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Instead of asking, "What can I buy on the Internet?" the question to ask is, "What can't I buy on the Internet!?" You can buy just about anything you need...and don't need. You can shop 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, at your own pace, and in the privacy of your home. No lines, crowds, pushy salespeople, or annoying music blasting in your head. Here are a few tips on how to shop 'til you...have to stand up! WHAT CAN YOU DO? Buy just about anything you can imagine online...clothes, books, make-up, vintage cars, stocks, flowers, toys, jewelry, computers...you get the idea. Find close-outs, amazing bargains, and get tax breaks. Enjoy the convenience and ease of shopping from home. Have access to stores in other cities around the world. FIND WHAT YOU WANT Search agents allow you to find in a few seconds what previously might have taken days, years, even a lifetime to unearth. Some sites will even suggest products for you. Amazon.com will list other items you might like, based on what you've ordered. DISCOVER BARGAINS Since online stores have lower overhead and are working hard to attract new Internet consumers - web shopping is often cheaper than brick and mortar stores, shipping costs including. (Many sites ship for free!) Many sites feature close-outs and bargains. America Online has its own Bargain Basement. Specialty sites (those selling only one type of item) often have liquidation sales. And don't forget those sites that employ shopping bots; these 'comparison shopping bots' will scour the Web for you to find the best price on any item you want. You might try MySimon, or Dealtime. Also, if you buy something out of state, you can often avoid paying tax. Some sites will even let you decide what you want to pay, while merchants bid for your business! You can name your own price for things ranging from toilet paper to airline tickets at sites like Nextag.com and priceline.com. SHOPPING ONLINE IS CONVENIENT Busy schedule? Shop at three in the morning in your pajamas if you want to. Getting married? Many sites, like Della.com, have online gift registries. Haven't decided on that gift? Browse at your own pace. Looking for something specific? Search for items by product, designer, manufacturer, price, even calories or color. If you're sick in bed, you can order medicine from your computer at places such as Drugstore.com. You can order groceries or get your child a care package of goodies that will be delivered right to his dorm room, thanks to sites like Peapod.com and Carepackages.com. New sites are cropping up every day that deliver CD's, video rentals, and food to right to your door! READY TO TAKE THE PLUNGE? Start shopping online with these easy steps: 1. Go to the site where you plan to make a purchase. 2. Browse, just as if you were in a store, until you find what you're looking for. 3. Click on a link indicating that you want to buy that item. 4. You'll then be transferred to a "secure server." All the information that is transmitted, from this point on, is encrypted. 5. You will be asked for your name and the address you want the purchase to be shipped 6. Type your credit card number. 7. Choose one of several shipping options (overnight, two-day delivery, etc.). 8. You will be given a chance to cancel your order or to proceed. Typically, the company will notify you by e-mail to confirm your order. It's that easy! YES, BUT IS IT SAFE? If you're comfortable handing a credit card to a store salesman (he could copy down your number), or giving out your credit card number over the phone (no-goodniks with scanners can intercept your calls), you should be comfortable making purchases over the Internet. For more information, visit "Defensive Online Shopping Tactics." print this lesson | back to lesson main page Choose an item you want to buy (say a book) and compare prices at two retail sites.