Social Shopping

Last month, we were greeted once again by the annual year-end shopping frenzy and the almost required news stories about shoppers, shopping and shopping tips. One thing you might have heard a lot of buzz about is Groupon and similar social shopping sites. Some of these sites offer just the basics, like product and store reviews, while others act as a bargaining space where huge discounts can be had, provided enough people jump on board the same offer. Here are a few of these sites, starting with a basic one and moving to more complex options.

Kaboodle. Think Facebook for the savvy shopper. Visitors to the site can browse or join for free and set-up their own profile. If you choose to just browse, there is plenty of information on the site, everything from store and product reviews to sale alerts, a wish list organizer, and bulletin boards where shoppers discuss their latest deals and hot buys. Another interesting features include lists of all kinds, so you can find the latest celebrity style or just get a good suggestion on what to buy your nephew for his birthday. One of my recent favorites was a list that entertained, “Ridiculous, but somehow you NEED it,” which featured such interesting items as Hello Kitty motor oil and a fruit-powered clock. The site really thrives on its registered users, who can set-up a profile and are the ones responsible for providing a lot of the lists and reviews on the site.

Yelp*. This site lets users focus on local establishments and is not limited to shopping, as it includes reviews of all kinds of local services such as restaurants and doctors. The site is still in the growth stages, so some of the reviews are limited but you get a comprehensive list of local businesses and information. In addition to the reviews and business listings, you can find information about local events and check out the local bulletin boards to see what others are talking about in the area. One really nice feature is the information is linked to Google Maps, so you can see the business plotted on a map or just click to get directions. Don’t forget the site also offers apps for your phone, so you can log on to the mobile site and get the same great information. Like Kaboodle, Yelp* users can sign up for a free account to help track favorites and contribute reviews.

Groupon. Perhaps the most sophisticated of the shopping sites and the one getting the most buzz in the media, this site lets you sign up to receive daily deals for local and national retailers. The trick is, you have to reserve the deal and you only get it if a certain number of people sign up for the same deal. For example, a recent offer for $75 off a $105 kick boxing class only applied if 10 people signed up. Other deals may require 100 or 1000 for a free cup of coffee. Once enough people sign-up, you typically get a printable voucher to take to the retailer to get your discount. Be careful to check out the fine print on the deals, as some require you to meet purchase requirements. As for working with the system, it does require you to submit your e-mail address and name to create a free account. Once signed-up, you can then exchange deals with friends, connect to Facebook, or use the mobile app to sign up for deals and carry your discount vouchers.

- Laura N.