Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Great way to use the Internet!
By utilizing the wide reach of the Internet, likeminded consumers can now team up to bring down the price of products offered online. Already a widespread trend in China where the team buying phenomenon is known as tuanguo, the trend is beginning to get attention in the U.S., as well. By giving users the option to name prices, nag merchants and band with others who want the same products, the opportunity to save cash can grow exponentially.
These are two sites that serve as meeting places for Americans looking to team buy:
NetHaggler: Users first select a product from NetHaggler’s list of stores that includes everything from Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s to Best Buy and Circuit City. They then specify a preferred price at which the site can aggregate demand and ultimately negotiate with the merchant on behalf of the prospective customers. When a bulk bargain price agreement is reached, NetHaggler notifies all hagglers with the option to buy, but no one is required to buy in the end.
eSwarm: Buyers can either join a current swarm or start a new swarm demanding not only consumer goods, but also anything from health insurance to debt refinancing. As soon as a seller bids on the swarm, no one else can join the swarm and other business have just 48 hours to counter bid. Swarm creators can even add a philanthropic bent to their consumerism by stipulating that a percentage of the total sale is donated to the charity of their choice.
These are two sites that serve as meeting places for Americans looking to team buy:
NetHaggler: Users first select a product from NetHaggler’s list of stores that includes everything from Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s to Best Buy and Circuit City. They then specify a preferred price at which the site can aggregate demand and ultimately negotiate with the merchant on behalf of the prospective customers. When a bulk bargain price agreement is reached, NetHaggler notifies all hagglers with the option to buy, but no one is required to buy in the end.
eSwarm: Buyers can either join a current swarm or start a new swarm demanding not only consumer goods, but also anything from health insurance to debt refinancing. As soon as a seller bids on the swarm, no one else can join the swarm and other business have just 48 hours to counter bid. Swarm creators can even add a philanthropic bent to their consumerism by stipulating that a percentage of the total sale is donated to the charity of their choice.
Labels: bargains, innovative, internet, shopping
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Shoppers Beware-Y
NYP June 7, 2007 -- Shop 'til it drops....
IF you spent $48 on the "Lux" brand dress at Urban Outfitters , you just got frocked. Sure, it seems worth the money - it's relatively cheap and perfect for a steamy hot summer day, paired with leggings or even over a bathing suit.
But the exact same "Angie" brand dress - stitch for stitch, button for button - is $17 at Strawberry. Even the tag on the inside is the same: Rn# 66170 and Ca# 32054.
A third look-alike - a $32 "Nolita"-brand dress at Century 21 - features the same Southwest-style print but is a little longer, has a belt and big yellow fabric buttons.
So what's the deal? Turns out they're all manufactured by Star of India Fashions, an Arizona-based company with a New York showroom in the Garment District. Angie and Nolita are divisions under the Star of India umbrella, and the company makes private-label dresses for Urban Outfitters. We learned our lesson - it pays to shop around.
IF you spent $48 on the "Lux" brand dress at Urban Outfitters , you just got frocked. Sure, it seems worth the money - it's relatively cheap and perfect for a steamy hot summer day, paired with leggings or even over a bathing suit.
But the exact same "Angie" brand dress - stitch for stitch, button for button - is $17 at Strawberry. Even the tag on the inside is the same: Rn# 66170 and Ca# 32054.
A third look-alike - a $32 "Nolita"-brand dress at Century 21 - features the same Southwest-style print but is a little longer, has a belt and big yellow fabric buttons.
So what's the deal? Turns out they're all manufactured by Star of India Fashions, an Arizona-based company with a New York showroom in the Garment District. Angie and Nolita are divisions under the Star of India umbrella, and the company makes private-label dresses for Urban Outfitters. We learned our lesson - it pays to shop around.
Labels: bargains, NYPost, shopping
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
It always sucks to buy something in a store, come home, and realize that it was available online or at another store for $50 less. You bonehead. Way to do your research.
Well, a service called Frucall will allow you to be impulsive yet still protect yourself from overpaying. Simply call the toll-free number (1-888-DO-FRUCALL), punch in the barcode number from the product you're planning on buying, and it'll give you the cheapest prices at which it's available. Soon the service will start allowing text messages and mobile Web price checking, but it doesn't get much easier than calling. So go ahead, go to Best Buy with no prior knowledge of how much you should spend. It's still not the brightest way to shop, but at least now you're somewhat protected. –Adam Frucci
Thanks Gizmodo!
Well, a service called Frucall will allow you to be impulsive yet still protect yourself from overpaying. Simply call the toll-free number (1-888-DO-FRUCALL), punch in the barcode number from the product you're planning on buying, and it'll give you the cheapest prices at which it's available. Soon the service will start allowing text messages and mobile Web price checking, but it doesn't get much easier than calling. So go ahead, go to Best Buy with no prior knowledge of how much you should spend. It's still not the brightest way to shop, but at least now you're somewhat protected. –Adam Frucci
Thanks Gizmodo!
