This year, online shopping was huge. The most obvious advice for future online gift purchasers that became evident this last month is this: order early. eTailers (that’s e-retailers) everywhere have problems keeping a super-accurate inventory this time of year, and what is available in abundance today may be found to be in short or no supply tomorrow. Also, shipping companies are not perfect. Packages get lost or delayed every once in a while, especially around this time of year when temporary help may be employed.

The second big lesson is that eBay does not always mean cheapest. At Step2 we sell factory-direct from www.step2direct.com. This year we had a Free Shipping Special on our most popular kitchen, which sells for $199.99. eBay sellers have been peddling them for $220-230 each, ording from our website and having them shipped to their bidders. That’s 28 people who could be buying their children a play food set or a couple of Disney DVDs. Not only did it cost them more, but it is now looking as if the extra delay required to go through an eBay sale might mean some of them don’t receive their kitchen by Christmas.

The next time you buy something online, do your homework. Sometimes typing in www.(brandnamehere).com or checking with major retailers such as Target.com or JCPenney.com will land you a much sweeter deal than Mr. ISitAtHomeAllDay from eBay.