Here’s how to work the Web for maximum savings:

• Find sites you like and trust, and visit frequently – at least 2-3 times per week.  Here’s why.  Liquidators carry what becomes available through retailers.  One week, it might be large-screen TVs, the next week laptop computers, and a week later talking teddy bears.  If you’re shopping for a specific item (a boom box, a camera, an entertainment unit), you need to visit frequently and monitor the sites until such an item appears.

• Do your research.  Check the flyers in your Sunday paper, and be aware of the retail price of the product you’re hoping to find.  That way, you’ll know instantly if a real bargain appears, or if a deal isn’t really a deal.

• Understand who pays for shipping.  Most secondary market sites require the buyers to pay shipping costs.  Make sure you add the shipping costs to determine a total price.  And when a site offers free shipping deals, jump on it!

Some web stores tell you what’s wrong with an “As Is” item and exactly what parts are missing.  If so, this indicates real people spent real time inspecting the product and expect to be paid real money for the effort.  This inspection process hikes the price slightly, but not much.   

New.  Just what you’d find on the store shelf.  Highest priced stuff you’ll find in the secondary market.  Still the lowest price around.   

 New, Box Damaged.  The product is new, but the outter box has definitely seen better days.  The damage to the box should in NO way affect the product inside in terms of appearance or functionality.

Open Box.  The box was opened and re-taped, but the stuff inside works.  Deeper discount than “new” items. 

Refurbished.  It had a problem, but was fixed, tested and is now good as new.  Discounts on refurb items will be similar to open box.  

As Is.  Retail store returns, most of which work just fine.  But they’re not tested, so no way to know for sure.  Could have a scratch or a missing component.  “As Is” products carry the biggest discounts – up to 70% off retail (not kidding!).  Some sites won’t offer refunds on “as is,” so do your research.  NoBetterDeal.com let’s you return items up to 30 DAYS after purchase date. 

If you care less about looks and more about whether or not an item works, then “as is” is a good way to go.  But when appearance matters more (for example, if it’s a piece of furniture), think twice about “as is!”

Chris: autoworker, dad, and regular customer of one of the best secondary market web sites.  “I just bought a Weber gas grill online.  OK, it had a scratch on it.  But it cost less than 50 percent of the retail price, and it works perfectly. I could have bought a cheaper, lower-quality grill at list price at the store, and it would have had a scratch on it within a week.  To me, it’s a no-brainer.”

Tracey: Kentucky housewife, two children.   “I hardly ever go to the store anymore, unless I’m buying clothing and groceries.  Everything else – electronics, furniture, sports equipment, you name it – we buy online from NoBetterDeal.com.  Last month I bought a 47” LCD TV for $667.  I did my research – the same TV sold at the electronics stores for $1,300.  I’ve bought lots of ‘As Is’ merchandise, and except for an Mp3 player that came with no headphones, it’s all been like new.  We buy birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, everything there now.” 

Ashley:  Ohio mom with a young daughter, has shopped the online secondary market for a little over one year.  “I’ve bought a refrigerator, rocking chairs, toys, electronics – everything you might think of, for me and for my whole family.  I found a changing table listed at $189 for $35, and a backyard playhouse that cost $200 in the store for $30.”

Got a story of your own?  Let’s hear it!

Most times, this inventory is bought up by wholesale liquidators who sell it to Big Lots, flea marketers, eBay power sellers….the businesses that then sell to you at a mark-up.  But some wholesalers have begun to cut out the middleman and sell this product directly to you – on the internet.  (NoBetterDeal.com is a wholesaler!)

Here’s where it gets interesting. 

Secondary market sites like NoBetterDeal.com offer new and like-new items at prices that are anywhere from 10% to 70% below the lowest retail price you’ll find.  (That’s the “Why should you care?” part.)

At NoBetterBlog.com, one of our goals is to simplify secondary market shopping.  We’ll do this with regular posts that tell you how to find great deals without getting burned. 

Secondary market shoppers can save thousands a year on everyday purchases.  Check back often and let’s keep the conversation going.  If you want to save, we want to help. 

Good afternoon my pupils!  My name is Professor Jim. 

It is my understanding that many of you are eager to absorb more information and helpful tips on saving money in today’s economy.  And if that is so… you’re in luck.  My specialty is the Secondary Market, and I am looking forward to sharing much of my knowledge and experience with you.

All of my posts will be categorized under Secondary Market 101…

Stay tuned for our first lesson.