The best places to buy stuff

Before you go shopping, here are our readers’ picks for the top sellers of home electronics, appliances, books, and more

 One of Consumer Reports’ greatest strengths is the ability to tap into experiences of hundreds of thousands of serious shoppers on subjects as diverse as restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, and theme parks. Year after year, our Annual Questionnaire provides fodder for some of the best-read stories in the magazine and on our Web site, in which we rate the stores and services people rely on day-in and day-out.

Whether your priority is quality, impeccable service, rock-bottom prices, or a combination of the three, our surveys identify the merchants that that did the best job of satisfying our readers’ needs. Chances are, you’ll be happy with these, too. In most instances, the results may make you wonder why almost anyone bothers to battle traffic and crowds by driving to a mall.

For home electronics

Readers who bought electronics products online were happier than those who bought at stores. That was the case for every product category we have data about. It proved especially true for digital cameras, audio gear, camcorders, DVD players, and digital video recorders. The top overall e-tailer was Crutchfield, closely followed by Costco.com, BuyDig.com, Amazon, Buy.com, and JR.com. Among the brick-and-mortar stores, readers gave the nod to locally run independents, but also praised Costco, Ritz Camera, Tweeter, Ultimate Electronics, and H.H. Gregg. Each, however, had particular advantages.

• Low-price leaders: Costco.com (and Costco stores), BuyDig.com, Amazon, Buy.com, and BJ’s Wholesale.

• Widest selection: Crutchfield, BuyDig.com, Amazon, Buy.com, JR.com.

• Best stores for service and selection: Ritz Camera, Tweeter, Ultimate Electronics.

For computers

Again, Web-based retailers tended to have better prices. Amazon was the only seller to earn the highest possible rating for its prices; PC/Mac Connection, PC/Mac Mall, and TigerDirect had the broadest selection and scored better-than-average on price.

A key limitation of independent online retailers such as these is that you may not have a lot of flexibility in customizing. The best place to do that is at a manufacturer’s own Web site. Among those, Apple rated tops in our survey, with superior selection and service. Lenovo (IBM) ranked among the highest overall for Windows PCs, though Dell earned top marks for selection. Our survey respondents were less satisfied overall buying at retail stores. Most of those stores offered average prices at best and few earned high marks for their service or selection. Two exceptions: Apple’s retail stores and Micro Center.

For retailers with both Web-based and physical stores, you’re better off going online. Costco and Circuit City Web sites, for example, offered a bit better selection than their stores. One advantage of dealing with a retailer/e-tailer: You can buy the system online, then pick it up almost immediately from the store. If you’re dissatisfied with your purchase, you can also return it to the store rather than shipping it back.

For small appliances

If you’re shopping for a vacuum cleaner, blender, toaster, or food processor, you’re probably better off skipping the stores entirely and clicking on Amazon, which won praise as the single best source for small appliances, even better than independent merchants. Shopping online eliminated many of our survey respondents’ complaints about regular retailers, such as finding good help and the lack of clearly marked prices. Amazon’s prices were unbeatable, and selection and product quality top-notch.

For bargain hunters

Who can resist a bargain? At manufacturers’ outlet stores, you can realistically expect to save between 30 and 50 percent off the everyday price of clothes, leather goods, housewares, china, and other merchandise sold elsewhere. Our tests confirmed that the goods are, in fact, quite good, even if they’re not always identical to what you’ll find at department stores and boutiques. And while prices are low, they’re not always rockbottom.

The outlets that offered the best combination of value, quality, service and selection: L.L. Bean (clothes, footwear, outdoor supplies), Jockey (apparel and intimates), Lenox, Pfaltzgraff and Mikasa (tableware and housewares), Carter’s and Osh Kosh B’gosh (children’s apparel).

For books

In a recent price study, pitting major booksellers Borders and Barnes & Noble against each other as well as Amazon, Jeff Bezos' megastore was the clear winner. Amazon discounted 21 of the 23 titles we checked – including hardcovers and paperbacks, bestsellers, and lesser-known works – for total savings of 36 percent off list. Barnes & Noble’s online store, BN.com, discounted 18 titles for savings of 19 percent. The stores themselves discounted only a few new releases and bestsellers; savings were minimal, around 5 percent. If you order through borders.com, you’ll be redirected to Amazon (which processes the orders) and pay the lower Amazon price. This time of year, book chains frequently waive shipping fees. Gift-wrapping is often free in stores, but may cost extra if you buy online. Gift cards from Borders and Barnes & Noble never expire and don’t have hidden fees. Amazon’s gift certificates become worthless after two years. In a sweeping story on buying bookstores we did several years ago, readers lauded independent sellers, largely on their strength of their knowledgeable and solicitous service. So if you need assistance, consider your local dealer.

Black Friday survival kit

As millions of Americans prepare to buy until they cry, here are 10 tips to survive the most celebrated – and dreaded – shopping weekend of the year

According to soon-to-be-released poll findings from the Consumer Reports National Research Center, an estimated 63 million Americans will hit the malls on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving that heralds the formal start of the holiday shopping season. About 14 percent of those will be ultra-serious bargain hunters, who plan to get a jump on the crowds by heading to the stores at or before dawn to take advantage of blockbuster sales.

They call it Black Friday because it’s the day that merchants traditionally count on to turn a profit (and hence, go from being in the “red” to being in the “black”). But Black Friday has expanded well beyond the day itself, fueling shopping momentum through the following “cyber” Monday, when millions log on at work to search the Internet for additional bargains.

There’s no doubt you can score some incredible deals by getting up extra early or staying up late to take in the midnight madness sales. But are the buys so irresistible that they’re worth losing sleep over?

To help guide you through this hectic period, we’ve compiled the following advice.

1. Do your homework to unearth the best deals. Web sites such as FatWallet , Black Friday Ads, GottaDeal, and DealTalker reveal advance information about Black Friday circulars and other sales at many stores, and feature downloadable coupons. You can also find out which products come with rebates and which merchants offer free shipping. Another useful site, Coupon Cabin, features coupons and discount or promotional codes, which entitle shoppers to bonus savings.

2. Check to see if you’re really getting a bargain. If you find a product in a flyer at a seemingly low price, go online first to determine whether you can get it elsewhere for less. Some sites that compare prices among multiple e-tailers and retailers include PriceGrabber, Shopping.com, PriceScan and DealTime. Amazon.com is worth visiting, too, as our reader surveys have cited Amazon as one of the best places to appliances, electronics, and books at excellent prices.

3. Check out the retailer’s Web site. Shoppers can learn if the products they want are stocked and available. It might even save a trip to the store. In addition, many retailers offer the opportunity to purchase the item online and pick it up locally, also a time-saver. Another plus: Retailers may offer coupons that shoppers can print out and bring with them for extra savings.

4. Weigh the risks and rewards of late-night and pre-dawn sales. It’s true, many retailers offer huge discounts, often selling a few attention-grabbing toys or electronic items at or below cost to lure you into the store, where you’ll hopefully purchase other more profitable merchandise. Such products sold as “loss leaders” are typically offered in extremely limited quantities and it’s first-come, first serve. Don’t bother to show up unless you’re willing to wait, sometimes for hours before the store opens, and even then there’s no guarantee. Such sales can be hazardous, too. On Thursday, there were reports of physical altercations at a Wal-Mart in Wisconsin when 60 people lined up for a chance to buy 10 Sony PS3 game systems.

5. Don’t assume the best deals are on Black Friday. While it’s too early to tell how deeply retailers will ultimately be forced to cut prices to boost their bottom line and move inventory, it’s clear that many merchants are already reacting to intense competition by slashing prices by as much as 50 percent and dangling bonus discounts to customers willing to shop at, say, slow times during the day. Inducements such as free shipping, delivery, and gift-wrapping are so widespread that they’re rapidly becoming the norm. So it’s not as if you’ll be forced to pay full price if you delay your shopping a bit. If you’re intent on getting the cheapest price, ask if the retailer has a guaranteed low-price policy, entitling you to a refund of the difference between the new price and what you paid if the item is available for less within a particular timeframe.

6. Shop early in the day. Black Friday shoppers must brace themselves for heavy traffic and packed stores, which means more time on the road and less time to shop. Obviously, you can shop in only one store at a time. So plan on arriving at your favorite ones early, before doors open and people pour in. Early birds also get to choose from the entire range of merchandise before it’s been picked through, which means fewer color, size, and style options. Retailer Web sites we scanned were more inclined to offer enticing discounts in the morning, when shopper traffic is lighter than in the afternoon and early evening.

7. Get extra savings through instant charge cards. If you plan a big-ticket acquisition, consider opening up an instant charge card to receive an extra 10 percent off at the point of purchase. Then pay the balance quickly and cut up the card.

8. Check return policies. Retailers are becoming stricter when it comes to enforcing return policies. Be sure to ask for gift receipts. If you lack a receipt, be prepared to be issued a gift card or store credit for the lowest price the item actually sold for, not necessarily what you paid for it. You’ll also need your receipt for warranty service. Purchases made during the holidays (usually the months of November and December) may be eligible for extended return or exchange privileges.

9. Be mindful of restocking fees. Some site charge as much as 25 percent for returns of opened GPS navigation systems, television sets, camcorders, digital cameras, and other major buys. Items such as computer software, movies, music and video games usually can be exchanged for the identical item but cannot be returned for a refund.

10. Guard your privacy and security. Read a Web site’s privacy policy. It might tell you that the site sells customer data, which means your inbox could be stuffed with spam. As for security, when entering personal data, make sure you’re on a Web page that triggers a security icon such as a closed padlock on your browser, indicating a secure connection for transmitting sensitive information. You should also use a single dedicated credit card for all online transactions, which will minimize aggravation should you be a victim of identity theft. After you’ve completed your purchase, a receipt will often appear on your final screen. Rather than jotting down the purchase number, print the actual receipt for your records, should any discrepancies occur.

We got game

Gaming fans lined up -- actually, they camped -- outside electronics chains across the country Thursday, waiting for the debut of Sony's new Playstation 3. The first console was scheduled to be sold at midnight on November 17. Sadly for the fans, Sony planned to release so few in the initial U.S. launch that many likely found themselves going home empty-handed by 12:05. On the other hand, those willing to pay any price could have found one on eBay, where we saw PS3s selling for as much as $10,000 this morning. Among those waiting on line in a New York rainstorm were several members of Consumer Reports' staff. Since we buy every product we test, we braved the elements with the rest of the fans, and managed to purchase a PS3, which is now safely ensconced in our labs awaiting testing.

This Sunday release of Nintendo’s Wii, with a remote that you wave like a wand, may provide hope for parents desperate to get a gaming console under the tree this year. Shortages like those anticipated for the Playstation are unlikely (at least we hope that's the case, since we'll probably be waiting on line once more).  -- Donna Tapellini

Will Black Friday be Flat Friday?

Wal-Mart jumped out early, but other stores are now playing catch-up

Think you have to wait until “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving that traditionally kicks off the holiday shopping frenzy, to get a good deal on consumer electronics?

Not this year. Earlier this month, Wal-Mart jumped the gun on the holiday sales season when it announced it was immediately cutting back prices on almost 100 popular electronic items, including flat-panel TVs, digital cameras, and notebook computers. Typically, retailers wait for the Thanksgiving holiday to jump-start sales for the Christmas season. But with these price cuts, Wal-Mart, which last year tried to move a bit more upscale by selling better, higher-priced goods, sent a strong message to its customers that it was returning in force to its low-price roots.

While the chain cut prices on a broad assortment of electronics, it was particularly aggressive in a category expected to be very hot this Christmas: flat-panel HDTVs. For example, it lopped $500 off a 42-inch Panasonic plasma HDTV (TH-42PX6U), bringing its price to $1,294 from $1,794, and sliced $300 off a Polaroid-brand 37-inch LCD TV, now priced at $997. The Panasonic plasma is still priced at more than $1,700 at most other retailers – but that could change in the next 10 days.

There are several reasons for the focus on flat-panel TVs. One is simply that they’re becoming must-have holiday items. According to a recent Consumer Reports holiday poll, one-fifth of the respondents say they intend to buy a flat-panel TV for, or after, the holidays. For another, sales of other potentially hot products are being hampered by high price, customer confusion, or lack of availability. For example, sales of Blu-ray and HD DVD high-definition DVD players have been slowed by high prices, a limited number of models, and a format war that’s left many potential purchasers on the sidelines. Much-awaited new game systems, such as Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Nintendo’s Wii, will be relatively expensive ($500 to $600 for PS3, $250 for Wii) and in short supply until the spring. And Microsoft’s delay shipping its new operating system, Vista, until the end of January is causing many would-be computer buyers to hold off until early next year, when they can buy their new PC with Vista pre-loaded on the hard drive.

In addition, there’s simply more competition in the flat-panel market. There are now more brands fighting for shelf space, and unlike last year, when there were spot shortages of certain sizes and models, flat-panel TVs will be widely available this fall and winter (so far, fears about possible LCD shortages, due to cuts in production, have proven unfounded). In addition, more stores are deciding to sell TVs, or are expanding their offerings. Home Depot, for example, which previously sold TVs only via the web and catalogs, is now carrying them in stores, and many computer superstores, such as CompUSA, have expanded their selections. 

So while Wal-Mart may have jumped the gun on holiday sales, there’s still a good reason to hold off buying until Black Friday: other retailers will be using the event to play catch-up. Some of the bigger chains have been asking TV manufacturers to suspend their minimum advertised price (MAP) requirements, which set the lowest prices stores can advertise their products without the manufacturer cutting off co-op advertising funds, for the three-day period. Typically, manufacturers don’t waive MAP requirements until a model’s been discontinued. Panasonic has reportedly agreed to waive MAP for a three-day period – which is why you may see ads with particularly aggressive prices for their sets – but it’s unclear whether other companies will follow suit. Based on our calls to manufacturers, several big-name brands will be dropping flat-panel prices in the coming weeks, but they’re being described as “normal” price cuts, not reactions to Black Friday specials. 

Still, based on several Web sites that have posted “leaked” Black Friday circulars for the major retailers, pricing during the Black Friday weekend should be quite aggressive. For example, a number of stores will be matching, or coming close, to Wal-Mart’s Panasonic price. If the leaked ads are correct, however, Wal-Mart will be responding with what could be the industry’s first sub-$1,000 42-inch HD plasma: a Viore-brand 720p model (PDP42V18HA), priced at $988. Wal-Mart also says it will be posting special deals on its website that aren’t mentioned in its Black Friday circulars. 

Based on the Black Friday websites we visited, here are some other flat-panel deals to expect from some of the major retailers:

• Best Buy will offer a Toshiba 50-inch plasma HDTV (50HP66) for $1,699 – down from $2,999 – and a 42-inch Westinghouse LCD TV (W4207) for $999 -- but only until noon as part of a “7-Hour Special.” Best Buy says there will be at least five per store, so that means quantities are limited. The chain sweetens the deal with 24-month no-interest financing.
• CompUSA is tying several Thanksgiving deals to a purchase and in-store activation of a Motorola RAZR V3 cell phone. Examples include a 23-inch Olevia LCD, which will be priced at $99. Separately, there will be a $400 “instant savings” on a 50-inch Zenith plasma set (Z50PX2D), bringing its price down to $1,799, while Panasonic’s 50-inch plasma (TH-50PX60U) is sale-priced at $2,499 after a $500 instant savings. The company also has a 36-month no-interest offer on any “total” home theater purchase of $799 or more.
• Circuit City will have a 50-inch Vizio plasma TV (P50HDTV10A ) for $1,499, down from $1,999, and Panasonic’s TH-42PX60U will be sale-priced at $1,299 (take that, Wal-Mart). A 50-inch version (TH-50PX60U) will be $1,999. The store is offering wall mounting of either set for $199, including the mount. Prices are good on Friday and Saturday only, and an 18-month no-interest offer is available on TV purchases of $499 and higher.
• Sears will have a Toshiba 42-inch plasma HDTV (42HP66) for $1,199 from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. only on Friday, and a Magnavox 42-inch HD LCD TV (42MF531D) for $1,359 on Friday and Saturday. A 50-inch Magnavox HD plasma (50MF231D) will be $1,999.
• Meijer will offer a 42-inch Sylvania plasma EDTV (enhanced definition, not HDTV) for $499 (after $200 mail-in/online rebate) Thursday only, with 3,000 sets available chain-wide. Friday’s and Saturday’s “doorbuster” deal is a 37-inch Sylvania LCD HDTV for $699 after a $200 rebate.

Certainly, prices on flat-panel TVs will be as attractive as they ever have been this holiday season. But for many of us, the key question is, “Will they be cheaper if we wait another month or two?” The answer, of course, is pure speculation, although experience tells us that sets are likely to drop again in price. However, we expect that any cuts will not be as dramatic as what we’ve already seen this year, and if any shortages develop in the final months of the year, prices could stabilize, or some models may no longer be available. You’ll have to determine whether missing out on a few months of “Desperate Housewives” or the bulk of the NFL season in high-definition is worth any money you might save. --  Jim Willcox

Resist the pitch

Just say ‘no' to extended warranties ... most of the time

For years, Consumer Reports has advised shoppers to avoid purchasing an extended warranty for most products. We feel so strongly about the issue that we recently took out a full-page ad in USA Today. No matter how much we write about the subject, the media just can't get enough. This week, I appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, and NBC News Insider Reports to discuss our latest and most comprehensive analysis of why these costly service plans rarely make sense, while Kim Kleman, deputy editorial director, spread the word on Fox & Friends. Dozens of other outlets were also interested in what we have to say, including the Associated Press, CNN, Chicago Sun Times, New York Times, and Los Angeles Times.

We're glad for the sweeping the coverage because it helps broadcast our message to a wider audience. And the timing couldn't be better, since consumers are expected to spend an estimated $1.6 billion on extended warranties household products over the holidays. No, that's not a typo.
Why are warranties a bad deal? To understand completely, you need to look at the whole picture, starting with the fact that retailers push them so mightily -- a clear signal of how highly profitable they are. Experts we've spoken with say that merchants can pocket half of a warranty's purchase price; that's more money than they often make selling actual products. You don't have to be a skeptic to realize that insurance companies are not in business to pay out on claims. That's why your premiums go up and policies sometimes get cancelled after just one car accident or calamitous storm.
It's also important to grasp what the concept of insurance is all about. Be it health, home, or auto, the primary goal of insurance is to protect you from catastrophic financial losses you cannot easily cover out of pocket. Repair costs rarely rise to such epic proportions.
When you take out an extended warranty, you're essentially making a sucker's bet. You're gambling on a series of events happening at precisely the right time under precisely the right circumstances. These include:

• That a product will break exactly after the manufacturer's warranty has expired and precisely when the extended warranty is in effect. Sure, it's possible, but unlikely.
• That the cost of the repair will exceed the cost of the warranty.  Surveys of Consumer Reports subscribers reveal that the costs are fairly close most of the time.
• That the product is likely to break in the first place. According to our data, most products are quite reliable and have not broken during the first three or four years of ownership.
• That you're going to want to have the product fixed. Perhaps surprisingly, many readers surveyed said they didn't bother seeking repairs because they desired a replacement product that had either new features, more power, greater flexibility, more advanced technology, or improved energy efficiency. 

A couple of exceptions to the rules

There are just two instances in which you might want to consider an extended warranty. One is for a rear-projection television set. Our data show that about 10 percent of rear-projection TVs bought new in 2005 or 2006 needed repair, three times the rate of picture-tube and flat-panel sets. A common problem: bulb failure. The median cost to repair these sets out of warranty was about $400. The cost of a replacement bulb is about $200 to $400, and the typical extended warranty covers one bulb.
The second exception: Apple computers. And it's not because Apples are trouble-prone. We recommend the extended warranty because the company offers only 90 days of telephone tech support. Most other manufacturers give you a year. After 90 days, you'll pay $49 per incident to call the Apple to help resolve any problem. If you still want an extended warrantyIf you're the kind of person who worries incessantly about your products' well-being, we suggest you put aside the funds you'd otherwise spend on an extended warranty in a contingency, or rainy-day, repair fund. If the unlikely happens and the product breaks, you'll have money available to pay the repair bill. If not, you can always put it toward the purchase of something else. If you're still not convinced and insist on buying that warranty, here are a few tips:

• You can often extend the manufacturer's original warranty for up to a year by purchasing products with your credit card. Most gold and platinum cards provide such coverage, but double-check with the issuing bank for specifics.
• An extended warranty should cost no more than 20 percent of the product's purchase price. And regardless of the price, try haggling. We've found some retailers are willing to negotiate on the price of a warranty.
• Make sure the terms are generous. For example, does the warranty company send a technician to your home to make repairs or arrange for pickup of heavy items? If your product will be in the shop for an extended period, can you get a free loaner? Also, find out if the warranty has a "lemon-law" stipulation that guarantees a free replacement product if the repairer can't fix the product correctly after three or four tries.

Shopping Tips: Make a list (you don't have to check it twice)

One of the goals of this blog is to provide tips to help you shop smarter. Some are geared toward in-store purchases, others online. Here are a few basic points to consider:

Shopping early in the season has its benefits, but waiting could be more rewarding. It’s too early to tell how desperate retailers will be to slash prices to move merchandise. Early birds are less likely to be shut out on the season’s hot gifts as well as the widest selection of sizes, colors, and styles. But chances are you’ll pay more. Conversely, if holiday sales tank, and retailers are forced to drop prices to dump inventory, well, you could score real bargains by holding out until later, though there’s always the risk that the exact brand and model you want might be sold out.

Prepare a list and stick to it. Doing your homework beforehand can minimize impulse buys. Be sure to write down alternative gift suggestions for your recipients in case you can’t find some of the items on your list.

Avoid the mobs. Crowds at the malls can be brutal on weekends. Midweek is usually quietest. Arrive as soon as the mall opens, when the merchandise is neatly arranged and sale clerks are perky. Dinnertime is another good time to beat the hordes. Avoid shopping between noon and 3 p.m., and save time by consulting a mall map first.

Deal with familiar online companies. Particularly at this time of year, you’re bound to stumble across Web sites that are new or unfamiliar. It’s important to buy from reputable companies with an established track record. If you are considering doing business with an unknown merchant, do your homework first, and make sure you understand all policies. Be wary of companies that don’t list a physical address or telephone number on its Web site.

Guard your privacy and security. Though your eyes may glaze over, be sure to read a Web site’s privacy policy. It might tell you that the site sells customer data, which means your e-mail In box could get jammed with spam. One trick is to set up an e-mail account exclusively for shopping online. As for security, when entering personal data, make sure you’re on a Web page that triggers a security icon such as a closed padlock on your browser, which indicates a secure connection for transmitting sensitive information. Unfortunately, that doesn’t guarantee the site is legitimate or that someone can’t steal your information once it’s in a retailer’s database.  

 

Watch this space for more tips throughout the holiday season.

What's your shopping strategy?

The average American will spend about $800 on gifts this holiday season. How and where will you spend it?

For all the exhilaration, shopping can be physically exhausting and mentally fatiguing. Especially at this time of year. Before hitting the malls, it’s important to develop a strategy to help you stay in control. Holiday shopping is particularly stressful because the season lasts so long. Nearly one-third of people interviewed by the Consumer Reports National Research Center said they began in mid-October; one in four won’t be finished until Dec. 22. That’s a long haul.

If you think you’re seeing decorations and hearing jingle bells even earlier than in the past, you’re not imagining it. One reason for the jumpstart is that brick-and-mortar retailers are fearful of losing business to online merchants, so they’re setting the mood to draw you in sooner rather than later. Retailers count on holiday sales for as much as half of their annual income. With so much at stake, merchants have wound up their marketing machines, and forecasters are predicting more late-night and early-morning sales than in the past. You’re also likely to see plenty of online deals offering free shipping, gift-wrapping, and other inducements.

Most consumers we surveyed are planning to do their shopping at mass merchandise stores like Target and Wal-Mart. Department stores are the second most popular venues, though their appeal share has been dwindling somewhat. Four of 10 shoppers overall – and fully half of those between ages 18 and 34 – plan to buy online, a trend that continues to increase as consumers become more comfortable with the process and more confident in the security of their transactions. 

What are the most- and least-desired gifts this season? Women ranked gift cards number one, followed by jewelry. Men, not surprisingly, want all things electronic. Sixty-percent of those surveyed said they intend to give gift cards. Most gift cards are bought for children under age 17 and for family friends. Ironically, more gift-givers intend to buy clothing than anything else, while those on the receiving end told us the last thing they wanted was, what else, clothes, particularly socks. So keep that in mind.

Wal-Mart announces deep price cuts

 

A month before "Black Friday," the shopping day after Thanksgiving that retailers traditionally count on to help make them profitable (or out of the "red" and into the "black"), the world’s largest retailer announced a series of price rollbacks on thousands of high-profile items, from hot toys and food processors to high-definition television sets and digital cameras.

By initiating price cuts so early in the season, Wal-Mart, which has 176 million customers pass through its doors every week, hopes to lure bargain-hunters away from competitors.

We checked out a few of the deals, and they were pretty good. But their prices weren’t always the lowest. Wal-Mart’s price for the Kodak EasyShare C875 digital camera was $250. At PriceGrabber we found the same model selling form $222 (at Beach Camera) to more than $300 elsewhere. Wal-Mart’s price for the popular Amazing Amanda doll, at $69, was $20 to $30 lower than online prices from KB Toys and Target. At $25,  Wal-Mart beat even Amazon, $35, for the Black & Decker 8-cup Quick ‘N Easy food processor. None of the prices include shipping or tax, if applicable.

Welcome to the holiday shopping blog!

 

If you’re like many Americans, you’ve probably begun shopping for the holidays. Nearly one-third of those surveyed by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, started hitting the malls in mid-October, and half them expect to have everything literally wrapped up by Dec. 15. Yeah, we’ve heard that before.

Whether you’re an early bird or a procrastinator who waits until the very last minute – a fraternity one-quarter of us belongs to – our aim is to help you shop smarter this season. That’s why we launched this blog.

Over the next six weeks or so, we’ll be reporting from the retail front lines, searching for great deals on some of the must-have home electronics products we’ve tested; listening to sales pitches and keeping an eye out for bait-and-switch schemes; gathering information on how much it’ll cost to deliver and install that new high-def LCD television you’re planning to buy; and tracking which new products are in stock and which are in short supply.

We’ll provide the inside scoop on extended warranties, rebates, gift cards, coupons, and return policies; reveal Web sites offering free shipping and other incentives to get you to buy; and let you know which retailers are resorting to serious price cutting (Wal-Mart has already put competitors on notice that it won’t be undersold on key toys and electronics items). And we’ll also share some last-minute gift recommendations from our product testers.

Our mystery shoppers, market analysts, and reporters are ready to roll to keep you in the know. And our experts at the Consumer Reports National Research Center are busy taking the nation’s pulse in a series of ground-breaking polls on how Americans plan to shop in the weeks ahead. The survey has generated tremendous media interest from Nashua, N.H. to San Gabriel, Calif., and yielded at least one invaluable nugget: Nothing says I love you quite like socks. And we don’t mean that in a positive way. It ranked as least-wanted gift among men and women.

So stay tuned. It’ll be a fun ride.