Did you spend the weekend at the mall?
Friday was the traditional start of the holiday shopping rush, which means many of us will spend the next few weeks fighting crowds and tirelessly culling store shelves for the perfect gift.
Is there an easier way?
Companies that have set up shop on the Internet would tell you there is. All you need is a PC, an Internet account, a credit card - and lots of patience.
OK, it might beat trying to find a parking space at the Eastgate Mall, but shopping on the Internet can be one of the most frustrating and confusing experiences you'll ever have.
The reason is that any Tom, Dick or Harry can set up a ''virtual store'' on the Web. And most of them have. The assortment can be overwhelming.
So here's some basic advice on how to shop on the Web:
Know what you want. The Web's most popular shopping sites excel at offering a large selection of basic goods. If your gift list includes things like books, music CDs or videotapes, you're in luck, since you'll find an enormous selection.
At Amazon.Com http://www.amazon.com, you can search through 2.5 million book titles; at CDNow! http://www.cdnow.com you can search through 250,000 CDs, vinyl records and music videos and download song samples, and at Reel.Com http://www.reel.com you can find that obscure video from 85,000 titles.
Look for reputable companies. Many major catalog companies, such as Land's End http://www.landsend.com, L.L. Bean http://www.llbean.com, Lillian Vernon http://www.lillianvernon.com and Harry and David http://www.harry-david.com have large online shopping sites that replicate their catalogs (and offer special sales).
Traditional mall stores have set up shop on the Internet. You can buy the classic Gap casual look online at Gap.Com http://www.gap.com, find toys at FAO Schwartz http://www.faoschwartz.com, get online coupons for Kay Bee Toys http://www.kbtoys.com and buy everything from fresh flowers to custom decorating at J.C. Penney http://www.jcpenney.com.
Even Sears http://www.sears.com has a limited site to order gifts, and Spiegel http://www.spiegel.com offers off-price goods at The Ultimate Outlet http://www.ultimate-outlet.com . There are new upscale online department stores such as Cybershop http://www.cybershop.com.
It's a computer world. Most online commerce involves computers and software, and the Web is a great place to shop for geek stuff. If you're looking for a Christmas computer, check out Gateway 2000 http://www.gw2k.com and Dell http://www.Dell.com, two of the top online retailers. Macintosh computers can be purchased online from the Apple Store http://store.Apple.com or online Mac retailers such as MacMall http://www.macmall.com or ClubMac http://www.club-mac.com.
Good prices on software and computer peripherals can be found at many places online. Reputable dealers include MicroWarehouse http://www.warehouse.com and PC Connection http://www.pcconnection.com. The Internet Software Outlet http://www.shoplet.com/software/ has more than 22,000 titles.
If you're a shopper who looks for the lowest price and best deal, visit Surplus Direct http://www.surplusdirect.com or Jem Computers http://www.jemcomp.com for refurbished and close-out goods. These sites and auction sites such as OnSale http://www.onsale.com and Surplus Auction http://www.surplusauction.com offer some amazing deals.
Even if you prefer to buy at a local store, visit PriceWatch http://www.pricewatch.com and What's 4 Sale http://www.whats4sale.com, two sites which find the best sale prices.
Be adventurous, but be careful. The Internet can take you around the world in minutes. You can buy Chinese folk art http://www.chinacollection.com, Brazilian jewelry http://www.dglnet.com.br/artesao/index.htm and African art from Kenya http://www.aaakopek.simplenet.com with a few mouse clicks.
Before buying online, check the Better Business Bureau database. Contact the company by e-mail and ask for a mailing address and phone number.
Look for shopping sites listed on Internet guides such as Magellan http://www.mckinley.com/magellan/Reviews/Shopping/index.magellan.html.
E-mail Charles Brewer with questions, comments and suggestions at CBrewer@enquirer.com
BREWER ARCHIVE