Shopping Tip #2: Price Protection

So, let's say that after carefully researching a large (or small) purchase and shopping for the best price, you finally pull the trigger and buy it somewhere -- either online or in a brick and mortar store. Have you ever checked back a few days or weeks later to discover that the item is now on sale?

It's a little frustrating to realize you paid more than necessary for something, but the good news is that most retailers will give you a price adjustment for 30 days after your purchase date when the price goes down on the item you purchased. The only catch is you have to know to ask for the price adjustment, which means you have to know that the item is on sale.

There's a new little web site called Price Protectr that now makes this challenge much, much easier. After making a purchase at a participating retailer, you can simply plug the URL of the item into Price Protectr along with your e-mail address, and Price Protectr will notify you when the price drops on the item you purchased.

Participating retailers include Amazon, Babies "R" Us, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Circuit City, Costco, Gap, Lowes, Kohls, Office Depot, Office Max, Sears, Staples, and more.

I've already saved about $40 using Price Protectr on two purchases I made this year. Perhaps you'll save even more than me when you "price protect" your holiday purchases. Give it a try -- you might be surprised on how often you can get a few bucks back.

Christmas Shopping, Anyone?

UPDATE (10/09): We are no longer endorsing Capitol Ministries. Please see this post for details.

Consumer Reports:

If any of you would find it helpful to do a little research before making a major purchase, please let me know. I have access to some good reviews and ratings through an online subscription with Consumer Reports.

Support Capitol Ministries while you shop:

Additionally, if you plan to shop online this holiday season, please consider starting your shopping from www.capmin.org/Donate/Shop.aspx. At no extra cost to you, a portion of your purchase will benefit Capitol Ministries. Participating retailers include, but are not limited to, the following:

Amazon.com
Best Buy
Dell
eBay
Expedia
Gap
Home Depot
HP
Kohls
Macys
Nordstrom
Office Depot
Overstock.com
Sears
Staples
Target
Travelocity
Walmart