How to Comparison Shop for iPods Online

By eHow Electronics Editor

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Apple’s iPod is the MP3 player to have. Just about anywhere you look, there is someone grooving to music, catching up on their reading with an audio book or watching the latest episode of the top-rated TV show on an iPod. iPod’s are hip. They are also expensive. When you are looking to purchase an iPod online, it’s a smart idea to comparison shop.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Internet Access

Step1

Know which model of the iPod you are looking for. Currently Apple makes the 30 GB iPod video, the 60 GB iPod video, the 2 GB iPod nano, the 4 GB iPod nano and the 1 GB iPod shuffle.

Step2

Visit Apple’s Web site if you need more information on the various iPods before choosing the one you want to shop for.

Step3

Open up your preferred search engine and type in the name of the iPod you are searching for.

Step4

Visit several Web sites and auction sites to see what their prices are for the iPod you want as well as their shipping and handling charges. The entire price including shipping and handling should be what you are comparing.

Step5

Visit a few product comparison sites in addition to the Web sites of individual stores and auction sites. Product comparison sites will compare the prices at several different Web sites including the shipping and handling to your zip code.

Step6

Understand the return policy of the Web site or auction site before making a decision. A good deal is not a good deal if you can’t make a return if necessary.

Step7

Make a decision based on the total price of the iPod and the store’s return policy. Place your order.

Tips & Warnings

Try shopping on auction sites for older models of the iPod such as the iPod mini or limited edition iPods such as the Harry Potter iPod.
Check out an auction seller’s feedback before placing a bid for an iPod or any product.
Make sure that when you are giving personal information and financial information on a Web site that the site is using secure technology to encrypt your credit card information and other sensitive information. If the page that asks for your credit card information starts with “https:” instead of “http:”, it is a secure site.
Another way to make sure a site is secure is to look for an icon of a lock on the status bar if you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer or an icon of a locked padlock at the bottom of your screen if you are using Netscape Navigator.
Do not place an order on an unsecured Web site. Your credit card information could be stolen.
Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t seem right about a Web site, then you’re better of spending a few extra dollars at a Web site you are comfortable with.