Making An E-List

The busy holiday season can be quite frustrating for people trying to find the right gifts. Fortunately, because of today’s advanced interactive communications, a shopping trip can be right at our fingertips. Online shopping has become the solution for those who have minimal time, lack original ideas or are looking for exceptional deals, not to mention those who are just looking for a more convenient way to get the job done.

Another significant advantage to online shopping is the built-in ability to ship packages anywhere. If your holiday plans involve long-distance traveling, allowing the vendor to handle getting the packages to their proper destination is, alone, a compelling incentive.

Studies show that online holiday shopping has increased by about 20 to 30 percent each of the last 10 years. This year in the United States, more than $30 billion worth of merchandise will be purchased online in the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Getting started is as easy as visiting the Web site of your favorite store and searching for a specific item. Sites such as www.shopping.com allow quick price comparisons. If you don’t know where to begin, search terms as simple as “clever gift ideas” can certainly get the ball rolling. For a really cool step-by-step guide to the perfect gift, check out www.findgift.com.

Many reasons for shopping online during the holiday season also apply to buying your next piece of equipment for your shop. When you are able to refocus your attention from the holidays to your business, research the products or services you need online. Tools such as the Supplier Directory, Bar Feed Selector and Equipment Review, along with extensive editorial coverage, make www.productionmachining.com a one-stop resource for locating the right companies and products for your high-volume precision machining needs. And what’s really nice about virtual shopping is that no salesmen will call!