Shopping
AmazonWhile many pundits say that applications on the Internet are the wave of the future, sites like Amazon.com are the reason it's the world's largest strip mall now. Amazon.com is still the reigning king of Net commerce, with myriad product categories and easy personalization that makes e-commerce easy.
EbayIf you've got something to sell, no matter how incongruous, chances are you'll find someone willing to buy it on eBay. The monolithic Web-based auction site is still the premier place to go whether you're trying to unload your Mom's avocado-hued fridge or looking for that elusive Taco Bell Chihuahua bobble head.
HappyCowThis site lists more than 3,000 vegetarian restaurants and health-food stores around the world, from a vegetarian pizzeria in Teheran to a food co-op in Kalamazoo. It also has Barneyesque graphics and a roster of famous vegetarians that claims Carmen Miranda, Leonardo da Vinci, and Hank Aaron.
NetflixWith over 25,000 titles to choose from and 24 U.S. shipping centers, Netflix can completely replace your local video store. The site's rating system is fun to use, though the recommendations aren't always quite on the mark. The excellent rental-queue system ensures you'll always have plenty of movies to watch.
OverstockYou can order your tickets for the big game, which are usually discounted at least 25 percent, right along with other necessities at great prices, like a $200 sheet set for 50 bucks. And before making an electronics purchase, double-check to make sure Overstock.com isn't selling it cheaper. A new plasma TV at 40 percent off just might make you want to sell those tickets and watch the game from home.
Epinions.comGot an opinion? Then share it! That's the concept behind Epinions.com, where consumers share information and experiences about everything from DVD players to travel destinations. The reviews offer a trove of details, bringing a whole new level of scrutiny to product purchases. You want to buy a new digital camera? You're contemplating a cruise? Don't make a decision without visiting Epinions.com. Not only will you find in-depth reviews, but you will also encounter price comparisons from scores of merchants.
Priceline.comLooking for a good deal on an airline ticket? Or maybe a car? Or any number of other products? Priceline.com would like to do the looking for you. Billed as a "buying service," Priceline asks you what price you're willing to pay -- and then asks airlines (or whoever else) if they've got a ticket they're willing to sell you at that price. Priceline.com has a new business model, and it's gotten a lot of attention, given the you-name-the-price buying system and the help of the company's celebrity spokesman, William Shatner.
FroogleSmart shopping through Google.
