New book by Larry Connors Click here Improve your trading - See how
The term was coined in 2005 by a division of the National Retail Federation, whose surveys found an online buying trend on the Monday after Thanksgiving.
The shopping holiday has been criticized as a marketing scheme in the past, but recent surveys found that nearly 84 percent of retailers will have some kind of promotion for Cyber Monday. Almost one-fourth of those retailers will offer free shipping today.
Online shoppers can find many of these deals on cybermonday.com. Created by the federation, the site collects promotions from around the Web and organizes them by category.
Other Web sites such as dealnews.com and gottadeal.com collect bargain news from across the Internet into one searchable engine.
And if you're not sure whether you're getting the best price, there are a number of price-comparison engines available, like beatmyprice.com.
Shoppers can also find specific deals on individual retailers' Web sites.
Sites like barnesandnoble.com will offer books and music for up to 40 percent off and some DVDs and Blu-ray movies for 50 percent off.
Although more than half of employees who have access to a computer are expected to shop online at work today, Cyber Monday isn't the busiest online shopping day of the season.
"It really ranks about fourth or fifth," Kurt Peters, editor in chief of Internet Retailer told MSNBC. "Usually, Dec. 12 to 15 are the heaviest days."
Cyber Monday tips
Know whom you're dealing with. Confirm the online seller's physical address and phone number, in case you have questions or problems.
Know exactly what you're buying. Read the seller's description of the product closely, especially the fine print. Words like "refurbished," "vintage" or "close-out" might indicate that the product is in less-than-mint condition.
Pay by credit card. If you pay by credit card online, your transaction will be protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. Under this law, you have the right to dispute charges under certain circumstances and temporarily withhold payment while the creditor is investigating them. In the event of unauthorized use of your credit card, you generally would be held liable only for the first $50 in charges.
Keep a paper trail. Print and save records of your online transactions, including the product description and price, the online receipt and copies of every e-mail you send or receive from the seller. Read your credit card statements as you receive them, and be on the lookout for unauthorized charges.
Don't e-mail your financial information. E-mail is not a secure method of transmitting financial information like your credit card, checking account or Social Security numbers.
Source: the Federal Trade Commission at onguardonline.gov
More inside
How to buy safely online. A10
To see more of the Daily Press, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.dailypress.com. Copyright (c) 2008, Daily Press, Newport News, Va. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
More News:
Market Updates |
Stock Alerts |
All Trading News |
Stock Index
About TradingMarkets | Contact | Advertise | Careers | Link to Us | Site Map | Help | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Return Policy | Testimonials | Feedback
The Connors Group, Inc. ("Company") is not an investment advisory service, nor a registered investment advisor or broker-dealer and does not purport to tell or suggest which securities or currencies customers should buy or sell for themselves. The analysts and employees or affiliates of Company may hold positions in the stocks, currencies or industries discussed here. You understand and acknowledge that there is a very high degree of risk involved in trading securities and/or currencies. The Company, the authors, the publisher, and all affiliates of Company assume no responsibility or liability for your trading and investment results. Factual statements on the Company's website, or in its publications, are made as of the date stated and are subject to change without notice.
It should not be assumed that the methods, techniques, or indicators presented in these products will be profitable or that they will not result in losses. Past results of any individual trader or trading system published by Company are not indicative of future returns by that trader or system, and are not indicative of future returns which be realized by you. In addition, the indicators, strategies, columns, articles and all other features of Company's products (collectively, the "Information") are provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Examples presented on Company's website are for educational purposes only. Such set-ups are not solicitations of any order to buy or sell. Accordingly, you should not rely solely on the Information in making any investment. Rather, you should use the Information only as a starting point for doing additional independent research in order to allow you to form your own opinion regarding investments. You should always check with your licensed financial advisor and tax advisor to determine the suitability of any investment.
HYPOTHETICAL OR SIMULATED PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE CERTAIN INHERENT LIMITATIONS. UNLIKE AN ACTUAL PERFORMANCE RECORD, SIMULATED RESULTS DO NOT REPRESENT ACTUAL TRADING AND MAY NOT BE IMPACTED BY BROKERAGE AND OTHER SLIPPAGE FEES. ALSO, SINCE THE TRADES HAVE NOT ACTUALLY BEEN EXECUTED, THE RESULTS MAY HAVE UNDER- OR OVER-COMPENSATED FOR THE IMPACT, IF ANY, OF CERTAIN MARKET FACTORS, SUCH AS LACK OF LIQUIDITY. SIMULATED TRADING PROGRAMS IN GENERAL ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCOUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFITS OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN.
The Connors Group, Inc.
15260 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 2200
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
© Copyright 2009 The Connors Group, Inc.
