How To Use The Web To Compare Prices At Local Stores

Comparison shopping sites are designed to help you determine which online retailer offers the best price for a given product. Did you know that some of these comparison shopping sites can help you determine price and availability of a particular product in your local area as well?

Froogle, for example, the shopping search engine created by Google, will allow you to search both online and offline for the best prices. So, let's say you were in the market for a new digital camera but you wanted to buy it at a local store instead of online. Here's how you'd use Froogle to help you find the best prices in your local area.

1. Go to Froogle.com and type in the make and model of the camera you want-we'll use the Canon PowerShot A630 for this example-then click Search Froogle.
2. On the results page that appears you'll see the phrase, Search for Canon PowerShot A630 near you, followed by a text entry box. Type in your zip code or city and state in that box and then click Go.
3. Froogle will now display a list of stores and prices in or around the area you specified. A map of store locations is included as well.

It's as simple as that. Once you find a price you like at a store near you, you can always give the retailer a call to verify that the information you found online is current.