Pssst! So you want to buy something cheap?

I think I may have been a personal shopper in a former life. Friends and family seem strangely compelled to contact me when they are trying to find something. And I am certainly not complaining. I love the thrill of the hunt.

An oval glass coffee table with a brass/bronze Art Deco base? Sure. Chinese black vinegar? No problem. A driver for a no-name second-hand video card? Done. An artificial Christmas tree in August? No need to wait for Santa.

I’ve found that, with the internet, almost anything can be obtained these days. But you really don’t need me, you can do it too. Here are some of my tricks:

Google – My search engine of choice and the starting point in any internet quest. It also does well with numbers (see here for more information). For example, if you enter an area code, it will give the region covered. Searching a part number (printed in a microscopic font) lead to the identification of that second-hand video card which, in turn, lead to a source for the driver. And remember to use quotes around the search term if looking to exactly match a phrase.

Also at Google, is Froogle, their new shopping search site. It works pretty well for the more commonplace items (such as coffee tables), but falters when faced with the more odd-ball and specialty goods (such as paillete feuilletine).

A bit off-topic, but if you have a newer computer with plenty of RAM, disk space, CPU speed and a quality video card, be sure to check out Google Earth, their new mapping program that utilizes satellite images. A very cool way to find where you are going (or just to look at a satellite picture of your house).

craigslist – Want ads for the cool & hip. This site was started by a guy named Craig in the San Francisco area in 1995, but it now covers cities all across the country. It is a good place to look for cheap, used furniture and other miscellaneous items. Plus reading the personal ads can be quite entertaining. (Just an FYI – the term “420” is defined by Wikipedia as “a euphemism for cannabis and its associated culture” and goes to show you can learn something new everyday.)

Freecycle – Like craigslist, it is structured by region and city, but everything is free. And no item is too small or seemingly worthless to be listed. But there are some really good finds on Freecycle – we obtained a trundle bed frame to use as a base for a daybed RWT plans to build (once he is ready to again face his nemesis, the table saw).

Not only is Freecycle a good source for free stuff, but an excellent method of getting rid of your own junk. A friend put in an ad giving away the ivy that had taken over her yard and people came, happily dug it all up and toted it away.

[A side note – Around the Los Angeles area, anything that is placed out in the alley is scavenged, usually within an hour. Our Belmont Shore next-door neighbor put an executive-sized desk out and within 15 minutes a couple of guys were strapping it to the roof of a car that was shorter than the desk itself. I always threatened RWT that I was going to park his evil little Spitfire next to the garbage cans so someone would haul it away too. Good thing for him and his beloved Triumph that Freecycle did not yet exist!]

Amazon – Even if I don’t buy the item from Amazon itself, the reviews can be very helpful, especially when buying electronics or appliances.

Amazon is also a great source for used books. I just scored a pristine copy of Bruce Healey’s out-of-print and much-coveted Mastering the Art of French Pastry for $100 less than it usually costs. How? I saved the book to my “Wish List” and regularly checked on the “Used & New” price. I had to wait about six months for the well-priced copy I bought to turn up, but it was worth it.

And if you purchase something from one of Amazon’s third-party sellers using “Amazon Payments”, Amazon handles the transaction and the third-party seller does not have access to your credit card information. Plus, Amazon guarantees the item under their regular policy. It is a good way to purchase from a small-time seller with less risk.

eBay – Don’t forget this giant e-flea-market. Just be careful you are not being overcharged on the shipping fees and the final price is competitive (it is easy to get carried away with bidding). Also, be sure to check the seller's feedback before bidding. Yes, eBay is a bit riskier way of purchasing stuff, but for finding discontinued crystal, china and flatware, it cannot be beat.

Well, that is it for now. I feel I’ve done my part in stimulating the economy for today. Happy hunting!