Favorite Stores Tips
Read these 33 Favorite Stores Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Online Shopping tips and hundreds of other topics.
Drugstore.com
Drugstore.com
Drugstore.com is a great online source with reasonable prices for all of your health, beauty, pharmacy, household, and vitamin/nutritional needs. They offer many name as well as house brands and also offer products from GNC stores.
WalMart.com
http://www.walmart.com
WalMart.com is a great place to shop online (as well as in the real world). They offer apparel, clothes, electronics, toys, dvds, books, automotive care, sporting goods, health/beauty care, and much more. What's even better is that they offer their WalMart reusable gift cards that can be used at any Sams Club or WalMart brick and mortar store AND you can promotional coupon codes towards the purchase of these gift cards.
WalMart.com
Walmart.com
WalMart.com is a great place to shop online (as well as in the real world). They offer apparel, clothes, electronics, toys, dvds, books, automotive care, sporting goods, health/beauty care, and much more. What's even better is that they offer their WalMart reusable gift cards that can be used at any Sams Club or WalMart brick and mortar store AND you can promotional coupon codes towards the purchase of these gift cards.
Smarterkids.com
http://www.smarterkids.com
SmarterKids.com is a great place to get educational toys and materials for children. They offer great e-mail only specials when you join their mailing list. Shipping costs are average. In addition to accepting most credit cards, they accept Flooz too.
WalMart.com
Walmart.com
WalMart.com is a great place to shop online (as well as in the real world). They offer apparel, clothes, electronics, toys, dvds, books, automotive care, sporting goods, health/beauty care, and much more. What's even better is that they offer their WalMart reusable gift cards that can be used at any Sams Club or WalMart brick and mortar store AND you can promotional coupon codes towards the purchase of these gift cards.
WalMart.com
http://www.walmart.com
WalMart.com is a great place to shop online (as well as in the real world). They offer apparel, clothes, electronics, toys, dvds, books, automotive care, sporting goods, health/beauty care, and much more. What's even better is that they offer their WalMart reusable gift cards that can be used at any Sams Club or WalMart brick and mortar store AND you can promotional coupon codes towards the purchase of these gift cards.
Omaha Steaks
http://www.omahasteaks.com/
Omaha Steaks delivers quality gourmet quality meat, Kosher foods, and dessert products. This is the store to shop to find a food gift for the person who has everything.
Shipping is quick and packaged with care. Frozen foods are packed with dry ice and shipped in shrink-wrapped, insulated foam coolers. (Nice to keep afterwards to keep frozen foods cold when grocery shopping).
Prices are higher than your local stores, but they offer many specials throughout the year. You can also shop through different rewards programs to get additional benefits when making purchases.
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If unhappy the products will be replaced or you money refunded.
Spiegel.com
Whether it's by catalog or Internet, Spiegel is a great place to shop. They offer apparel, housewares, linens and much more. Stop by their "Ultimate Outlet" for even greater savings on quality products.
Customer service is excellent and shipping prices are reasonable.
Spiegel.com
Staples.com
http://www.staples.com
Staples has much more to offer than office products. They have a great selection of electronics, furniture, and software, too. Shipping is free on orders $50 and above. They offer many ongoing online coupons; as well as rebates online at their rebate center.
Staples.com
http://www.staples.com
Staples has much more to offer than office products. They have a great selection of electronics, furniture, and software, too. Shipping is free on orders $50 and above. They offer many ongoing online coupons; as well as rebates online at their rebate center.
NetGrocer
http://www.NetGrocer.com/
Netgrocer.com is a great company to purchase grocery staples from. They have a great brand selection of pantry type foods and drugstore products (no prescriptions). They do not carry perishables such as produce, meat, deli, dairy, or frozen items. They do not offer "house" brands either.
Prices are moderate, however the convenience of not leaving your house to make a shopping trip can far outweigh the difference in price.
Shipping starts at $5.99 and is based upon order price. Shipping is FedEx 2-day service.
Personal experience has seen excellent care in the packaging of items. Customer service has been fast, courteous, and polite. The website is user friendly.
Try to offset slightly higher prices by using promotional coupons found on such sites as Coolsavings, Flamingoworld, and others. See my other links for these net addresses.
PlanetOutdoors.com
Planetoutdoors.com
PlanetOutdoors.com is a retailer selling name brand outdoor sports gear. This includes apparel and equipment.
Shipping is a mere $5 for domestic US delivery per order. Other shipping options are available such as next day air at a higher cost. Returns are accepted within 60 days.
Categories
The purpose of the "Favorite Stores" category is to give a brief summary of the site. I will try to give information on type of products carried, shipping, returns, and any personal experience with it.
These stores are sorted in this category by type of products carried. If you need an alphabetical listing please refer to the "links" section of my Guru Resource Center.
OnlineShopping-tips_Links
Hickory Farms.com
http://www.HickoryFarms.com
Looking around for some great food but can't find what you are looking for? Try Hickory Farms. They have been around for over 45 years. They offer a variety of sausages, meats, cheeses, coffees, and desserts. This is a great place to order gifts of food for the holidays or just to treat yourself with gourmet specialties. They offer an unconditional guarantee that if you are dissatisfied they will replace, exchange, refund or issue you a credit. Shipping starts at $4.95 and is priced according to the total cost of the order being placed.
DrugEmporium.com
DrugEmporium.com
DrugEmporium.com (run by HealthCentralRx.com) is a great online store for all of your favorite products and brand name items. They have home health products, baby supplies, beauty aids, Prescriptions, vitamins, herbs, just to name a few categories.
I like this site because of the low shipping charge, reasonable pricing, periodic coupons, variety, and ease of use. Check them out.
eNews.com
eNews.com
eNews.com has a wonderful array of magazines for home subscription. (See my recommended magazine listing in my Guru Resource Center).
They have reasonable prices on magazines offered and all come with a full 90 day trial period. If within 90 days you decide you don't like the magazine, simply contact their customer service department and you will owe nothing. eNews.com takes the risk out of buying a subscription.
Nutripeak.com
Nutripeak.com
Nutripeak has acquired e-Nutrition.com, one of my favorites. They offer a nice selection of vitamins, herbs, sports nutrition, body care, and weight management products all at great prices.
The site is easy to navigate. Customer service is responsive. Orders are shipped within 24 hours of being placed. You can call them at 1-888-292-PEAK for a free catalog.
Currently they offer new customers 10% off with code SH211A. Standard shipping is a flat rate $4.50 under 5 pounds; $5 for over 5 pounds but under 10 pounds. Anything over 11 pounds, International, or Priority Mail is priced based upon weight.
Staples.com
http://www.staples.com
Staples has much more to offer than office products. They have a great selection of electronics, furniture, and software, too. Shipping is free on orders $50 and above. They offer many ongoing online coupons; as well as rebates online at their rebate center.
Drugstore/Health/Beauty Stores
Online drugstores can be a great convenience to those that are homebound, have busy schedules, or just dislike shopping in general.
Although there are quite a few drugstores online, they are not all the same. Here are some things to keep in mind:
*Not all online stores offer a full selection of prescription items.
*Some of these stores offer a large variety of items (i.e. multiple brands of the same type products), others have limited offerings.
*Some of these stores deliver nationwide, while others have limited local delivery areas.
*Not all insurance plans are accepted.
*Some stores have a full range of vitamins and health/beauty aids as well as pharmaceuticals, while others don't.
*Delivery charges vary widely.
*Look for online coupons for these stores-it will save you some money.
Coffee Wholesale USA
http://www.coffeewholesaleusa.com/
Coffee Wholesale USA is a real gem I came across on the Internet. I'm an avid fan of gourmet and specialty coffee and they offer a fantastic selection of ALL kinds of coffee, national brand, flavored, specialty, etc. all at reasonable prices.
So far I've tried the special varieties Celebes and Brazil Bourbon Santos--both are fantastic!! They do not over roast the beans like some companies do. (I tend to prefer a lighter roast). I've ordered the Chocolate flavored but haven't yet tried it. I'll let you know when I've tried it. Please take a look at this great website today.....
Outpost.com
Outpost.com
This store is similar to Amazon.com but on a smaller scale. They offer shopping in the following categories: Computers (PC and Mac), Electronics, Cameras, Games, Handhelds, Innovations (by Brookstone). You can also order from FultonStreet.com through Outpost. Shipping is nominal. They accept most major credit cards and Flooz too.
Staples.com
http://www.staples.com
Staples has much more to offer than office products. They have a great selection of electronics, furniture, and software, too. Shipping is free on orders $50 and above. They offer many ongoing online coupons; as well as rebates online at their rebate center.
SmarterKids.com
SmarterKids.com
SmarterKids.com is a great place to get educational toys and materials for children. They offer great e-mail only specials when you join their mailing list. Shipping costs are average. In addition to accepting most credit cards, they accept Flooz too.
Grocery Stores
Online grocery stores can be a great convenience to those that are homebound, have busy schedules, or just dislike grocery shopping in general.
Although there are quite a few grocery stores online, they are not all the same. Here are some things to keep in mind:
*Not all online stores offer a full grocery selection of staples, fresh produce, and meat.
*Some of these stores offer a large variety of items, others have limited offerings.
*Some of these stores deliver nationwide, while others have limited local delivery areas.
*Only a few accept manufacturers coupons, most of the others do not.
*Delivery charges vary widely.
*Look for online coupons for these stores-it will save you some money.
See my list of tips for many of the online grocery stores operating today.
WalMart.com
http://www.walmart.com
WalMart.com is a great place to shop online (as well as in the real world). They offer apparel, clothes, electronics, toys, dvds, books, automotive care, sporting goods, health/beauty care, and much more. What's even better is that they offer their WalMart reusable gift cards that can be used at any Sams Club or WalMart brick and mortar store AND you can promotional coupon codes towards the purchase of these gift cards.
PlanetOutdoors.com
Planetoutdoors.com
PlanetOutdoors.com is a retailer selling name brand outdoor sports gear. This includes apparel and equipment.
Shipping is a mere $5 for domestic US delivery per order. Other shipping options are available such as next day air at a higher cost. Returns are accepted within 60 days.
Spiegel.com
Whether it's by catalog or Internet, Spiegel is a great place to shop. They offer apparel, housewares, linens and much more. Stop by their "Ultimate Outlet" for even greater savings on quality products.
Customer service is excellent and shipping prices are reasonable.
FultonStreet.com
http://www.FultonStreet.com/
FultonStreet.com is a high-end grocery that specializes in seafood, but carries other gourmet type foods. Prices are fairly high, however the quality of the product is excellent. Packaging is done exceptionally well with dry ice and insulated foam coolers. They accept Flooz which can help to offset costs.
Smarterkids.com
http://www.smarterkids.com
SmarterKids.com is a great place to get educational toys and materials for children. They offer great e-mail only specials when you join their mailing list. Shipping costs are average. In addition to accepting most credit cards, they accept Flooz too.
Giftcertificates.com
http://www.Giftcertificates.com
Don't know what to get for someone? Try ordering a gift certificate from www.Giftcertificates.com.
They offer gift certificates to over 500 merchants. The cost of this convenient service is $1.95 and includes:
* A classic card and envelope with your personal message printed on it
* Delivery by US mail within 2-8 business days
OR if you cannot decide upon a merchant to buy a gift certificate from, you can send them a "Super Certificate" by e-mail or by regular mail. You specify the amount to give and your recipient redeems the supercertificate and picks the stores he/she wants. The e-mail option is a great idea for those "last minute" gifts.
Specialty Food Stores
The Internet has become a fantastic resource for those looking for gourmet or specialty foods and gifts. Instead of coming up with an idea then calling around the country, you can use a search engine to come up with many choices to select from.
Check out my favorite specialty store reviews.
Spiegel.com
Whether it's by catalog or Internet, Spiegel is a great place to shop. They offer apparel, housewares, linens and much more. Stop by their "Ultimate Outlet" for even greater savings on quality products.
Customer service is excellent and shipping prices are reasonable.
Sparks.com
http://www.sparks.com
Sparks.com offers a wide variety of physical greeting cards to fit into any budget. They also offer candies, gifts, and gift certificates all at reasonable prices.
| Guru Spotlight |
| Jennifer Mathes, Ph.D. |
