Confession 9.0

I have gone temporarily mental.

Me. Internet shopping. Bleary eyed. Bizrate. Amazon. Ebay. Which is the better price? AHHHHHHH!!!!!

I took a moritorium from internet shopping last year. I did the whole Black Friday thing for the first time, did all my shopping in person.... While that is fun, I have to admit I like finding the deals on the net. Free shipping, not having to worry about having the kids with me. Take last night for example. John and I were at Target, and I happened to see that the toy that Emma wants the most, the Barbie "Jam with Me" guitar (which Justin is going to despise, since, as a "real rocker", he thinks all other guitar things and people are mostly "posers" - LOL ) was the cheapest I have seen it yet. I snagged one, tried to hide it under the cart, but no - little Miss Eagle Eyes saw it. LOL Had to lie to my daughter that it was actually a piece of paper with the picture on it, and pawn it off to my husband to go ahead and buy it and put it in the car.

Now, I do have to be careful with Ebay. The boys like to get on Ebay and check out stuff. I've gotten Brandon a couple of things on Ebay already. I get rid of them as soon as I have left feedback. And I am sending almost all of the stuff I order to work instead of home. I wonder how tired the receptionist is going to be of getting my packages? LOL

Speaking of Ebay, I've already had a mishap. I ordered one of those dual cereal dispensers for a sister in law, and I didn't pay close enough attention to the little words "LIKE NEW". I can't give her something used! So I had to go ahead and keep that one for myself (the kids think it's cool, but I'm like "meh") and buy her a new one. I just went ahead and got it from Penneys, who had free shipping if you buy over $25. A good deal, since most other places, it's $75 or $100 for the free shipping.

Amazon has always been my friend. Always. But that is the one I go most nuts on. This year I have decided to give my mother in laws (divorced parents, not two husbands) a little smorgesborg of fancy soaps. I spend two hours, maybe more, trying to find perfect soaps that ALSO add up to the requisite amount for free shipping. I was swaying in my seat from exhaustion, but didn't give up until I had it perfect. LOL

I did Overstock for the first time this year. Overstock has a lot of great clothes, but I just can't make myself pay $60 for a Versace t-shirt, even if it is 85% off. LOL But they did have the very best price on Justin's most wanted gift, the Nirvana box set. And only $1 shipping. Natch.

So if you are going to do internet shopping, look for the free shipping, look for clearance, make it worth it. But it is a lot of work. Probably easier to just go to the store. But with four kids, and one hellion especially, it is damn near impossible for me. My idea of heaven is an hour and a half in Kohl's all by myself so that I can dig through clearance at my hearts' content. LOL

So until Christmas is done and the gifts have all been bought, I am going to be the relentless huntress, out for the best deal, looking for the site that is willing to do the most for me. As long as it isn't owned by a Walton. LOL