Holiday lights: Are LED's a better deal?

Is it a bright idea to use LED lights for the holidays? We compared LED and incandescent bulbs in three sizes — mini, C7, and C9 — determining how much it cost to light strings totaling 50 feet for 300 hours. We also exposed the bulbs to moisture, hot and cold temperatures, and UV light, and sent each type of bulb to an independent lab that measures brightness. Read on to find out which kind of bulb is better for your lighting needs this holiday season.

>> More

Cyber Monday record: $733 million

As expected, online sales on "Cyber Monday," November 26th, hit a new record, of $733 million, according to numbers released by ComScore. However, despite marking the first day in which total ecommerce sales broke $700 million, Cyber Monday's record isn't likely to last for long. As it did last year, that number is expected to be eclipsed shortly by even higher one-day figures. "We expect that a number of individual shopping days during the coming weeks will surpass the Cyber Monday total, with some days potentially surpassing $800 million," said comScore chairman Gian Fulgoni. That number still doesn't come close to Black Friday's sales figures, which some put as high as $10 billion.

Pick the right gift card for your holiday shopping

The Office of Consumer Affairs of Montgomery County, MD, just released its fifth annual gift card survey, and the results won't surprise anyone who has kept track of our reporting on gift cards. The agency recommended 18 of the 22 retailer gift cards it reviewed from late October to November.

But the Consumer Affairs office said all of the 30 bank-issued cards it examined continue to have purchase and processing fees, expiration dates and other gotchas, some of which were not properly detailed despite disclosure-related lawsuits brought by the Federal Trade Commission and 2006 guidance issued by the federal Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

The report’s criticism of gift cards, particularly those issued by banks, mirror many of the problems we identified in our recent gift card report. Bank-issued cards bear a major credit logo and, unlike retailer cards, can be used at most merchants that accept that brand of credit card.

>> More

Top 5 Cyber Monday myths

If you didn't get your fill of shopping this weekend, you've still got today, Cyber Monday, to hunt for bargains. Actually, you've got a few weeks, though it is worth checking out some of the deals being touted today. Before clicking that "Buy" button, however, be sure to review our Top 5 Cyber Monday myths:

1. You can get the best deals today.
Yes, there are some great deals to be had if you shop right now. Dozens of stores are offering free shipping and discounts on purchases. But many of those offers don't end today. For example, at the top of the official Cyber Monday Web site (sponsored by the National Retail Federation, which created the "holiday" two years ago) is a link to Apple's online store offering free shipping on all purchases with the tag "today only." However, Apple routinely offers free shipping for orders over $50, so unless you're planning on picking up something for less than that (not an easy task, given that the cheapest new iPod is $79), there's no reason to hop online and buy it today. Similar issues apply with many other merchants, so be sure to read the fine print before you rush into a purchase.

2. Cyber Monday is the busiest day for online shopping.
Sure, it's busy. In fact, according to ComScore networks, last year's Cyber Monday was a record day, with $608 million in online sales. But by December 25th, that record had been broken over 10 times, with the trophy going to December 12th, at $667 million.

3. If you don't shop today, hot products will be sold out.
This one's tricky. Yes, some hot items may sell out today, or over the next few days. And, the closer you get to the holidays, the more likely it is that some "must-have" gifts might be harder to come by. So, if there's anything you absolutely have to buy, and you're afraid it's going to sell out quickly, go ahead and place that order soon — though in most cases, that doesn't mean today.

4. You should shop online today if you want to get your gifts before the holidays.
Because Christmas falls on a Tuesday this year, you can order gifts from many retailers as late as December 18th and still get them delivered on time using standard shipping (and some offer overnight shipping as late as December 22nd). However, if you're shopping for Chanukah, you may want to get busy. The Festival of Lights starts next Tuesday.

5. If you shop at work today, your boss is not going to be pleased.
Sorry, this one isn't a myth. According to the National Retail Federation, 54 percent of workers will shop at work today. Headhunters Challenger, Gray & Christmas (yes, that really is their name) estimate that workplace shopping may cost the economy almost $500 million in lost productivity. So, if you must shop today, do it on your lunch break, so both you and your boss will save a few bucks. (And before you shop, be sure to check out these tips from ShopSmart!)

Happy Buy Nothing Day!

Yes, we're aware that we've been going over (and over, and over) Black Friday info for the past couple of weeks. So here's something for those of you who want to do something other than shop today. It's Buy Nothing Day, an annual event organized by the Adbusters Foundation, which seeks to declare a "24-hour moratorium on consumer spending." Events include the Credit Card Cut-Up, where volunteers stand in shopping malls and volunteer to help consumers clip their cards; and the Zombie Walk, in which the "cheerful dead" wander around malls. More information is available at Adbusters.org.

Of course, if you're not into cutting up cards or getting dressed up in zombie gear, you can also join Consumers Union's “Twelve Days of Safe Shopping” campaign, and call on manufacturers, retailers, and government agencies to develop effective measures to prevent unsafe products from reaching store shelves. But we won't hold it against you if you opt to go zombie instead.

Black Friday deal roundup from CR's experts

We know you're probably just tucking into your turkey about now, and we don't want to interrupt your feast. But if you're planning on braving the crowds tomorrow, we thought it might be helpful to provide this recap of our tips on Black Friday shopping. Our editors have scoured websites, circulars and shopping malls to provide this roundup, and they've managed to find some good deals in just about every major product category. Of course, many of these deals extend past Black Friday, so be sure to read the fine print. After all, there's no reason to rush out to the mall tomorrow if you can get the same prices later in the weekend, or even next week, when you might be able to avoid crowds and do a little weekday shopping (we promise not to tell the boss).

• Best GPS navigation deals
• Best deals on desktops and laptops
• What to look for at Wal-Mart
• HDTV deals from CompUSA, Staples
• Home products, including wine chillers, grills and coffeemakers

Speaking of Black Friday, although we've long acknowledged that the day's name is derived from the notion that hordes of tryptophan-addled shoppers drive retailers "into the black" right after Thanksgiving, we're a little fond of the alternate etymology floated by The City Desk. According to the site, which specializes in "fictional urbanism," Black Friday was actually named for Laurence H. Black, a black-suited ("That’s how they remember me. Black suit, Mr. Black, see?") department store sales clerk who died on the job on November 27th, 1964. "The following year, on the Friday after Thanksgiving, all of the employees wore black suits and dresses, highlighted by a single red carnation, with a moment of silence at 7:48 pm, a tradition that carried on year after year and was picked up by many other stores in the city." So, this year, remember the apocryphal Mr. Black when you're hitting the malls, and don't worry about whether or not the retailers are raking in enough cash (besides, we all know their biggest day is really December 21st).

CU launches "12 days of safe shopping"

 

Want to spend Black Friday doing more than shopping? If you're in New York, Boston, Chicago or Minneapolis this Friday, you can join Consumers Union's “Twelve Days of Safe Shopping” campaign, and call on manufacturers, retailers, and government agencies to develop effective measures to prevent unsafe products from reaching store shelves. Volunteers in these cities will be handing “Safe Shopper coupons” to cashiers when they buy something, asking that the cashier give the coupon to the store manager. In addition, thousands of individuals across the country will be handing out coupons in their own communities as well.

“With the recent recall of Aqua Dots, one of the top touted toys this holiday season, parents don’t know what is safe to buy their children,” said Jean Halloran, Director of Food Policy Initiatives at Consumers Union. “We want retailers and manufacturers to be far more diligent in making sure the toys and products they sell are safe.”

More information, including a list of locations where you can join the campaign, is available at ConsumersUnion.org. And for a humorous take on a very serious issue, click on the image above to watch a video prepared by CU's Not In My Cart campaign.

And if you are going toy shopping on Friday, be sure to read our tips for a safer holiday.

Toy shopping tips for a safer holiday

Has all the talk about dangerous lead-tainted, poisonous and highly magnetized toys left you paralyzed with fear of even setting foot in a toy store this holiday season? Don't worry. While we can't follow you into the mall and personally check out every toy for you, we do have some tips for safer shopping. Among them:

1. Do not buy metal jewelry — especially cheap metal jewelry — for young children.  About 20 percent of children’s metal jewelry has high levels of lead lurking beneath the surface coating.  A child who mouths or accidentally swallows a piece of lead-laden jewelry can suffer lead poisoning.
2. You can test toys for lead by using a home lead test kit.  Although they are not always accurate, a positive test result indicates a high likelihood that the product you’re testing has lead.  Consumer Reports recommends the Lead Check and the Lead Inspector, which performed best in our tests.
3. Be careful of toys with magnets. Many toys have small magnets that can fall out and, if swallowed, can cause serious health problems that are hard to diagnose.  Don’t buy toys with magnetic parts that are small enough to be swallowed.

You can find our full set of 12 toy shopping tips for a safer holiday at Consumer Reports on Safety.

Take care with credit and debit cards this holiday season

It's not just gift cards you need to watch for this holiday season. The editors of Consumer Reports Money Adviser have some tips on how to manage your debit and credit cards. Their top piece of advice: Don't let finance charges and other fees push you over your budget. To keep from spending more than you have to, use the payment method that makes the most sense for you. If you pay off your credit card balance in full each month, charging your holiday gifts won’t cost you anything in finance costs and may even provide a bonus in the form of a cash-back or other type of reward. If you’d rather spend only what you have on hand but don’t wish to carry large amounts of cash, use a debit card. Get more info and tips here.

Our Top 10 Black Friday shopping tips

With just three days to go until Black Friday, you can be forgiven for getting a little anxious about the start of the holiday shopping season. Don't worry; we're here to talk you down. First of all, it's important to remember that you don't have to get all — or any — of your shopping done this Friday. In fact, only 22 percent of those surveyed in a recent CR poll expected to finish their shopping right after Thanksgiving, and forty-five percent expect to take until the second week of December to finish. Still, if you're determined to brave the crowds on Friday, we're with you, and have a few simple tips to make the day a little less stressful:

1. Do your homework to unearth the best deals. Web sites such as Black Friday Ads, GottaDeal, and DealTalker reveal advance information about Black Friday circulars and other sales at many stores, and feature downloadable coupons. Another useful site, RetailMeNot, features coupons and discount 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 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. Many retailers also offer the opportunity to purchase the item online and pick it up locally. 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.

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 and dangling bonus discounts. 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.

Black Friday and the Web are shopping solutions for holiday procrastinators

If you're not among the five percent of consumers who have completed their holiday shopping, you're in good company. We're just days  away from Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving, when retailers roll out the red carpet early and roll down their prices), and nearly two-thirds of holiday shoppers have yet to crack open their wallets. That's one of the findings of the most recent survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. In the survey conducted earlier this month, less than half of women (46 percent) and less than a third of men (30 percent) had gotten a start on their gift buying.

Some of those shoppers are planning to storm the stores on Black Friday. Others, however, prefer to shop in the quiet of their homes — or sometimes quietly at work — by visiting online retailers. Whatever the venue, clothing is top of the list for most Black Friday shoppers (79 percent) followed by electronics (70 percent).

Small gadgets like iPods and other MP3 players, video game systems and digital cameras are the most coveted electronics items, but a lot of big flat-panel TVs will be carted out of the stores as well. And this year women seem almost as keen on them as men. Almost as many women (45 percent) as men (49 percent) who plan to buy a flat-panel TV said they are considering one 42 inches or larger. Here are some other major findings:

Black Friday
More shoppers plan to take advantage of so-called Black Friday doorbusters this year than last, with 24 percent of respondents saying they'll brave the crowds, up from 20 percent last year. Respondents in the 18-to-34 age bracket will help make it a big shopping day, with 34 percent planning to hit the stores.

Black Friday shoppers say their gift lists include clothing (79 percent), electronics (70 percent), toys (64 percent), gift cards (58 percent), jewelry (40 percent), small appliances (35 percent) and recreational or fitness equipment (23 percent).

To get the advertised specials, 12 percent of respondents say they plan to stake out a place in line waiting for the store to open. Last year 14 percent of those asked queued up to get a bargain.

Online shopping
The survey also showed a growing preference for shopping online instead of standing in line. More than two-fifths of adults (42 percent) will shop online this year with more women joining the gift-clicking crowd (41 percent this year vs. 37 percent last year). The main allure, those surveyed said, is convenience (48 percent) but some shoppers say they go online for better selection (12 percent) and better prices (11 percent).

Most online consumers shop from home (95 percent), but among those surveyed who work full-time, 21 percent said they shop from work. Of those, 15 percent admitted to shopping during work hours.

Evenings are the most popular time of day to shop online, especially for males (63 percent) and consumers ages 18 to 34 (64 percent). Three-quarters of online shoppers do not have a day of the week when they typically shop but for those who do, shopping online peaks with 43 percent of respondents shopping the Web on Saturdays, followed by 20 percent on Sundays, 11 percent on Fridays and lesser numbers the rest of the week.

Does shopping online save time? Apparently not. Those with Internet access from home will spend about 11 hours shopping online and that's about the same amount of time — 10 hours — as the general public.

Flat-panel TVs
Nearly one in 11 adults is planning to purchase a flat-panel TV for the holidays. Of those, 54 percent expressed a preference for an LCD television and 29 percent plan to purchase a plasma. The rest were unsure what type to buy. That uncertainty, however, was not as evident when respondents were asked what size screen they plan to get — 47 percent plan to buy a screen 42 inches or larger.

While size mattered more to men (54 percent) than women (36 percent) last year, this year the gap has narrowed with men (49 percent) and women (45 percent) setting their sights on a screen 42 inches or larger.

The gap also narrowed in what men and women expect to pay for a flat-panel TV. Last year men were willing to pay an average of $1,700 for a flat-panel, which was $240 more than women on average. This year men are still planning on paying more but on average only $110 more than women expect to pay. Prices have fallen and this year consumers expect to pay up to $1,300 for a flat-panel.

No longer just a guy thing, flat-panel TVs have a stronger appeal to women this year. Among married couples, the top reason men want a flat-panel is for a better picture (44 percent) while the key reason for women is that it frees up floor space (27 percent) followed by it's something her partner really wanted (24 percent).

Eight percent of respondents who do not plan to buy a flat-screen TV before the holidays said they plan to buy one afterwards. The reason, most said, is that it was too much money to spend right now (40 percent). Last year, 31 percent of consumers who planned post-holiday flat-screen purchases said they did so because they expected prices to drop. This year only 22 percent of respondents have that expectation.

Methodology: The Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a telephone survey of a nationally representative probability sample of telephone households. 1,009 interviews were completed among adults aged 18 and over. Interviewing took place Nov. 1-4. The margin of error is +/- 3% points at a 95% confidence level.

New service helps curb catalogs

It's the time of year mailmen dread, as just about every day brings stacks and stacks of holiday gift catalogs. If you're looking to stem the tide of catalogs in your mailbox, Catalog Choice, a new service developed by the National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council and the Ecology Center, can help. The online service lets you request that merchants remove you from their catalog mailing lists.  A  recent article in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel quotes April Smith, a spokeswoman for Catalog Choice, who said that so far all the merchants they have contacted, including L.L. Bean, Lands' End and Lillian Vernon, have said they will honor the stop requests. The article also cites a statistic from  Resource Information Systems Inc., which claims that American households receive an average of 110 catalogs a year. The overall damage to the environment to produce the catalogs adds up to the emissions of 2 million cars, according to Environmental Defense. Unfortunately it may be too late to stop your catalogs this holiday season, since it generally takes four to 10 weeks for the service to take effect. But there's no time like the present if you want a green Christmas next year.

Recalled toys still being sold online

A while ago when discussing toy recalls, we mentioned that some of the toys might still be appearing in thrift shops and on eBay. Now a new study from MarkMonitor bears that out. They have found recalled toys on eBay and other sites including iOffer.com, Alibaba.com and Made-in-China.com. The toys are gone from most stores, but online, where different jurisdictions have different standards, some recalled toys can be easily ordered. Some of these sites also ship in bulk, so the products could still wind up in some small retailers. Most of the listings (83 percent) ship from the U.S. The research firm saw more than 1,100 listings for the toys daily and about 8 percent carried enough information, such as product numbers, to leave no doubt that they were recalled items. Most of the listings, 79 percent, were at  Made-in-China.com, 13 percent were at iOffer and 8 percent were at Alibaba. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)  has been working with eBay to stop the auctions but dealing with the other sites has become an issue. iOffer has a way to submit issues but it is more difficult. If you are concerned about a toy that you think might be questionable, check with the CPSC for the latest recall information.

For more about recalls, check in with Consumer Reports on Safety.

The return of Black Thursday

Last year at around this time, we reported that retailers eager to get a jump on holiday shopping were moving their openings back ever earlier, with some, including Comp USA and BJ's Wholesale Club, opening on Thanksgiving day, and many Chelsea Premium, Prime, and Tanger manufacturers’ outlet centers opening at the stroke of midnight on Black Friday.

This year, it looks like shoppers can expect even more early openings, according to Reuters.

If you happen to be in Las Vegas, which is oddly enough becoming one of the hot destinations for Thanksgiving, you can shop (among other activities) on the holiday. Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas is joining the open-on-Thanksgiving crowd, and is keeping their 100 designer outlet stores open on turkey day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The ever-earlier openings are not universal; many of the big retailers are bucking this trend. Wal-Mart, Circuit City and Best Buy are all opening at 5 a.m., the same  time as last year.

What to do when giving or getting gift cards

We've kicked off the holiday season with our public education campaign about gift cards. Why gift cards? For one thing, unredeemed gift cards can be easy money for retailers and lost money for consumers. TowerGroup estimates that nearly $8 billion was lost last year due to unredeemed value, expiration or loss of gift cards.

“It’s easy to understand the appeal of gift cards. They’re the perfect no-muss, no-fuss gift for the finicky family member or friend. It’s a no-brainer,” says Tod Marks, a CR senior editor. “But gift-givers and recipients alike need to be aware of the pitfalls and make sure that precautions are taken so that the recipient gets the gift and not the retailers.” With that in mind, here are a few tips from the editors of the Consumer Reports Money Adviser newsletter:

IF YOU'RE GIVING A GIFT CARD:

• Think twice about bank cards. While bank cards generally can be used at more retailers than store cards, they're often loaded with fees and restrictions. If you must give a bank card, find one that doesn't charge maintenance fees until at least a year after the card is issued.
• Check the merchant's prices. It's annoying to get a $25 gift card for a store that sells little at that price. When selecting a store-issued card, find out how much things generally cost and get a card with at least that value.
• Send along the receipt. Some issuers require the original receipt to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged card.

>> More

Avoid gift card pitfalls

They’re convenient and popular, but gift cards are often loaded with fees, expiration dates, and other hassles

They seem like a perfect solution to the problem of what to give this holiday season. Gift cards are offered by banks, shopping malls, retailers, airlines, restaurants, hotels, Web sites, and even state parks. And you don't have to go far to find them—many supermarkets and drugstores display racks of gift cards conveniently near the checkout.

But a card is one gift that can keep on giving … grief. That's especially true for bank-issued cards, which often saddle recipients with fees, expiration dates, and other gotchas. Retail cards generally aren't as troublesome but some of them lose value or expire if you don't use them quickly, depending on laws and regulations in your state.

>> More

Best HDTVs for any budget

If a high-definition TV is on your holiday shopping list, here's news that could have you smiling all the way to the store: Thanks to continuing price cuts, you're going to get more TV for the money than you would have last year.

Prices are expected to be about 30 percent lower on average than during the 2006 holiday season, with even steeper drops on some TV types and screen sizes. Want more info? Our full report is available here, with free tips on picking the right plasma or LCD set at prices from under $1,000 to over $2,500. And if you're a ConsumerReports.org subscriber, you can use our Ratings to help you pick the exact model to meet your needs.

British shoppers head to the U.S. for deals

The falling dollar may be bad news for shoppers here in the States but the prospect of easy deals is luring shoppers here from all around the world this holiday season. Bargain hunters are flooding in from the U.K. where the power of the pound is at a high. The Scotsman reports that Britons are headed to New York City where they can score some real deals on designer jeans and other clothing and hot gadgets such as the iPod. Flights before Christmas are relatively cheap but overseas shoppers might end up blowing a lot of those savings on finding a hotel room in the city. Elina Kavan, the director of public affairs at Macy's, confirms that British shoppers are on the rise this season and that they have an appetite for American brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren.

Consumers returning to the U.K. still have to declare goods over £145 at Customs and are subject to a 20 percent duty on many goods over this limit plus 17.5 per cent  on items subject to VAT. It doesn't seem like the savings are that great once all those incidentals are figured in but the lower price tags are still a lure.

Black Friday doorbusters: Digital photo frames, portable GPS, TVs

TV deals on Black Friday generally garner the most attention, but the latest Black Friday ads on sites such as www.gottadeal.com and www.theblackfriday.com show that digital photo frames and handheld GPS devices are also being singled out for star treatment.

The best deals we’ve seen—so-called “doorbuster specials”—generally occur in the early-morning hours (typically starting at 5:00 or 6:00 a.m.) and last for several hours. The sale items are generally offered in limited quantities, which could be as few as 10 per store. Make sure you read the fine print in the ads to see if there’s a chance you can actually get one of these deals, especially if you’re not one of the apparently large number of people willing to camp out overnight to ensure a good place in line.

James Willcox of the CR Electronics Blog has compiled a list of some of the latest Black Friday leaks. Check it out here.

Eight rules for savvy holiday shoppers

Whether or not you've already started your holiday shopping, you should check out these tips from our editors to save money and avoid hassles. My personal favorite is No. 7, "avoid priority shipping." According to our research, the deadline for free shipping from major retailers will expire about Dec. 18, though standard shipping might be possible for a day or two longer. Ordering one-day service can add $20 or more and doesn't guarantee delivery within 24 hours of clicking on "place order." Of course, this means you have to get those orders in early (or at least earlier than mid-December). As far as I'm concerned, that's a small price to pay to save on shipping charges.

— Marc Perton

Survey: Free shipping will be a major online promotion

What promotion would you like online retailers to offer this holiday season? The results of the 2007 eHoliday Study, conducted by BizRate Research for Shop.org and Shopzilla, indicate that almost two-thirds of online shoppers says that they are hoping for free shipping. And it seems like they'll get their wish. The same survey reports that 78.6% of retailers plan to offer free shipping with conditions (conditions include free shipping for certain items or a certain dollar amount). Other shipping offers include free shipping upgrades, discounted shipping and free shipping without conditions. You can also expect other promotions retailers including online-only sales, early shopper discounts, repeat-buyer discounts and special promotions for referring a friend.

Retailers are also planning to make the links between their stores and websites more direct than ever before. Four out of five online retailers with physical stores say they will offer in-store advertising for their websites and email registration for customers who do not yet subscribe. Many also plan to have salespeople be able to place an online order for a customer or let customers order online from the store themselves through in-store web kiosks.

Your Thanksgiving can be tasty and green

Now that Halloween is over, it's time to get excited for the next big eating holiday, Thanksgiving. This year more than ever people are concerned with the green factor in what goes on the table. You can have a delicious Thanksgiving meal and choose foods and beverages that help benefit the environment and the people who produce them. Our Greener Choices has a guide to having a greener Thanksgiving.

Turkey options include choosing organic and biodynamic turkey, certified humane and free farmed meat and heritage breeds, which are traditional animal breeds that were raised before the age of industrial farming. For fruits and vegetables, organic and biodynamic produce is also an option as are heirloom varieties and Fair Trade certified fruits. Coffee, tea and wine are also available in Fair Trade certified varieties. Rainforest Alliance certified coffee and tea is grown in a way that limits the use of agrochemicals and Bird Friendly certified coffee is grown under a tree canopy that supports healthy bird habitats. And to finish off your meal with a sweet treat you can also choose organic, Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance certified chocolate. The Greener Choices Eco-labels center offers full details on labels to look for when you are  making your shopping list.

Retailers ask for help with online crime

Could the things you buy via eBay be stolen? At a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on crime, terrorism and homeland security, retailers asked Congress to require Internet auction sites to share information on high-volume sellers. The merchants say that criminals steal large amounts of a product and then sell it online. Popular items stolen include over-the-counter drugs and personal care items from drug and grocery stores, and clothes, gift cards and electronics from other stores. The items are then resold on eBay and other sites or in local flea markets. Tim Hammonds, president and chief executive officer of the Food Marketing Institute, says that the gangs of thieves steal up to $30 billion in merchandise a year. 

The concern for consumers isn't just the ethics of buying stolen goods. Products that are temperature or safety-sensitive such as infant formula or cold medicines may not be stored properly, which could cause health risks for the buyers of these items.

One possible solution being floated is to require sellers to post the serial numbers of items for sale, much as sellers of cars post vehicle identification numbers. Experts worry however, that thieves would just make up numbers. Another idea is to make high-volume sellers offer more information about themselves such as their names, addresses and telephone numbers on product listings, but sellers are often reticent to make than type of information public. Retailers say that to them what is most important is that the auction websites work with their investigators, not just law enforcement, to help curb these crimes.

Wal-Mart's new Black Friday: November 2nd

While other retailers are gearing up for the three-day shopping extravaganza affectionately known as Black Friday, tomorrow (Friday) Wal-Mart kicks off its own holiday shopping season three weeks early with special deals on what it says are five of the most sought-after items. Jim Willcox over at the CR Electronics Blog has some more info, along with his thoughts on where prices are going on some hot products this holiday season.

Survey: Luxury consumers spending less

Deepening economic worries have now hit the luxury end of the market. A new survey from Unity Marketing finds that luxury consumer spending is at the lowest point in two years, dropping 21% from an average $15,283 in the second quarter of 2007 to $12,142 in the third quarter. Luxury shoppers are holding back on personal luxuries such as high-end purses, jewelry and watches but are continuing to spend on travel, fine dining and beauty services.

So far the overall economic cloud has not touched the "super-affluents," those with a household income of $150,000. Their level of spending has remained the same while the "upper-middles" with a household income of  $75,000-$100,000 and the "lower-uppers" with a range of $100,000-$150,000 have begun to cut back. The drop in consumer confidence is believed to be due to the increase in foreclosures and skyrocketing oil prices among other reasons.  Thomas Bodenberg, Unity Marketing's economic forecaster, says that for luxury retailers the the outlook for the Christmas season is clouded at best.