Five Tips for Holiday Tech Shopping

I don't think you can find a person who doesn't like gadgets anymore.  Everyone is so techie with the increase of every day devices that are not only fun but make life easier.  From iPods to charging stations to wii gaming systems to iPads, they are everywhere and age seems to be boundless.  My little ones alternate between the wii, the iPods and laptops.  I can honestly say I don't mind because they are learning some valuable skills with these devices and they can be educational from a gaming standpoint to getting them moving around with the fitness and other activities found on the wii.  My oldest daughter and husband are also techies so finding gifts for them is also fun.


This holiday season, shopping for the latest high tech product can be difficult given all the various devices and manufacturers not even including finding the best deal.  Here are my five tips for holiday high tech shopping:

1. Know the person you are purchasing the gift for.  You need to know the gadget they already have or what they want precisely.  My husband picked out a refurbished iPod for his daughter and she had a fit over it. Nothing ruins a gift if it's not what the person wants or needs.
2. Shop around for the best deal.  Cyber Monday was a good opportunity to purchase a great deal but it's not too late.  Sign up for e-mail alerts from stores such as Best Buy to avoid missing out on a great deal.  I always Google the store I'm looking at and include "discount," "free shipping" and "coupons" to maximize my savings.  Stores like Kohls have great stacking deals such as a percentage off, free shipping and Kohls bucks.  Use the internet to maximize the savings!
3. When you decide on a product, make sure you conduct the proper reviews as well.  Always check at least a couple of sites.  I like to use Amazon for reviews since customers can enter their reviews and I feel I can trust them.  I also search by Google with the product name and add "reviews" at the end to ensure it's a good value for my money.
4. Open box deals aren't always a bad deal because many stores will simply put a returned item on the shelf even if nothing is wrong which means savings for you.  Always verify the return policy on the open items since some stores also take off for a return that is open.
5. Before you shop, check the Sunday advertisements for the best deal.  If you like a particular store over another, take the ad with you and bargain down for a reduced price.  Many stores over a guarantee price match if not a reduction.  Tis the season for trying to get a lower price as it never hurts and all they can say is no.

Techie gifts are ideal for so many but you really do have to make sure the person you are buying for wants it and it can be used.  You don't want to purchase something that the person cannot use or is too complicated due to age or mobility.  Whatever you end up choosing, you can find some wonderful presents such as digital picture frames, MP3 players, phones and so much more.  I always sign up and search for the best deals before I buy.

Happy hunting and Merry Christmas!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Staples blogging program, making me eligible for a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

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Staples, the world's largest office products company, is committed to making it easy for customers to buy a wide range of office products and services. Our broad selection of office supplies, electronics, technology and office furniture as well as business services, including computer repair and copying and printing, helps our customers run their offices efficiently. With 2009 sales of $24 billion and 91,000 associates worldwide, Staples operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia serving businesses of all sizes and consumers. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and today ranks second worldwide in e-commerce sales. The company is headquartered outside Boston.