Eight Web Sites That Will Save You Cash

Regular Internet shoppers know the advantages of e-tailing: lower prices, larger selection, and the chance to shop in their skivvies. But there are some categories where savings are really pronounced, and if you're not signed up for deal newsletters, or checking for coupons before authorizing a transaction, you might be missing out on even more savings. (Note: Most quoted prices are rounded to the nearest dollar.)

Buy a refurbished laptop or other piece of hardware: In the market for a new laptop? Maybe one of those spiffy Dell XPS M1530 systems tricked out for entertainment? They start at around $949, but if you're willing to go the refurbished route, you can pick one up for as little as $729. That's the price I found in Dell's Outlet Store (shown below), which is home to all of Dell's desktop and laptop refurbs.

Refurbished items are those that didn't pass a manufacturer's initial quality checks or that were returned for some reason. In both cases the hardware gets rechecked (and, if necessary, repaired) and restocked, though it can't be sold as new. Hence the often-hefty discounts.

What's the downside? The gear may have dents, scratches, and/or other physical flaws, though nothing that will impact its operation. Also, it usually comes with a shorter-than-average warranty (90 days is typical). Apple is an exception: Refurbished iPods, iMacs, and the like come with the same one-year warranty as new items. Same goes for Dell.

For more advice about refurbished laptops, check out the advice from our mobile computing guru, Jim Martin. Interested in a used phone? Here's the scoop.

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