Tips for successful cyber shopping

Before you start Cyber shopping:

• As in past years, Cyber Monday is a great day for buying apparel and home decor with discounts up to 40 percent off. It is also a good time to shop for certain toys and electronics. Comparison shop in advance and make a detailed list of the items you want including product numbers, specifications and price. This way you won't be fooled by lesser products that resemble what you are looking for, and you will be able to tell if you're really getting a deal by focusing on the actual price instead of the percent discount.
• Heavy online shoppers probably already have a separate account for their shopping emails and receipts. If you don't, create one in advance to help you easily track your online purchases, receipts and returns.
• Make sure you have joined the loyalty or reward programs of the retailers you plan to shop and that you follow those brands on social media. The perks may include early access to deals or unadvertised deals. Some retailers such as Toys "R" Us and Kohl's have introduced new point programs. Join before you shop and start earning points.
• Check RetailMeNot, CouponCabin, FatWallet and other such websites for coupons and cash back offers that you can stack with Cyber Monday discounts. Don't wait until you are checking out to look for these extra savings.
• Walmart has had Black Friday/Cyber Monday like deals happening all month long. Target Cyber Week begins Nov. 30. When you see the item you want at a price you want, don't wait because you think you may get a better deal.

During Cyber shopping:

• Use one credit card to make your online purchases. Credit cards have anti-fraud protections, making shopping online safer. If you don't have a credit card, you can use a pre-paid credit card for shopping online.
• If you must provide a password to shop on Cyber Monday, make it unique and always give the least amount of information required to complete your order. You can also just make up the information. If you're shopping on the website as a one-time deal, check out as a guest.
• Make sure shipping is free. You should be able to get free shipping with no minimum purchase.
• Cyber Monday shopping runs all day, but shopping starts to pick up about 3 p.m. and hits its peak at 9 p.m. according the 2013 IBM Holiday Benchmark report. Avoid the possibility of technical difficulties by shopping when traffic is low.
• Ask questions. If you have a question while you are shopping online, use live chat help. Ask about product information, shipping or discounts. Retailers who offer live chats recognize it as a tool to close a sale. The associates may be able to offer you additional incentives.
• Shop the online retailers shoppers love as they are likely to offer you a good shopping experience. According to the National Retail Federation, the top online retailers ranked by consumers are Amazon, Walmart, eBay, Kohl's, Best Buy, Macy's, Target, J.C. Penney and Sears. Retailers that made the top 50 list for the first time this year include Zulily, J. Crew, Wayfair and Eddie Bauer.