S., saved $10 on a hotel stay in Montreal when she booked the room at Choice Hotels International. “It’s very convenient to book these kinds of reservations online,” says Durno. “Quite often you sit on hold on the phone longer than it takes you to book your reservation online. Best of all, you can save money.”
- Air Canada and other airlines offer web-only deals to get you booking through their sites.
- Canadian Tire advertises web-only deals on its E-Flyer Weekly Specials page.
- L.L.Bean offers web-only specials on clothing for men, women and children, as well as home furnishings, outdoor gear and luggage.
Clearance sales and outlets
- Indigo Books & Music features a books outlet where you can find steep discounts on a variety of genres.
- La Senza has great deals on panties, camis, teddies and more.
- Mountain Equipment Co-op offers slashed prices on discontinued clothing, gear and footwear.
- Eddie Bauer Outlet has a slew of bargains for men, women and home.
- The HBC Shop has the goods on the Bay, Zellers and Home Outfitters.
- Sears Outlet Site lists the clearance items for the department store.
- Bombay offers a selection of marked down home furnishings and accessories.
For a current listing of warehouse and factory-clearance sales on home products in Ontario, go to the Current Sales & Events page of BestBuys.
Refurbished items
Some stores sell refurbished items or display models at reduced rates. To find a refurbished computer, click the Recertified button on TigerDirect or go straight to your preferred PC dealer such as IBM or Dell. For electronics, head to Best Buy and type Refurbished in the search box. Looking for kitchen appliances? Try BestBuys.
Even more ways to find great deals
To find out the best time to buy certain products throughout the year, check out our list below.
January
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February
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April
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June
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July
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August
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October
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December
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