Five ways to pay less online

Online shoppers intent on getting the lowest price may want to make themselves comfortable: Shopping around is easier than ever, but it still takes some patience — and a visit to more than a few sites.

Price-comparison sites have long been consumers’ go-to resource for checking prices online, and related apps have made it easy for pavement pounders to perform a quick buy-or-not calculation while in stores. Some 55% of online shoppers always check for competitive prices before buying, according to Forrester Research. And when shoppers are buying a big-ticket item or something that has a reputation for variable pricing, they’re even more apt to compare, according to Sucharita Mulpuru, an analyst with Forrester Research. “It’s a way to arm yourself with the most data possible,” she says.
Pronto Pronto.com wins plaudits for enabling users to refine product searches by category to weed out unwanted items.
But experts say price-comparison engines have slowly become less useful for bargain hunters. Google (GOOG) recently redesigned its Google Shopping engine to include listings only from companies that pay to be included. On the plus side, that’s likely to weed out suspect vendors and outdated prices. But it also means small businesses are less likely to get a mention, says Jack Vonder Heide, chief executive of the research group Technology Briefing Centers. Nor will they see listings from Amazon — the retail giant (AMZN) has removed its Google Shopping listings.

A Google spokeswoman says the changes are about providing more accurate results for shoppers. “We truly believe that when merchants have a financial stake in the shopping experience, they will send us better product data,” she says. And Google isn’t alone. Other engines may also stick to paid listings, says Vonder Heide, or only include major retailers.

Then there’s the dynamic-pricing problem. Web retailers like Amazon and Best Buy (BBY) have begun changing their prices multiple times throughout the course of the day. Many of the price-comparison sites, however, update their own records just once a day, so the prices they’re showing you are wrong, says Edgar Dworsky, founder of ConsumerWorld.org. “Yesterday’s price won’t do you any good,” he says.

Shoppers’ best bet is to have not just one but several price-comparison sites bookmarked, experts say. Ideally, that results in a wider selection of retailers and a more complete view of sales and price variations, Mulpuru says.

Here are five that the experts say are worth bookmarking:

Bing Shopping: If you’re browsing models before hunting down the best prices, Bing offers a “compare” feature and virtual shopping lists that can be helpful in making a decision, says Michelle Madhok, chief executive of shopping site SheFinds.com. Price-check results include a price history over six months, plus reviews and specs on a product when applicable. But there’s no rating system for merchant reliability, and the listings aren’t always accurate. A hunt for the novel “Gone Girl,” brought up a low price, but it was from an expired auction, while a search for the Canon PowerShot D20 delivered a lowest listing of $247, but clicking on the link led to a U.K.-based site that actually wanted 247 pounds, or $397. A Bing spokeswoman says the Microsoft (MSFT) unit’s site team approves merchants before adding the free product listings and offers guidelines to merchants to make listings more accurate.

Decide: One of the better sites at capturing price fluctuations, Decide.com compares price data against factors like a new model’s launch date to help shoppers decide whether to buy or wait, says Mulpuru. Ratings also point out when consumers can “do better” — that is, when there are comparable items with more favorable reviews and similar pricing. There’s no way to sort listings by best total price with tax and shipping, however, so it can take time to review. Users can’t search for everything, either. Decide.com currently covers a few dozen items within broader categories such as electronics and appliances. A spokesman says the site, which debuted last year, continues to add new categories and capabilities.

Google Shopping: Even with the changes, it’s still a more-than-worthy engine, says Vonder Heide. “You’re going to have the safest buying experience,” he says. The recent redesign also included larger images with search listings, so it’s easier to see at a glance if those are say, the model of Ray Ban sunglasses you want. Listings show which local stores list an item in stock, as well as those that accept Google Wallet mobile payments. Web options often include eBay (EBAY) stores and current auction listings (used condition noted). But of course, with the shift to only paid listings, shoppers won’t see as wide a selection of businesses as in the past, he says. A Google spokeswoman says the redesign will still list products by relevancy, regardless of what advertisers pay to be listed. Nonpaying merchants will also continue to be included in the listings for a short time, she says.

PriceGrabber: A price history tracks the average and lowest prices over time, and shoppers can also set price alerts to get an email when the item drops below a set dollar amount. Listings include big retailers as well as eBay sales and smaller specialty stores. Results initially separate merchants into “featured sellers” (those that paid) and “more sellers” (that didn’t), but it takes just one click to sort by total price and mix the two together into one list. A spokesman says that functionality makes it clear for consumers that some retailers have paid to be featured, without compromising their ability to find the best deal. But finding some good deals requires a look through the whole list — on a Whirlpool dishwasher, one of the lowest prices got pushed to the bottom of the page because shipping and tax couldn’t be calculated. Those instances are rare, and usually stem from incomplete data passed from a retailer, says a spokesman.

Pronto.com: Users can refine product searches by category to weed out unwanted items, like the accessories for a particular smartphone instead of the handset itself, says Madhok. Search results also allow winnowing by category-specific attributes like the color of a digital camera, or liquid versus cream foundation in makeup. There’s a page of details on each merchant, including which credit cards they accept and where they charge sales tax, but there are no reliability ratings. Most listings do not note shipping price, either, except when it’s free. Pronto.com did not respond to requests for comment.

Alex Karras, former NFL lineman, actor, dies at 77

DETROIT (AP) -- Alex Karras, the rugged lineman who anchored the Detroit Lions' defense in the 1960s, then went on to an acting career in which he starred in the sitcom ''Webster'' and famously punched a horse in the 1974 comedy ''Blazing Saddles,'' died Wednesday. He was 77.

Karras, who had recently suffered kidney failure, died at home in Los Angeles surrounded by family members, said Craig Mitnick, Karras' attorney.

Diagnosed with dementia, Karras in April joined the more than 3,500 former NFL players suing the league for not protecting them better from head injuries, immediately becoming one of the best-known names in the legal fight.

Detroit drafted Karras with the 10th overall pick in 1958 out of Iowa and he was a four-time All-Pro defensive tackle over 12 seasons with the franchise.

He was a terror on the field, using a variety of moves to push around opposing linemen and get into the backfield. His Lions handed the powerful 1962 Green Bay Packers their only defeat that season, a 26-14 upset on Thanksgiving during which they harassed quarterback Bart Starr constantly.

Packers guard Jerry Kramer wrote in his diary of the 1967 season about his trepidation over having to play Karras.

''I'm thinking about him every minute,'' Kramer wrote.

For all his prowess on the field, Karras may have gained more fame when he turned to acting in the movies and on television.

Playing a not-so-bright bruiser in Mel Brooks' ''Blazing Saddles,'' he not only slugged a horse but also delivered the classic line: ''Mongo only pawn in game of life.''

Several years before that, Karras had already become a bit of a celebrity through George Plimpton's behind-the-scenes book about what it was like to be an NFL player in the Motor City, ''Paper Lion: Confessions of a Second-string Quarterback.''

That led to Karras playing himself in the successful movie adaption, and it opened doors for Karras to be an analyst alongside Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford on ''Monday Night Football.''

In the 1980s, he played a sheriff in the comedy ''Porky's'' and became a hit on the small screen as Emmanuel Lewis' adoptive father, George Papadapolis, in the sitcom ''Webster.''

Don't Love Money

1 TIMOTHY 6:10 ESV
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is
through this craving that some have wandered away from the
faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Many think the Bible says money is evil but it does not. What
it actually says is the love of money causes evil. The meaning
is that when people love money they will do evil things to
obtain it.

While not all evil is caused by the love of money (rape is an
example), there are many different kinds of evil that have the
love of money as their true motivation.

Money has deceived many. They think it will bring them
happiness, but it disappoints.

Money cannot buy happiness or real love. Money will never love
you back.

Can you be a lover of money and also be a continual giver? No!
Those who love money are not willing to part with it. Although
they may part with some for the purpose of gaining more money,
they will never focus on giving, for they are interested in
getting, not giving to others.
As for me, I will not be deceived by money, loving it and
trusting it, instead of God.