Cyber Monday Tips: Finding the Best Online Deals

No more camping out for shopping deals this time—just clicking.

Cyber Monday is the Internet version of Black Friday, with retailers offering specials for a limited time in limited quantities. According to a survey by Shop.org, 106.9 million Americans expect to shop on Cyber Monday, up from 96.5 million last year.

Some companies, like Best Buy, got an early start with cyber specials for Sunday and Monday only. The electronics giant has specials on TVs, like a 32-inch flat screen marked down to $599 from $899.

Amazon.com has become the go-to site for many on the Monday after Black Friday because of its lightning deals—certain items that go on and off sale at varying times throughout the day. A rectangular bar lies beneath the sale items of the moment—an I Love You, Man DVD for nearly 70 percent off, for example—that tells shoppers what percentage of the limited quantity has been "claimed." A timer ticks down alongside the bar, showing how much time remains until the deal expires. Like Best Buy, Amazon.com got an early jump on Cyber Monday with deal offerings on Sunday.

Electronics and other goods retailer Target appeared to be taking a deep breath between its two-day Black Friday (and Saturday) sales by waiting until Monday to reveal its cyber deals.  There are digital cameras and camcorders between 33 and 50 percent off; women's puffer vests for half off; and dozens of books for 60 percent off.

Some of the sales offer only marginal discounts, like a kid's game, Totally Gross, that is only 5 percent off  and isn't eligible for the free shipping that is available for many other items.

Shoppers don't always have to wait for retailers like Target to reveal what's on sale.

Websites like Shop.org, which coined the Cyber Monday term five years ago, and FatWallet.com collate solid information and rumors about what companies will be offering on Monday.

Twitter can also be a good source for deals, with companies tipping off their followers about coming sales. Just do a search for the name of the retailer you are interested in or a general search for "Cyber Monday." Be forewarned that some of the cited deals not directly from the retailer may just be rumors. Also, search for particular businesses on Facebook, where they may have fan pages with special coupons and other tips.

While shopping online, be careful about purchasing items from unfamiliar businesses, especially those without a brick-and-mortar presence. Read the purchasing terms and use a credit card instead of a debit card, if possible. This way, if a purchased item doesn't show up, a dispute can be filed with the credit card company before any money leaves your checking account.

And even when using a credit card, be careful about where you enter your information. Pay attention to browser notices that the website may not be secure. Browsers offer different cues as to whether a site is secure, like lock symbols. Here's more from Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari.

Other tips:

• Even if an item is in your cart online, it may be gone by the time you pay. Some retailers will hold the item for you for a certain amount of time while it is in your cart. Others won't. So if there's something you want, put it in your cart and buy it right away then go back and shop for more.
• Pay attention to return policies. Some places with websites and in-person stores, like Best Buy, allow you to return to the store items purchased online. Others won't. Online-only retailers may charge extra shipping fees for returns, too.  Watch out for restocking fees and short return windows on certain products. Best Buy only allows computers and digital cameras to be returned within 14 days.
• It's much easier to click on a bunch of items online and buy them than lug them around the store. Online shopping can also make it easier to forget how much you're spending, so think carefully before you buy.