Issue Date: January 30, 2005
Shop locally
THE WEB, while still connecting us to the farthest corners of the world, is becoming a cozier place now that a slew of new sites steer you back to your own 'hood to shop.
Use the Net to find bargains near you.
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"EBay is great, but many aspects of our lives aren't global," says Jim Buckmaster, CEO of Craigslist.org, the granddaddy of localized sites. "If you want to buy a sofa, you usually don't want one 5,000 miles away."
Some sites help you set up person-to-person sales. Some tell prices and availability at nearby chains. And others detail boutique bargains in major cities.
Here's the scoop:
LiveDeal.com. Set up by ZIP code, this site sells almost anything (even hermit crabs) person to person. Bottom line: It's a more personal eBay, without the posting fees.
Cairo.com. Find everything from apparel to pets. Just type in your ZIP code and desired item to find specials at the nearest branch of up to 30 major chains, including Home Depot, J.C. Penney and Safeway. Bottom line: Big-chain bargains abound.
ShopLocal.com. The name is misleading; this site's staples are national chains like Target, RadioShack and Kohl's. Bottom line: Know what you seek, because listings aren't always logical (Pierre Cardin fragrance at Walgreens is listed under "Appliances").
Luckymag.com. Fashionistas will love being able to scout deals at tucked-away clothing, cosmetic and décor boutiques in 18 major cities, from Miami to Seattle (under "Local City Guides"). Bottom line: As with the magazine, youth rules.
-- Michele Meyer
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