Shop with Your Friendly Robot

There is one problem with being a world famous Internet shopping expert; everyone wants me to do their shopping for them. Honestly, I would have no problem doing that but there is a better way- "shopping bots".

"Shopping bots" are programs that search the net for you looking for the lowest prices. Each "bot" has different features. Usually you can search by category, brand, or specific item number. A shopping bot is either found from a particular web site or by using a program that you download.

Before you use any "bot", you need to be aware that there are a few programs that are calling themselves bots but are just search engine for sites that have subscribed to using the service. The problem you will find with these programs is that they don't always deliver the lowest price.

There are two main search engines used with the downloaded programs, DealPilot Express and "ClickTheButton". Two programs use the "ClickThe Button" search engine, "Click the Button" and "Quicken". Both these programs are identical. They sit in the system tray and whenever you find an item you want to buy (at particular sites that use their technology), it will search the net to find that same item at a lower price. You can download this program at http://www.clickthebutton.com/ .

With DealPilot, you have the option of searching on the Internet at their website or by downloading their new program. This program sits at the bottom of your screen and is activated once you find a product that you desire. Within seconds, it will search other sites and deliver a list of prices, availability and shipping dates for that item. You can find DealPilot at http://www.dealpilot.com/dealpilotexpres... .

There are a number of online "shopping bots". The most popular "bot" is Bottom Dollar. If you look at the bottom of many shopping search engines you will see that many of them say at the bottom "powered by Bottom Dollar". Since I use Consumer World frequently, I normally go to http://www.consumerworld.org/pages/price... when I'm comparing prices. Two other popular web based programs are "My Simon" and "Pricescan". PC Magazine rates "My Simon" as the best shopping bot. You can begin your shopping at http://www.mysimon.com/index.anml .

The one site that I found delivered to me the lowest prices but was the most difficult to use was PriceScan. This shopping bot shows you the lowest price but it does not offer a direct link to that item. Therefore, you have to go to the site and find that item. PriceScan can be used by going to http://www.pricescan.com/ .

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