Michael Brito asked:


Everyday, thousands of consumers are comparing prices and buying products online to satisfy their wants, needs and desires. It has become a way of life for many. Experts are now asking themselves and wondering why the appeal for online shopping is suddenly evolving into a new trend. A recent Forrester study of online comparison shopping asked several hundred consumers why they shop online and the results were not surprising: bargains and convenience. These two reasons coupled with thousands of online comparison shopping services are making the case for an Internet revolution that will benefit the value conscious consumer. Here are a few reasons why online comparison shopping works.

Stress Free Transactions

How many times have you been standing in line at the mall somewhere debating with yourself about whether or not you actually need the pair of shoes you are holding? The internal debate isn’t necessarily about the cost or the color of the shoes. No, it’s more about you not wanting to wait in the horrific long line for the $60 pair of shoes. Sounds too familiar, doesn’t it?

What about the parking fiasco when you arrived at the mall? Perhaps you are still irritated with the person who cut in front of you and stole that first row space in the parking lot, which caused you to park more than a mile away. Suddenly, your trip to the mall doesn’t seem to be giving you what you expected.

These are just a few reasons why online comparison shopping is taking off. It’s easy, convenient and you can buy exactly the same thing online as you can at the mall. It’s a stress free transaction that allows you to make purchases online and from the comfort of your own home.

Instant Gratification, or Not?

We currently live in a world where drive-thru restaurants dominate every street corner; high-speed internet is growing rapidly and microwave ovens. We are a society that thrives and operates on instant gratification. But, there needs to be a point where you have to wonder what that frozen roast beef dinner or Big Mac is really doing to your internal organs.

This is one disadvantage of online comparison shopping. That is, you actually have to wait a day or two before you can actually receive the products. But, what if you can get the same pair of shoes online for half the price? The fact is that comparison shopping on the internet can save you thousands of dollars per year. The reason why it’s cheaper online is that online retailers do not have to mark up the products 100% like the retailers do because they don’t have sales agents to pay, an electricity bill, or the rental fees to the mall. Comparison shopping is really a no brainer for those consumers who are looking to save some serious coin.

The People Factor

So, who really wants to sit behind a computer screen shopping online by yourself while Carpal Tunnel Syndrome begins to grow in your wrists? The fact of the matter is that even though we live in high speed world where everyone is connected by email, instant messaging and chat, we still want and need human interaction. It’s important for our self being to be around others and engage in conversations. No, this is not a contradiction to earlier statements made, but rather the introduction of an awesome innovation that is taking online comparison shopping to the next level.

Now, imagine yourself at the mall again looking at the same pair of shoes that you desperately want and need; and then noticing that horrific line. What if you were to dial a phone number, punch in the barcode of the shoes and wait for a few seconds while a database will search the internet to see where you can buy them cheaper? A computerized voice will then confirm the name of the product and provide the product’s price on Amazon.com and/or Yahoo! Shopping, whichever is cheaper. You can then bookmark that product, go to a website and pay for it later.

Yes, it’s here and it’s called Frucall. Frucall is a free phone-based price-comparison shopping service for consumers to compare prices and purchase products using their cell phones, anywhere, anytime. Frucall blends the benefits of in-store shopping with the flexible nature of shopping online; providing consumers with a unique mobile shopping experience.



Bradley

Michael Brito asked:


Today, many consumers who make purchases online won’t buy anything until they consult with a comparison shopping website first such as Shopzilla, Cnet.com, or Shopping.com. They understand that comparison shopping ensures that they are getting the best deal around, which is what most value conscious shoppers want after all. However, with today’s social and lifestyle pace being faster than ever, there is a growing need for comparison shopping on the go. Sure, there are laptops and wireless connections all over the place, but the average person is more likely to leave home with their cell phone instead of their laptop. So, the need for comparison shopping using a mobile phone was answered and there are several ways to take advantage of this new technology.

Google SMS

Google recently launched a new service that allows U.S. mobile phone users to tap into its search results via the short message service (SMS) infrastructure. Users send queries to GOOGL or 46645 and receive results on their phones. The service returns directory information about local businesses via Google Local and provides price comparison shopping information through Froogle.com. It also lets users search for residential phone numbers, dictionary definitions and Web search results snippets. Google SMS also does calculations, area code look-ups and ZIP code look-ups. Results usually come within a minute, and are text-based only.

This is a great alternative to wasting gas money and time driving all over the city looking for the best deal.

Frucall

Launched in March 2006 as the first price-comparison mobile service using voice, Frucall allows consumers to compare retail store prices with prices for the same products on Amazon.com and online comparison shopping service Yahoo Shopping, directly from their mobile phone. It’s a simple solution that sidelines many services that offer price comparison results to be sent via text message. Even better, is that consumers can soon buy products directly from their mobile phone, assuming they have registered and have a valid credit card in their profile.

Frucall enables consumers in the midst of examining retail aisles to call a toll-free number (888-FRU-SHOP) and input the product’s barcode. Within approximately 10 seconds, the caller gets a confirmation of the product name and the price of the product as listed online. Currently, the service compares prices for products from a variety of categories available on Amazon including automotive supplies, books, electronics, jewelry, movies, music, tools and pet supplies. There are even features that will allow consumers to save purchase history, makes notes, and reminders.

Lastly, is that Frucall be accessed from any phone and since the results are not returned via SMS, there are no text messaging fees that sometimes occurs with Google SMS.

Conclusion

With cell phones being as popular as socks, and everyone from age 10 to 100 having one, there is no surprise that mobile phone comparison shopping services are taking off.

It is a simple concept that brings tremendous value for consumers who are looking to save a few dollars; and they can now feel confident about making the right purchasing decision, online or offline.



Ralph