press release

• This year’s must-have gifts selling online at half High Street prices
• Comparison sites offer safest way to bag bargains

CHRISTMAS shoppers can save a fortune by ordering gifts online, reckons personal finance data comparison site Moneynet.co.uk.

Going online for gifts this festive season is a guaranteed way of keeping costs down – but buyers will need to get a move on, cautions Moneynet.co.uk chief executive Richard Brown.

Internet shopping saves two things most people don’t have much of these days – time and money – so why battle it out with the crowds and pay the asking price when you can get more choice for less money in the comfort of your own home,” he adds.

Some must-have gifts this year can be found on the internet for half the High Street price tag. Genuine Ugg boots, for example, are 50 per cent cheaper online than in the shops and flat screen LCD TVs and games such as Halo 3 – top of his wish list this year - are better sourced online, along with the latest music and movie releases.

Online shoppers need to follow a few simple rules…..

“Whilst you’re unlikely to get mugged at your computer in the traditional sense you could be vulnerable to online fraud if you don’t take a few basic precautions,” says Brown.

“Using a price comparison site such as Kelkoo, Pricerunner or Shopping.com allows surfing shoppers to compare prices from a huge range of suppliers to get what they want at the lowest possible price.

“Only shop on sites you know and can trust,” says Brown. “Reputable comparison sites vet the websites they are directing you to so you should be safe, although there is no absolute guarantee. Before entering your credit card details, check you are in a secure area by looking for the secure padlock icon or https prefix on the web address.

Using a credit card rather than a debit card gives extra protection. If the purchase price is for £100 or more it’s possible to claim from the card provider should anything go wrong.

“Crucially, make sure that your order will arrive in time for Christmas,” says Brown. “It’s useful to check what happens if the goods don’t arrive on time but simply getting a refund is little compensation for the grief you’ll get if your children don’t get their long awaited presents.”

• Only give card details if the site displays the secure padlock icon
• Print and keep copies of receipts and order numbers until the goods have arrived
• Use a credit card for purchases over £100 for extra protection against fraud
• Does the site give an address and landline contact phone number? If not, steer clear
• Check delivery dates and be sure the item is in stock – some sites may take payment for goods that are not currently available for dispatch

The last posting date for first class deliveries within the UK is 20 December but it’s advisable not to leave it to the very last minute. For gifts coming from the USA, Australia or Eastern Europe it’s best to place orders before 7 December to be in with the best chance to them arriving in time. The cut off date for Western Europe is 13 December.

Consider delivery costs – some sites include the delivery cost with the price but not all, so make sure you know whether or not it’s included. Delivery costs are also usually cheaper - and sometimes free - the more goods you buy so make sure you order everything in one go to get the best deal.

Cashback is a welcome stocking filler offered by some sites, such as rpoints.com and quidco.com, which reward shoppers with points or cashback for making purchases via their sites.

Alternatively, there are various cashback credit cards such as Amex Platinum Moneyback Card which gives 5 per cent cashback on the first £4,000 spend in the first three months and up to 1.5 per cent thereafter, dependent on annual spend. Capital One Cashback World Mastercard gives 4 per cent cashback in the first three months with no spend limit and 1 per cent thereafter.

But for those who can’t say no to the glitter of the shop windows and the sound of a brass band playing carols, there’s still a way of taking advantage of online savings.

“If you’re one of the still large but diminishing number of shoppers who prefer to fight through the crowds and actually touch and feel what they’re buying, don’t forget the internet altogether,” says Brown.

“Quite a few shops, in particular the larger chains and department stores, operate a price match policy which means they will match internet prices if pushed. The thing to do is to find the best price online and go armed with a print-out – you’ve nothing to lose by asking.”

* BBA/BSA data, April 2007