How to Get Electronic Gadgets for Less

By Michelle Hainer

Like a lot of people who are on the market for a big-ticket item like a new HDTV, digital camera or smartphone, John Calcaterra is not a spur-of-the-moment shopper. Before he takes the plunge, he always hits the Net first to save research time -- and money.

"It's so easy to research products online these days," says Calcaterra, a tech-savvy real estate specialist in Manhattan. "You can read reviews from other users, see what's out there, and find the best price. It just makes sense to know what you're buying." 

Case in point: Last October, when Calcaterra was in the market for an LCD flat-panel television, he was able to save nearly $200 on his purchase by using the web. Here's how he did it: When he found out that a reputable consumer electronics store in town was willing to match any competitor's advertised price, Calcaterra scoured the Internet for a lower price. Bingo! He located a web site selling the TV he wanted at a discount. He showed the lower price to the brick-and-mortar store manager, and got the TV for less. 

Here's how you can also use the web to research pricey gadgets before you buy -- and some cost-saving steps to take before handing over your credit card:

Step No. 1: Check out product review sites If you're in the market for a digital camera, the first thing you might discover is that there are many models available at dramatically different prices. Before you buy online (or offline) take the time to read product reviews. For starters, check out CNET's Reviews section for an overview of the most popular gadgets -- from camcorders to portable MP3 players to GPS systems for your car. CNET editors test hundreds of products, and provide both written and video reviews for all of them. The video demonstrations are particularly useful because you can see the product function and learn how to use it. Editors make their recommendations based on the pros and cons of each product and rate them on a scale of one to 10.

Another reputable review source is Consumer Reports. For $4.95, you can access ConumerReports for 30 days to search its past recommendations or to compare the quality and features of electronics by category and price.

If you're looking for a high-end gadget, you can hit up review sites that specialize in that particular gadget. For example, Digital Photography Review is the place to go for camera reviews.

Or, if you want to find environmentally-friendly products, GreenElectronics ranks consumer electronics by how "green" they are.

Step No. 2: Consider what other consumer buyers have to say Before you decide which gadget to buy, also check out sites like View Points or Epinions where real consumers give their honest opinions about products they've purchased. CNET also allows consumers to submit their own reviews so you can find out first hand whether other people love (or hate) the gadget you're considering. "It's one thing to have a company tell you why you need their product, but sometimes you just need another person's perspective, especially if you're not the most tech savvy," says Eva Yusa, a blogger for shopLocal, a price comparison site.

Step No. 3: Look for price breaks Once you've settled on a gadget model, it pays to search beyond review sites for discounts and deals. In addition to CNET and Consumer Reports, Best Web Buys, PriceGrabber and mySimon offer price comparisons on a variety of products. You can also save on online purchases by using these sites to compare shipping rates (or to see who offers free shipping). Another way to track down free shipping offers is to visit web sites that keep track of them. Sites like currentcodes, COUPON CABIN, Fat Wallet and Coupon Se7en are just a few of many that provide "coupon codes" that you can use at the point of purchase to earn free shipping.

Buying refurbished electronics online can mean nice price cuts as well, says Dan de Grandpre, founder and editor-in-chief of dealnews, which compiles some of the best online sales, discounts and coupon codes. Sites such as Tiger Direct sell refurbished consumer electronics that are used, returned or previously opened. In some cases, the products are refurbished by the manufacturer, while other times, a third-party company repairs or repackages gadgets for resale at a discount. Either way, the reductions can be considerable: "You can get an iPod shuffle for $20 off the list price, which is a pretty good savings on an item that costs $80," says de Grandpre.

When it comes to a service protection, some refurbished products come with a manufacturer's warranty and some do not. So check the product maker's web site first for good deals on refurbished products that might come with an optional warranty. For example, Apple offers extended warranties on its refurbished computers, laptops and iPods.

After getting such a great deal on his television, Calcaterra can use the money he saved to invest in a new computer hard drive. But he's not rushing into making this purchase until he does some research online. "I want to make sure I get the best price possible," he says.