Shopaholic? Me?

I got my laptop and am using it. I love it. It is a Lenovo blah blah. I know I should know the model and brand, but suffice to say other things were more important. Although just a regular black laptop, it actually has a textured top and gives it a uniqueness. It comes with windows 7 (which incidentally perhaps because I am not accustomed to it, I dislike). And it even has face recognition to let you access it. LOL, no-one can use it without my say so. I think that is so cool. And as for specs, it has enough to make my dear hubby jealous. I am not sure I like the textured mouse pad and I struggle with typing as it has a more old fashion touch typing feel and somehow I keep jumping around when typing. I do like my number pad at the side. It also has an integrated web-cam and that saves me carrying that extra equipment around. The only thing that I wish it had would be a 3 year laptop warranty and accidental damage (I do have 3 kids under age 5 after all), but a 1 year regular guarantee will just have to do and at the price I paid, I really cannot complain.

I need a new laptop as I keep having wireless issues. Mind you I am not sure it is my pc, but I cannot refuse the option to buy a new laptop! I have been looking around at some like the Asus and netbooks. I am in 2 minds about the net books. They are small and compact but they are technoligcally a step backwards from my current laptop. On the other hand they are more petite, pretty and very feminine.

What will I get, who knows? But watch this space….

I discovered a crack in my laptop. It is on the top of it when closed. I have no idea how it got there… I did not drop it or anything but it must have had an accident because there is very clearly a crack. Now from what I know… a stitch in time saves 9, however everything is disposable in todays world and I very much doubt it would be worth fixing. So I again need to get myself a new laptop. This is why I always go for the cheapest rather than things like laptop memory, grafics, ram, rom etc because I seem to constantly keep upgrading it. Perhaps next time I get accidental insurance. hah!

Hubby just said that we should back up all our computers. He thinks that at the very least we should do it on a yearly basis. I think he wants to go with an online backup because then they cannot be stolen or if lightening hits wiped out. But I like the idea of a portable hard disk or just copying to DVD but then I am not the techno geek! The only thing I do know is unlike shopaholic Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) in Sex in the City, I will er hopefully be protected!

My brothers are hoping for a laptop for Christmas. I must stress they are after 1 each. This is no mean feat given the average price of laptops. Laptops generally cost several hundred pounds each. On the plus side their birthday is also in December. So what we are doing is collectively putting cash in towards their Christmas and Birthday presents. What we would spend on their birthday and Christmas will go towards their laptops.

So I started hunting for some cheap laptops. I searched at Tesco, Dell, Currys, Woolies and PC World. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised to find that PC World do laptops from just £279 including delivery! They also offer a package for £299 which includes a laptop bag and a printer. I dare say we just may reach the target after all! (Though donations towards their presents always appreciated!)

Did you hear, Tesco has released a new and updated catalogue. And currently, you can get triple points on every order. Yippee!!

The John Lewis Department stores probably need no introduction to you. But in case you do…. John Lewis is a department store whose motto is “Never Knowingly Undersold”. Bear in mind that they do not apply this motto to their online store. They do however sell things online at the same prices as their stores, unless they have online promotions, which means lower prices than in store. John Lewis sell a whole range of goodies such as:-

• Audio & TV
• Computing
• Electrical
• Furniture
• Fashion
• Gifts & Flowers
• Home & Garden
• Nursery
• Sports & Leisure
• Toys
• Seasonal Items
• Wines *

One of the best things about John Lewis Online, is that besides being able to buy vouchers, you can also use your vouchers online, unlike most online retailers.

They also offer free delivery on orders over £100. It might seem like a lot, but sadly you quickly build up to more than £100! On the plus side, you do get yourself a whole bunch of goodies for £100!

*Although they sell wine. Their wine is supplier by Waitrose Wine Direct. Just for you to know.

EBay is an online auction website. It is probably the most well known auction site of them all. You can choose to buy stuff from your neighbour next door or direct from a wholesaler in Hong kong, you can grab a bargain from the US or something from as remote a place as Timbuktu!

What I love best is that you can really grab a bargain or two or erm…. plenty more. You can get new stuff at cost price or less sometimes! Obviously you can also buy unwanted second hand stuff for next to nothing also. And you can sell all your unwanted stuff to pay for it too! And all your unwanted stuff. Honestly everything sells. Ipods, Dancewear, PC’s, Accessories, Games, Books, Baby Stuff, Mobiles, TV’s, Fireplaces, Toys, Beds & Sheets, Sofas, Clothes, Costumes, Nursery Products, Coupons, Photography Stuff, Gadgets, Travel items, Gifts and all sorts of stuff. You name it, you can Buy It or Sell It on EBay.

EBay – Buy It, Sell It, Love It! Confusing logo but its true enough!

Bet you heard about eBay before today. Bet you heard some bad things and good. As always … you get good sides and bad. For your protection eBay has worked on safety systems. The first is FEEDBACK. Everyone who signs up has feedback. You start off with a Nil Feedback rating and as you buy and sell, you build up feedback. Feedback is very important. This is especially important for you to look into the Seller’s Feedback when buying anything of substantial value. As a base rule most people have well over 90% positive feedback. Less than that should set warning bells ringing. Read their feedback before bidding. Remember that by bidding you re committing to buy if you win the auction. I recommend you build your first few feedback by purchasing a few small items as people are obviously hesitant to buy from sellers with less than 10 feedback ratings.

The other is Paypal. People who work with Paypal tend to be safer sellers and more frequent too. They also have a feedback system, but read our Paypal opinion for more information.

Some recommendations when buying:-

• Read the auction well. Make sure you understand what is being sold. Ask questions if you are unsure. Most people will respond very quickly. A quick response tends to be a good sign.
• Read Peoples Feedback before bidding. See how happy other people were with their purchases.
• Take P&P into consideration as the costs can build up.
• Avoid paying money directly into bank accounts. You have NO safety net. You lose all right to your money and eBay can do nothing more than close down their account. You will not see your money again. Pay by cheque, credit card, postal order or Paypal. You will be protected.
• Decide on a price and place that bid. It will only increase as high as the other person who also wants it is ready to go or your maximum. Do not get caught up in a last minute bidding war as you may ed up paying more than you bargained for!

If you are selling: -

• Respond fast to questions.
• Once the item closes and you have received payment, send out items as soon as possible.
• Have reasonable P&P rates.
• List a picture and list in the gallery. This increases sales and prices.
• Be honest in your write up and be very detailed.
• Start your auction low and if necessary put a reserve price. Low starting prices attract more people and sell for better prices!

Good Luck and Happy Selling, Bidding and Buying!

This shop is sure to set any bloke’s heart on Fire. They have some of the most amazing gadgets you can think of.

I love their gift finder. You can search for a gift for anyone with any price budget. The gift finder helps you find presents for him, her, kids, romantic ones, geeks, pets and even for your home! You can also adapt your search within your price budget eg under £20, between £20 – £50, more than £50 or any price!

They do have some original gift ideas including a Silver or Gold Plated Love Heart, a Chocolate Fountain (for the chocoholic), Scorpion Vodka, Micro Mosquito Helicopter, Digital Photo Frame*, Cyberman Replica Display Helmet, iKaraoke for iPod, Games and lots lots more.

Standard Delivery takes just between 1 to 3 days, yet they also offer an express delivery if you simply must have it Right Now! You can also have your presents delivered direct to the recipient along with a sweet message. And yes, you have to decide on what to say…. They won’t do it for you. But aside from that, they are fantastic for every gadget type of gift ever.

*Really cool – a photo frame that can display your digital photos. You can show one, or a slide show or even better a film clip. Must get one of these!