E-Shopping guide 2000 - shopping online for golfing gifts

Golf Digest, Nov, 2000

The holiday season is here. That means you need to get gifts for your nearest and dearest. You can fight traffic, battle for a parking space, hunt among busy stores and wait in line to pay. Or you can do it all at home on the Internet: Itaes fast, cheap (no sales tax), easy and safe.

E-commerce took a beating this spring as harsh economic reality finally caught up with all the hype and bluster. The Nasdaq stumbled, many Web sites crumbled - they couldnaet make it pay. But e-commerce is here to stay: One report predicts it to be worth $6.8 trillion in 2004. See our gift ideas for under $100 and our favorite 50 shopping sites.

$100 and under: We ordered these gifts online ...

$10.95
FootJoy golf glove
www.mygolf.com
Additional charge to us
for shipping: $8.45
How long it took to arrive: 1 day
Gift-wrapping available: No

$11.65
Chicken Soup for the Golfer's Soul
www.amazon.com
Additional charge to us for shipping: $4.48
How long it took to arrive: 1 day
Gift-wrapping available: Yes

$29.95
Monopoly Golf Edition
www.golfx.com
Additional charge to us
for shipping: $4.95
How long it took to arrive: 3 days
Gift-wrapping available: No

$98
Pebble Beach Collection
microfiber jacket
www.pebblebeach.com
Additional charge to us
for shipping: $15

How long it took to arrive:
2 days
Gift-wrapping available: Yes

$44
Swiss Army golf tool
www.swissarmy.com
Additional charge to us
for shipping: $6.88
How long it took
to arrive: 3 days
Gift-wrapping available: No

$14
Chocolate golf balls
www.godiva.com
Additional charge to us
for shipping: $15.75
(came in a mini cooler)
How long it took to arrive: 1 day
Gift-wrapping available: No

$25
Jack Nicklaus
collection tie
www.ties.com
Additional charge to us
for shipping: $6
How long it took to arrive: 1 day
Gift-wrapping available: Yes

$21.99
St. Andrews
golf tankard
www.chipshot.com
Additional charge to us
for shipping: $21.85
How long it took to arrive:
3 days
Gift-wrapping available: Yes

$79.99
Nike Air Accel
Saddle Shoes
www.fogdog.com
Additional charge to us
for shipping: $19.99
How long it took to arrive: 1 day
Gift-wrapping available: Yes

$89.99
Bennington Golf Deluxe
Travel Bag Cover
www.igolfstore.com
Additional charge to us
for shipping: zero
How long it took to arrive: 7 days
Gift-wrapping available: No

$68
Woman's golf
bangle bracelet
www.usga.com
Additional charge to us
for shipping: $7.25
How long it took to arrive: 5 days
Gift-wrapping available: No

$24.99
Bag Barker head cover
www.golfinstuff.com
Additional charge to us
for shipping: $10.50
How long it took to arrive: 2 days
Gift-wrapping available: No

$29.99
Simpsons
talking head cover
www.edwinwatts.com
Additional charge to us
for shipping: $12.94
How long it took to arrive: 1 day
Gift-wrapping available: No

RELATED ARTICLE: e-Shopping: Is it safe?

* Most major sites carry out transactions that are "secure"--the credit-card information you provide is encrypted. If in doubt, call to ask. If there's no phone number on the site (a big Web store no-no), visit www.dotcom.com and type in the Web site address to find the contact details.

* See your credit-card policy regarding liability for fraudulent transactions.

* Bookmark the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org, a site that offers a lot of helpful tips on buying online. It's also a place to file a complaint, if need be.

50 great gifts sites for golfers

By Marc Saltzman

General shopping

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

As one of the oldest and most popular e-tailers on the Web, Amazon has grown from a humble book seller to an online superstore selling everything from patio furniture to new cars. And golf is no exception--type in a key word in the search window to find books, instructional videos, auctions and even "golf lover" designer baskets, to name just a few items.

Buy.com

www.buy.com

Not only does Buy.com enjoy one of the largest and most diverse assortments of goods on the Web, but with its "Gift Center" it's possible to shop from friends' or families' wish lists, or you can create your own. If you buy something from Buy.com then find a lower price elsewhere on the Net within 24 hours of placing an order, they'll refund the difference.

eBags.com

ebags.com

This sleek and specialized site dedicated to all kinds of bags features an 11-page golf section where visitors can find golf bags by price, by manufacturer or by type of bag (for the course, for travel, etc.). An optional "comparison chart" of all items selected helps narrow down the products you're after.

Fogdog Sports

www.fogdog.com

Examples of some of the golf gift ideas available at this "athlete's toy store" include Big Berthas for women, a Nike Golf Gift Set, and a coupon book for California or Arizona golf courses. Buying guides and comparison charts also make for handy and informative sections.

Gear.com

gear.com

With some of the best sports deals on the planet--not to mention a beautiful and easy-to-use site--Gear.com is a useful shopping stopover while on the super-information highway. Be sure to read its promises on the left-hand side of the screen, including a 30-day guarantee and directions or receiving free shipping anywhere in the U.S. on orders of $75 and over.