Cyber Monday

Just because Black Friday has ended, that doesn't mean that good savings are completely gone. Cyber Monday, the  marketing term for the Monday immediately following Black Friday, the Friday following Thanksgiving Day in the United States. Cyber Monday sales last for about eight days, typically from the last Monday in November to the first Monday in December. Online retailers will be ready for the surge in sales, and many are offering extra incentives to encourage people to shop online. Deals will range from free shipping to gifts with purchase to percentages off.

According to the article, Cyber Monday Shopping Ramps Up  by CNNMoney.com, "The NRF reported 212 million shoppers went to stores and websites over the weekend, up from 195 million shoppers during the same period last year. The average shopper spent $365.34 during Black Friday weekend 2010, compared to $343.31 during the same weekend last year, the NRF said. Total spending for the weekend was $45 billion."

Some tips to protect your rights and your privacy are as follows:

• Shop at secure sites-
• Research the websites before you order
• Read the websites privacy and security polices
• Be aware of cookies and behavioral marketing
• NEVER give out your social security number
• Disclose only the bare facts when you order
• Check the website address
• ALWAYS print copies of your orders
• Learn the merchants cancellation, complaint, and return polices
• Use shopper's intuition
• Be wary of identity theft

For more detailed information on what to look for and how to protect yourself on Cyber Monday visit Online Shopping Tips: E-Commerce and You

Beware of scammers. Scammers can pretend to be selling a product, often very cheaply, in order to steal your information. They may take your money and give you a worthless item, or nothing at all. Most online auction sites put a lot of effort into spotting scammers, which is why scammers will often try to get people to make a deal outside the auction site.

Here are some warning signs to protect yourself from being scammed http://tinyurl.com/28aafg

• A product is advertised at a very low price.
• The seller and any initial bidders have a very poor rating on an auction site.
• The other party wants to complete the sale outside of the auction site (if you do this, you lose any protections that the site operator offer to their users).
• The other party insists on immediate payment, or payment by electronic funds transfer or a wire service.
• The online shopping website does not provide adequate information about privacy, terms and conditions of use, dispute resolution or contact details.

Other Resources to Save You Money:

New vs. Used: Where to Spend and Where to Save- What popluar items should we spend money on? Which one's should we buy used? This artical explains the details.

5 Items Worth Waiting For- What to Buy After the Holidays- With so many of us returning gifts after the holiday season, here are a few items to wait on giving to your family and to yourself. The best deals are often found after the holiday season and into the new year.
Gift Giving Ideas for the Holidays: Gifts From the Heart- Holidays can be even more complicated when finances (especially credit cards) become overwhelming. Focus on alternative gifts to your family and friends without spending a fortune.

P.R.E.S.E.N.T.S More Tips On How to Save

Click Here For More Gift Giving Ideas