3 More Online Shopping Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)

Online shopping is fun and can save you some money, but there are still challenges for even the savviest of shoppers. When I started writing the post "3 Online Shopping Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them), I had planned on making it 6 Online Shopping Pitfalls, but once I got going, I realized that I had a lot more to say on the subject than I thought. So, here is my "But wait...there's more..." moment.

It is no secret that I love online shopping and I probably buy more things online than I do from brick and mortar stores. In fact, my friends tease me and say that I would buy groceries online and have them shipped to me if I could. I laugh, of course, but what I don't tell them is that if I could, I would. Trust me, I've checked.

So, let me share some more of my online shopping tips to help make your holiday shopping a little easier. Here are 3 More Online Shopping Pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

• Take a good look at the return policy – Return policies vary tremendously from store to store. There are websites that offer free shipping both ways and who have liberal return policies and other sites that charge shipping and restocking fees for any returns. Recently, I purchased a couple of shirts from a well respected company's website. When I tried the shirts on, I realized that I should have ordered a size smaller. I checked the website to get information on their return policy and was amazed to find out that not only do they not pay for the return shipping, they also charge a $10 restocking fee for each item returned. I had purchased the shirts on sale for $15 each, so after paying for shipping to send the items back to them and covering the restocking fee I would end up with about $1.50 in credits that could be applied to purchasing the smaller sized shirts. But, just because a company has a tough return policy, doesn't mean they aren't a good place to do business. But, if you know the policy ahead of time then you can make sure that you only buy things from them that you are sure you won't need to return.
  
  
• Always read product reviews – One of the challenges of online shopping is the fact that you can't hold or touch the product before you buy it. You are in a position of having to chose a product based on a text description and a picture. Many times, when you receive the item, the color is different than you imagined or it doesn't fit the same on you as it did the model in the photo. While this may not be a problem most of the time, it is a good idea to read the customer reviews of the product before you buy it. Based on what other people had to say about their purchase can give you clues about what to expect. They will let you know if the product looks much different that the photo, if the sizes run big or small or if there are other issues with it.
  
  
• Price comparison – The internet makes it really easy to comparison shop and no matter what sort of item you are buying, it can save you a bundle. When you find the item you want to buy, do a quick Google shopping search to see what other companies are charging for the same item. Just copy the item name with all the make/model information and paste it into a search engine and you should get a list of other vendors who are selling the item along with the prices they are charging. It doesn't always pay to go with the cheapest website, especially if a company you know and trust to get it right is offering it at a slightly higher price. Be sure to factor in charges like shipping into your comparison. There are also website who have discount codes and perks like free shipping for certain companies, so be sure to search for those to see if there are any other ways to save.

Online shopping is a lot of fun, and the savings and ease is worth the time and effort of finding companies worthy of your business. Never forget that your business is valuable, so make sure that the companies you deal with deserve it.

Happy Shopping!

Are you looking for a job in the Philadelphia area? Be sure to visit PhillyJobs.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.

How To Do More Instead of Just Buying More This Holiday - Part 2

Yesterday, I was talking about why spending tons of money on holiday gifts is just a trap that doesn't actually increase happiness and joy, but rather causes stress, debt and disappointment. But, how can you still celebrate the holidays without running into these problems? If you just decide not to give gifts, doesn't everyone feel somehow cheated or left out? Wouldn't the lack of gifts lessen the happiness and joy? Possibly. But, I am in no way suggesting that you don't give gifts this year.

What I am saying is that there is a difference between creating memories that last and giving in to the machine of commercialism and thinking that all we need to do is buy more stuff. A good life comes from doing things, not just having or buying things. Think back to your previous holiday experiences, and you will see that it is true. We get more joy from life experiences than we do from possessions. Wonderful memories don't expire, they don't break after a week, they don't have to be returned and don't take batteries. They aren't likely to lead to disappointment or regret in the same way that material good do. Experiences tend to be shared, recalled fondly and talked about over and over.

So, here are some gifts that can help you create memories rather than creating debt:

• Take your holiday savings and use it for a family vacation – Spending time with your family is what the holiday is all about, so rather than spending hundreds of dollars on each person, why not take a vacation together. There are many places online where you can get weekly rental information for houses and apartments in many cities and even other countries. Getting your whole family together to chip in to spend a week in Tuscany or on a Balinese beach or even somewhere closer to home, would be a great way to create memories and build family togetherness.
  
  
• Choose a family project, and get everyone to give gifts for the project – For example, maybe you have always wanted to turn your family room into a home theater room, or you have been wanting to build a deck for summer cookouts. Get everyone in the family to agree to the project, and give gifts that will help complete the goal. Building and doing things together can help families bond and will create something that will last.
  
  
• Draw names – If you have a large, extended family that gets together each year, consider drawing names and just buying one well thought out gift for one person.
  
  
• Shop together – You can't avoid shopping altogether, so when you go shopping, make it an adventure. Try not to get caught up in the crowds and frenzy, take your time and try to look for ways to have fun with your loved ones while you shop. Sometime, when shopping for presents, my daughter and I will stop for a cup of hot chocolate and admire the decorations. Making memories while you shop will give you more joy than fighting crowds and hurrying to get to the next sale.

Use your imagination and come up with the ways that work best for your family. Whatever you decide to do, just keep in mind that doing more always better than having more. What sort of satisfaction is there when you drive yourself crazy looking for the best deals, spend more than you can afford and end up disappointed and stressed in the end. Don't let yourself fall into the trap. And have a wonderful holiday filled with joy and love.

Are you looking for a job in Philadelphia? Be sure to visit PhillyJobs.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.

Flash Opera Surprises Shoppers

It’s a scene straight out of many Christmas movies. Busy customers checking off wish lists as they shop at the elegantly decorated Macy’s Department Store. The presence of the impossibly tall tree bespangled in brilliant blue lights presides from the balcony over the holiday traffic that has hit the sales floor below. Excitement is everywhere as people try on clothing, get a make-over, or snack on cider cookies with their children. Associates attend to everyone’s needs as the Wanamaker Organ pipes Christmas music over the dapper displays.

This particular store happens to be the Macy’s at Center City and on this particular Saturday it was right around lunch time when the organ began to play a little louder. Some people didn’t notice when the volume increased on the four-handed arrangement played by Peter Conte and Fred Haas. Some acted like they didn’t notice but customers were quickly aware something special was going on when 650 vocalists began singing the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah.

Unbeknownst to customers and many Macy employees, 28 groups from the Philadelphia region had secretly gathered a short time before at the old Wanamaker Building's Greek Hall. Organized by the Opera Company of Philadelphia they practiced the piece before slipping in with the public and performing flash mob style in a “random act of culture”.

The Opera Company posted a video of the happening on You Tube where it has received hundreds of thousands of hits and is accompanied by suggestions for dozens of multiple perspectives shot by participants and people in the crowd. This was the second event the company has staged, the first being a rendition of "Brindisi" from La Traviata at the Reading Terminal Market in April. "This isn't about audience development per se, it isn't about harnessing new technology per se – they are collateral benefits," said Opera Company of Philadelphia executive director David B. Devan. "What is at the heart of this is bringing joy into people's lives with the widest platform possible."

With a little planning and a $30,000 grant from the Knight Foundation’s Random Acts of Culture Program, there will be more fine art mobs popping up in the Philadelphia area between now and June. The details are under wraps but if you’re out and about when it happens next, feel free to sing along.

Ready to supercharge your job search? Visit PhillyJobs.com.

By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a multimedia developer, business owner and work-from-home mom.

Shop smarter for Scrubs

How many sets of scrubs do you own? If you’re just starting out in the health care field, likely you have a few pairs that you wore to school. The longer you’ve been in and the more liberally the dress code’s been enforced, the larger the uniform section in your closet.

If this is the first job you’ve had you’ll want to start out with 2 sets ready to go and the money saved to purchase another one when you land your job. Different offices may require different kinds of scrubs. A pediatrician may feel that a conglomeration of colorful cartoon character clad employees adds an edge when dealing with children.

However the optometrist might prefer his staff to stick to navy blue to keep it professional. No point in shelling out the extra cash for a top with your favorite toon until you know you’ll actually be able to wear it to work. Nobody there would be able to see who it was anyway. Licensed character designs are often more expensive options over solids in general. Wait until you’ve gotten a pay check or two before you treat yourself.

If you find out you’ll be limited to one or two hues to choose from you won’t have wasted any money; sometimes the office might buy scrubs in bulk and offer you a discount. In larger health care settings there is the possibility of a service which provides uniforms and launders them for the company.

Likely you’ll be buying your own and you can spend a little or a lot depending on how you buy them. Here are some suggestions:

Nothing’s cheaper than free

• Check out the free section on Craigslist




• Ask someone who has worked in healthcare for hand me downs




• Sew your own from a set of sheets

Sniff out a bargain

• Thrift stores often have a selection of used scrubs, watch for stains or pilling and you can find some nice deals



• Check out church bazaars too, you’re more likely to find a selection there than running to different yard sales



• Shop at the close out stores, places like Big Lots or Ollie’s Bargain Outlet have brand new threads that are closer to second hand prices

Go in together

• Organize a swap meet where other healthcare workers can trade uniforms, any leftovers can be donated



• Talk to your co workers about buying scrubs in bulk be the one to organize it in your office and your new boss might notice the initiative you’re taking.
  

Are you looking for a job in Health Care? Take a look at HealthCareJobSite.

By Heather Fairchild