Tech-Knowledge

Navigating the clearance isles of the Internet

By: JD Welch

Posted: 10/8/08

Have you ever wondered where the great deals on the Internet are, and you aren't sure exactly where to go? There are many Web sites that claim to have the best deals on the Web and they might be right about a few items, but you'll never find deals like the ones you're about to discover.
If there is one Web site that should always be stored in your favorites, it is www.dealsucker.com. The purpose of this site is to monitor the best one-day-deal sites on the Internet. Dealsucker.com has many different types of Web sites that it monitors. They monitor computers and electronics, sports and recreation, games and toys, home and garden, apparel and accessories and miscellaneous products from these sites.
Woot.com is another great Web site to watch for electronic equipment such as televisions, computers, vacuums, and other random products like outdoor convection ovens and electric dusters. Prices range from $1 to $500 plus, but the best part about Woot is that no matter how big or small an item is, shipping is only $5. Another bonus is "Two-for-Tuesdays", where you get two identical items in a single purchase. New items are posted on the Web site at 10 p.m. Pacific Time daily. There is a gamble though, as some products are limited in stock and can run out quickly.
Woot also has a wine and T-shirt component similar to the general Woot site. Wine Woot features wines from various vineyards and years. The wines are usually sold as a sampler from a single vineyard and will include between three and five bottles of wine in a variety of styles. Shirt Woot features exclusive original designs that are sold on their Web site. None of the shirts display a Woot logo. All shirts sold are printed on 100 percent cotton shirts made by American Apparel and are produced at the Woot printing facility in sweatshop-free conditions. The featured Woot Shirt of the day is only $10 and shipping is free. Shirt Woot receives designs from the public. Designs are chosen by the Web site owners or by shirts that receive a majority vote from Web site users. If the site or the public favors a shirt, the Web site will start printing it.
Secondact.com is one of the best sites to visit if you're in the market for a new television or some home audio equipment. They provide varying shipping options along with options for an extended warranty on everything you purchase. Steepandcheap.com is an outdoor and recreational equipment site that provides different products all day long. This site has a limited quantity of a certain product and once they are all sold they move to a new product. Whiskeymilitia.com is a sister site to steepandcheap.com which sells apparel, shoes and accessories. The products at whiskeymilitia.com are those you'd find in a skate shop.
All of these sites are at your fingertips with pictures that enlarge as your cursor scrolls over them, a brief description of the item, the suggested price by the manufacturer and the prices which are listed on the Web site. How are these Web sites able to provide these services? Products that these sites sell are overstock merchandise, old models straight from the manufacturer or refurbished equipment. Don't be afraid of the word "refurbished." The manufacturer fixes the defective product to its original glory and then places it for sale on these Web sites. Alternatively, some of the Web sites are just selling their own items. These Web sites are used as a place to launch their upcoming products to see how well they sell and to see how the public reacts to the product.
Deal sites are essentially the clearance aisles of the Internet. As with clearance aisles in a store, shopping with them can be hit and miss. However, the sites listed above are usually more hit than miss, and because they are only a click away why not give it a try? You might find the deal of the century.