shopping in australia

Online shopping makes Christmas cheaper | The Courier-Mail

IF you think the sharp-talking salesman in the Kris Kringle hat is too pushy, turn to the internet before setting foot in a shop this Christmas.
In the next few weeks at least six million Australians are expected to "pre-shop" their Christmas purchases via price comparison websites, says Paul Marshall of Lasoo.com.au.

Lasoo brings together the catalogues of big retailers such as Big W, Toys 'R' Us and Camera House, allowing shoppers to search for the best prices on instore items, from MP3 players to bicycles.

Reading product reviews or comparing prices on Lasoo is a prelude to visiting a bricks-and-mortar store - as is being forearmed with knowledge of the best available price.

Another site, GetPrice.com.au (partly owned by News Corporation, publisher of The Courier-Mail) fetches price comparisons but also gives access to online-only retailers.

GetPrice.com managing director Chris Hitchen says "left-field categories" such as watches and perfumes are popular on GetPrice, alongside mobile phones, MP3 players, GPS navigators and digital cameras.

"This gives customers that market snapshot, so rather than traipsing around different stores trying to negotiate with salesmen, they can just sit back and do the comparison online," Mr Hitchen says.

The site also monitors the biggest price drops in items over time, such as a HP Laserjet printer or a Christian Dior cologne, which both fell 50 per cent in the past three months.

Online auctions also are a rich source of bargain gift ideas.

Philip Druce, the general manager of online auction site Oztion.com.au, says his site's prices "in most cases are cheaper than you'll find in the high street".

"For example, I was just looking at console games and you can get new Wii games for $30 or $40, which is half the price you get them for at the shops," he says.

"And by shopping online you've also got those savings of fuel and parking as well as the convenience of shopping from home."

Shoppers could even list their own unwanted items for sale to make money to buy Christmas presents, Mr Druce suggests.

Tips for a low Net cost

* Never pay full price.

* Use price comparison websites to find out the cheapest deals.

* Buy from online stores to save time, money on fuel and parking, and always stick to your budget.

* Try online auctions for steep discounts. Buy at least two weeks before Christmas.

* Buy slightly older versions of electronic products (laptops, flat-screen TVs, MP3s etc) - you always pay a premium for the latest models.

* Upgrade your home theatre to full high-definition viewing with a Sony Blu-ray player at $449 - these first hit the market at $2000 plus - but remember a standard definition DVD player costs less than $200.

* Choice says to avoid the electric wine chiller, aromatherapy diffuser, electric ice shaver, foot spa, ice cream maker, vertical grill, handheld milk frother and pedometer.

* Consider a coffee grinder - the price of coffee is tipped to surge next year, meaning you could save that special someone from "cafe shock" next year.

* Toys that last are toys kids will remember - avoid trendy high-end toys that break easily.