Shopping DIY Online

Everyone is doing it—internet shopping.  In fact, this year 148 million U.S. consumers age 14 and older will make at least one purchase online, according to estimates reported by eMarketer.  By 2015, that number could grow by an additional 30 million consumers.  And it's not just the convenience of shopping online that keeps customers coming back for more.  It's the variety and the bargains.

You can find deals for just about everything online today, from clothing and electronics to groceries and travel.  Home goods and DIY/remodeling products are no exception.  Think faucets, hardware, appliances, lighting, windows and tools. Imagine buying a Kohler jetted tub at 2 a.m. in the comfort of your own home at a store that never closes, where there's never a line at checkout. And, while sales are common enough in retail stores, you may find even greater savings by searching the sites.  With no brick and mortar stores to maintain, online retailers are in a much better position to pass savings on to their customers.  The key is to do your research and invest some quality shopping time.

THE UPSIDE OF SHOPPING ONLINE

Whether you live in an area where retail shopping is plentiful or limited to a big box store, a small hardware shop, or perhaps a manufacturer showroom, the key to finding deals is shopping comparatively.  Online you have access to the broadest range of products possible. Having more to choose from could seem more of a curse than a blessing.  But, rather than become overwhelmed, spend time researching and comparing brands and features, and the list will begin to winnow down based on your requirements, personal likes and budget.

To help you navigate products, features, and costs more competently, look to comparison shopping sites like mysimon.com, pricewatcher.com, and dealzconnection.com.  You can search these sites by product category and then compare by brand. When you know the brand and model, be sure to check out the manufacturer's website.  Many sites, like boche-home.com, will let you select multiple products in the same category to see how they stack up in terms of features and cost.  

If budget rather than brand is your guide, then you'll find even greater values online.  With promotional coupons and incentives from retailers, manufacturers, newsletter promotions, and websites like Groupon, your purchase can be a real bargain.  And, don't overlook Amazon, O.com (formerly overstock.com), eBay and Craigslist.org where unsold inventory of home goods and DIY-remodeling products can be found at significant savings.