May 27

Do Your Homework on the Web
Sun Review May 27, 2000

Comparison shopping on the Net can save you time and money.

Even if you decide not to buy online, you can find valuable product reviews and do your preliminary research without ever entering a "bricks and mortar" store.

Web-based shopping agents are easy to use. Tell the shopping agent what you are looking for, and it will scour its database of online stores to tell you what's available where, with links to retailers so you can simply click through and place your order without any further hassle.

Here's a look at some agents that help you search for the best deal on cellular phone plans, consumer electronics, books, music, or computers and software.

Comparecellular.com is the first cellular price plan comparison website for Western Canadian consumers. Eighty-five per cent of visitors to the site during trial reported saving money. Now you can compare cellular phone plans offered by Rogers AT&T, Telus, Clearnet, Fido, Sasktel, MTS and Bell Mobility in easy to understand terms. Existing cellular phone users can analyze their phone usage and determine whether they have the most cost effective plan. You will also find a helpful dealer locator, glossary and FAQ section. Plans are also underway to add third party perspectives on wireless application protocol (WAP) phones, and other wireless technologies.

Shopping for a VCR, a toaster, or a new truck? There's no store that carries all brands, you can't find the relevant copy of Consumer Reports and you just don't have the time to do the research. Check out MSN's eShop (www.compare.net). Choose a product, set price and feature parameters, and you will get a brand-to-brand, head-to-head comparison of all available models with your specified features and options. You can also ask for a side-by-side comparison of two items, or click on any item for more detail.

Active Buyer's Guide (www.activebuyersguide.com) gives you intelligent decision-making tools to help you pick the right product from appliances to exercise bikes, based on such criteria as the item's cost, specific features, weight, and dimensions. You can do a basic search, view purchasing tips, or follow the step-by-step decision guide to find the products that best fit your needs, then compare them side-by-side.

Evenbetter.com (formerly Deal Pilot) helps you find any book, CD, video or DVD, then compare prices, shipping costs and delivery times of the requested item from all major online stores.

PriceScan (www.pricescan.com) may be the easiest way to buy big-name computer hardware, software, and supplies on the Web. Tell it whether you want Mac or PC, and optionally, which brand, how much RAM, memory, type of chip, processor speed, whether you want CD-ROM, DVD, or modem, and how much you are willing to spend. Links to vendors are also included.

Also check out PriceGrabber (www.pricegrabber.com) and CNET Shopper.com (www.shopper.com) to search dozens of online cyberstores for the best prices. And one final caution: Most of these sites are U.S.-based, so check the applicable taxes, exchange, duties and import taxes before you purchase anything online.