Issue date: Dec 5, 1999

National Debate: Online shopping is too hot for some

Best of the Web
Holiday gift bargains

Hunting for last-minute holiday gifts that won't kill your budget? Sit back, relax and fire up your Web browser.

eBay (ebay.com): The granddaddy of Web auction sites, where you can bid on antiques, computers, movies, dolls, jewelry, electronic equipment, Beanie Babies, sports memorabilia and just about anything else imaginable.

SaleSeeker (saleseeker.com): Type in your ZIP code, choose a product category, and SaleSeeker returns a list of sale items available through local stores, online stores and catalogs. More than two dozen product categories are covered.

mySimon (mysimon.com): Save big bucks with this site, which compares prices for computers, beauty products, consumer electronics, toys, kitchen appliances, sports equipment and other goods from more than 1,000 Internet retailers.

BottomDollar (bottomdollar.com): Similar to mySimon, BottomDollar is a shopping site that compares prices across e-tailers for music, perfume, baby products, video games and more.

Best Book Buys (bestbookbuys.com): Compare the price of a book -- including shipping charges -- at more than two dozen Internet bookstores. Search by author, title, keyword or ISBN.

MoviePriceGuide.com (moviepriceguide.com): News about bargains and special offers on DVDs and videotapes at Internet stores such as Amazon.com, Buy.com, Reel.com and DVD Express.

bluefly (bluefly.com): Outlet- mall prices on designer clothes for men, women, teens and kids, plus housewares and gifts.

Suzi Coupon (suzicoupon.com): Clickable coupons save you money at hundreds of Internet retailers. -- Bruce Maxwell