Monday, October 16, 2006

Finding The Best Bedding Deals Online

Gone are the days when we had all the leisure time in the world to browse the stores in the mall for the best bargains. Shopping is not the leisurely pursuit it once was. And bargain shopping, by its very nature, is a stressful experience.

Take bedding for example. Bedding, and linens, includes everything from sheets and pillowcases to bed skirts and duvet covers. In fact, it just means everything that is used on and around your bed. There are so many colors, fabrics, textures, designs and styles on the market that you tend to think you need to be inside a store to see it all, feel it all and compare it all before you feel comfortable enough to buy it.

Of course, this means that you'll have to go out and beat the crowds, be totally alert to where the discounts are and be prepared to walk and walk while you go from store to store to compare the best prices. But if you know your product you can shop comfortably online. Make yourself a cup of coffee, log onto the Internet and open up your favorite search engine. Type in a keyword phrase that describes the type of product you are looking for. Is it for your baby? Type in Baby bedding, Toddler bedding or Crib bedding. Is it a brand name you are after? Type in Ralph Lauren bedding or Tommy Hilfiger bedding. Maybe you are after Harry Potter bedding?

Whatever you are after you'll bring up many suitable websites for you to start browsing. If you are after the best deals around, add keywords to your search, such as "best deals" or "discount". It is truly astounding that there is so much choice available at the best prices right at your fingertips. But do keep your cool. Make sure you read the product descriptions carefully before deciding which bedding is right for you. Most linen and bedding products are made from cotton or a mix of cotton and polyester. The cotton and polyester mixes tend to be the cheapest. They can also be the most practical, since the polyester makes for easier ironing. These days, though, cotton is being manufactured in an "easy care" variety which also allows it be ironed with more ease. Egyptian cotton and Pima (common in the US) cotton are the ultimate in luxury bedding fabrics. While that means that they'll be more expensive, you get much softer sheets and pillow cases, which make for a cosier sleep. Do note the thread count. The higher the thread count the softer the cotton. Sateen cotton, for example, has a high tread count and is silky and smooth.Bargains can be had regardless of the product chosen. Even when you are not looking to buy, it pays to do a random web search for the products you like. Sign up to stores of your product choice so that you may be informed of special offers. If you are worried about spam, just set yourself up with a free web-based shopping email account. Use that email address to sign up to shopping sites, newsletters and advertising material.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dean Erickson. Journalist, and web site builder Dean Erickson lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of www.bedding-finder.info on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

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