• Screen - Electronic Ink (eInk) is awesome! A specialized screen technology so you can read for hours without going blind from eye strain.
• Size - is it too heavy? too big? too small (i’m thinking the iPhone). Make sure it suits your needs.
• Content - Do you like to download ebooks online and then upload through USB? or do you need the manufacturer to provide an online ebook site for your perusal?
• Color - if you read comics then get a color screen. Newspapers can be easily read on all e-ink devices that are grayscale.
• Internet - Will you be using your eBook Reader for getting emails?
• Navigation - do you want buttons or a touch screen?
• Storage - does it have enough onboard memory to allow you to store your ebook library? If not, can I put in an expansion card?

The above (full guide) gives you the key fields to look at before making your choice on what to buy. Check out this comparison page to compare ebook reader stats. If you want to see all available ebook readers on the market check out the 2010 guide.

The Barnes & Noble Color Touchscreen

see more photos

Comparison Shopping

By looking at multiple listings from different shopping networks and different ebay stores you can find the cheapest deal.

• Apple iPhone with eBook Reader Apps
• Amazon Kindle 1 – the first Kindle Oprah made famous
• Amazon Kindle 2
• Amazon Kindle DX – the latest Amazon ereader device
• Barnes & Noble Nook – Pre-pay before release in early 2010 (Touchscreen & color)
• The iRex Price Comparison Guide – compares the iRex Iliad Book Edition, Iliad 2 and iRex 1000S Digital Reader
• Sony PRS-300
• Sony Touch PRS-600 (Touchscreen)

Why spend extra money when you can save on this latest technological craze?   The odds are you will want a better model in a year to come so save money on the purchase and compare before you buy.

The above links will allow you to buy the ebook reader devices well below RRP in any country in the world. Happy Bargain Hunting !

Savemonies

Play the Waiting Game

Hold back from buying your shiny new iPod right away. In order for the prices to do down there must be less people wanting it. To buy a tech toy cheaper simply wait. Never buy tech toys on an instant – wait, do your research and buy it ‘next’ week. It gives time for the large resellers to list the items on their eBay stores or sell through Amazon.

Compare Before you Buy

Let’s say you want to buy the Apple iPod Nano 5th Gen on eBay. Look at multiple listings of the item on eBay and get an average price on the product. Now that is the average price. The keen frugal buyer can drop the price another 5% so it pays to look around.

I have found a good site that lists each and every ipod for their market price. You can also select what country to buy from and if the search filters by keyword, price or remaining auction time.

Buy the iPod Touch 32GB Cheap Online at iPod.Tradr.com

Cheap iPod Listings at iPod.Tradr.com

• iPod Nano 16GB – 5th Generation
• iPod Shuffle 4GB – 3rd Generation
• iPod Touch 32GB
• iPod Touch 64GB

Buy the Older Model New

When Apple wish to bring out a new improved version of their hardware they allow their authorized resellers to sell old stock cheaper. We are talking a time frame for the marked down items of a couple of weeks before a new model is released. Do your research and get them cheap!

Display Models

Look for the in store device that people get to inspect pre purchase. Ask the salesperson if this is available as you can usually barter the price down to super low levels. It will still have the Apple Warranty but you must check that the item is has not been damaged. Check all the buttons, check the touchscreen and inspect the connectors for dirt. If you are prepared to cherish this device as your own after others have had their mits on it you will save money on your iPod purchase.

Auctions can be online – similar to eBay with detailed photos of the whitegoods or electronics. The thing is you can’t get a hands on until it comes in the mail. Auctions can be offline where you gather at meet spots, usually commercial premises on weekends where you bid with others and experience that enjoyable auctioneer atmosphere.

If you can find an on/offline auction company based in your locality. It makes it easier for transport, accountability and instant gratification. ‘I just got a bargain at my local auction on Sunday!’

Online Auctions

Grays Online – Up by 20 per cent in the last few months with savings up to 70 per cent for the buyer.

Oztion – Aussie online auctions

Trading Post – Categorises auctions into ending soonest and starting at 99c. [Last stats 14-Apr-09 Automotive (382), DVDs, CDs, Videos, Records & Tapes (298), Sport, Leisure & Recreation (148), Fashion & Beauty (105), Household (92), Entertainment & Electronics (44)]

Offline Auctions

Australia Nationwide – Pickles Auctions for vehicles on Mondays and Wednesdays

Melbourne

Breen’s Auction Group
Where? West Footscray
When? Every Wednesday

Young’s Auction
Where? East Hawthorn
When? Every Friday

Sydney

Combined Auctions
Where? Waterloo
When? Monday – Thursday

D&D Auctions
Specialize in? New household & office furniture, whitegoods, appliances, brandname mattresses & ensembles.
Where? 3B 90-96 Bourke Rd, Alexandria
When? Sunday 11AM
Contact? 02 8399 2844

Lawsons Auctions
Where? Balmain
When? Friday 9AM

Brisbane

Brisbane Motor Auctions (car stuff)
Where? Eagle Farm
When? Wednesday

Cam Brown Auctions (home stuff)
Where? Eagle Farm
When? Wednesday

See the Auctions page for more up to date information – good luck and save monies !