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For books, music, movies and video games, AMAZON.COM always leaps to mind. But there are alternatives. DVDPLANET.COM stocks 3.5 million movies at cut-rate prices (Sexy Beast on DVD, for example, was $2 less than at Amazon). You'll also find the Criterion Collection of films by Fellini, Hitchcock and others. For music, visit DUSTYGROOVE.COM, a site fanatically devoted to soul, funk and jazz with a big Brazilian selection too. Got gamers on your list? EBGAMES.COM neatly organizes its vast inventory by platform (PC, X box, Game Boy, GameCube, PlayStation2) and has hundreds of pre-owned games for older systems like Sega Genesis. For the traditionalist, AREYOUGAME.COM sells all the low-tech classics, including 43 versions of Monopoly. For MP3 players and other electronics, go to BUY.COM, an online-only mall that's easy to search, or BESTBUY.COM, which lets you order online and pick up at the store--great if you can't wait for delivery. RITZCAMERA.COM has something for every shutterbug, while CRUTCHFIELD.COM is great for DVD players and other home-theater equipment. And don't overlook WALMART.COM. It's teeming with DVDs and CDs, and by visiting this mammoth retailer online, you're less likely to get lost in the aisles.
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Do your homework. Without the benefit of the touch-and-feel experience, online shoppers must be that much more diligent about product research. Read what other consumers are saying about their PDAs, golf clubs, toasters and everything else at EPINIONS.COM. For tech items, stick with CNET.COM. There's also plenty of free, thoughtful advice at CONSUMERREVIEW.COM. At CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG, some content is free--including a guide to online shopping, posted under Consumer Advice. Other reports on specific products (DVD players, vacuum cleaners) require a paid subscription ($24 a year or $3.95 a month).
FOOD & DRINK
You can't go wrong with perfect pears from HARRYANDDAVID.COM, but why not try something more exotic? IGOURMET.COM has dozens of gift baskets (Spanish Fiesta, Markets of Provence), even an oyster-of-the-month club. ETHNICGROCER.COM ships gourmet dinner kits; there's French, Greek, Indian and Thai. At COOKING.COM, gift ideas--from fondue pots to waffle irons--are grouped by price range. Click Gifts at DEANANDDELUCA.COM for beautifully presented (if pricey) delicacies, from a $48 set of olive oil and balsamic vinegar to the $1,000 "Ultimate" pile of goodies. Have a friend who likes tea the old-fashioned way? TEALUXE.COM has playfully packed samplers, each with a variety of loose-leaf teas plus a stainless-steel-mesh snap ball for easy brewing. For caffeine addicts, STARBUCKS.COM offers gift trays that pack cookies and candy with its house blend and other beans. GODIVA.COM has a special Holiday Collection; look under the Shop Online tab for preselected assortments packed in decorative tins. Or take the gimmicky route: send a digital photo to TRENDYCHOCOLATE.COM, and the company will print it using edible ink on a 14-oz. Belgian bar for $27.
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Shield yourself from spam. Most Web stores will ask you to register with a working e-mail address before you buy. Establish a secondary address at YAHOO.COM, LYCOS.COM or another free Web-based service, so that future sales alerts and other direct-marketing messages won't clog your primary In box.