The Virtual Woman: A Woman's
Weekly Guide To Cyberspace
If only my very good friend Madonna had the Internet back in 1985 when
working on her Immaculate Collection. Her quest to be a Material Girl could
have been made so much more efficient. No crowded shopping malls, no
hassles parking the Mercedes, no pesky paparazzi on Rodeo Drive. Carefree
shopping in the privacy of your own 18 room mansion. Something we can all
relate to, eh? Throw in the bad weather and the thick, anxious crowds
bubbling up at the mere mention of the word retail, and the Internet
becomes, hands down (and firmly planted on the keyboard) the more attractive
alternative to shopping in RL (real life). Given that it is that time of
year, I am going to answer my readers’ online shopping queries. And hey,
puh-leeze, with the 20th century almost in the bag, no more "shop 'til you
drop." It's "shop 'til you log off."
Dear Virtual Woman:
It's holiday time
and I'm stumped. My boyfriend and I have been together for over three years
(that's four holiday seasons) and I feel like I am out of original ideas for
gifts. When I ask him what he would like he tells me, "Honey, I'm sure I'll
love whatever you get me." Like that really helps! So Virtual Woman, it's
up to you: I either get myself a new boyfriend who can be more specific or
you find me a place online that can help me to come up with some new ideas
for him within my price range! Thanks for your help and for a great column!
- Pam S.
Dear Pam:
Tell that boyfriend of yours to relax. I've got an idea. Check out NetMarket (http://www.netmarket.com). This site is mostly known for its auction and "brand products at wholesale prices" but also offers a valuable tool called Gift Finder. Click on the Gift Finder feature which is generally promoted on the homepage. Once you get there, you can choose a category, such as "Special Gifts for Him," then choose a price range (from $0 - $200+), and then finally, click "Find a Gift." Can't get much easier, eh? The great thing about this site is whether or not you choose to purchase your boyfriend's gift through NetMarket, you can get a bunch of ideas in your price range without ever stepping outside. The categories are great too, ranging from "Baby Shower & Infant" to "The Pet Lover." If you still can't find a gift, you can take advantage of NetMarket's function called Personal Shopper. For this feature, you need to become a member of NetMarket (which costs a measly $1!).
Dear Virtual Woman:
I generally read consumer magazines
and newsletters like "Consumer Reports" and "Bottom Line" to do my
comparative shopping. These magazines are great when they happen to feature
a comparison on the product I'm interested in. More often that not, though,
I have to wait for months before an article appears, or worse, sift through
old issues looking for particular articles. Any ideas on how to do
comparison shopping online?
- Becky R., Baton Rouge
Dear Becky:
One of the biggest strengths of the Web is the way in which you can access huge amounts of data very easily (more and more web sites are becoming database driven). And this type of task is exactly what CompareNet specializes in. Visit CompareNet at http://www.compare.net and you can perform your own product comparisons, browse product reviews, and gather product information on everything from lawn mowers to stock brokers to printers. (It is true that some manufacturers "sponsor" sections of the site, but don't let that dissuade you. When you compare facts and figures, they will speak for themselves). Begin by choosing a category on the home page which range from electronics and software & peripherals to home appliances and sports & leisure. Next, choose the particular product that you are interested in. The search function is where the power of this site lies: you can search by price & features, by brand, by model number, or compare two items, and view CompareNet's recommendations. CompareNet professes to survey "all brands, all models, all in one place" and is updated daily so you never have to worry that the latest product or obscure brand will be missing from your comparison.
Dear Virtual Woman:
I just moved into my first home and am excited about furnishing it. Unfortunately, I've found the search for furniture frustrating at best. I have looked at department store's furniture selections, visited garage sales, and toured through countless furniture boutiques. Either the furniture is too expensive, too trendy, or just not my style. I would love to spend more time arranging my new furniture than looking for where to buy it. Is there an easy way to shop for home furnishings online?
- Frustrated Furniture Forager
Dear FFF:
The Virtual Woman has found a great web site to help you in what should be a fun task (not daunting!). Check out the FurnitureSite (http://www.furnituresite.com), the self-proclaimed "future of fine furniture shopping." FurnitureSite's homepage boasts a comprehensive mix of furniture, complimentary upholstery, floor coverings, and lighting search functions. Choose from a range of furniture such as: "categories" (accent chests to youth furniture), "finishes" (brass to wicker), "styles" (18th Century to Victorian), and "manufacturers" (A.A. Laun to Woodmark). FurnitureSite allows you to get price quotes, view fabrics, arrange home delivery, and check out their extreme values all from the comfort of your (sparsely furnished for now) home!
Happy Surfing!
Find these links and more at WWWomen.Com (http://www.wwwomen.com) the web's largest search directory of topics for women online. Email the Virtual Woman with your Internet questions or send snailmail to: WWWomen.Com, Attn: Virtual Woman, 3701 Geary Blvd., #325, S.F., CA 94118. Copyright, 1998. WWWomen, Inc. All rights reserved.
This column can only be re-distributed with written
permission by
Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service or WWWomen, Inc.
Contributing Editor: Samantha Smith
© Copyright 1996-98. WWWomen, Inc.®. All Rights Reserved.
WWWomen is a registered trademark of the WWWomen company.