Companies:

1. African American Business
2. Airborne Express
3. Atlanta, Georgia & Fulton County Business Directory
4. Better Business Bureau (Promoting Fairness and Integrity in the Marketplace)
5. Better Business Bureau: Columbia, SC
6. Bigstep.com (build Your Own Professional-Looking Web Site & Sell Goods or Services Online)
7. Black Business Directory of African American Websites
8. Buyers Laboratory, Inc. (Helping Buyers Make The Best Office Products Purchasing Decisions)
9. CarQuotesNetwork.com (New Car Quotes, Car Buying Guide, Auto Loan Tips, Etc.)
10. Computer/Technology Companies
11. Consumer Search.com: Product Reviews and Reports
12. ConsumerAffairs.Com (an independent Web-based consumer news and resource center)
13. Corporate Information
14. eBay (Personal Online Trading Community...used to Buy & Sell Items in More Than 1,000 Categories)
15. Epinions.com (offers Reviews & Comments; covers over 200,000 Products & Services)
16. Fashion & Modeling (see Marketing Resources)
17. Federal Express (FedEx)
18. Financial Services (incl. Banks, Investment Brokers, Insurance Companies)
19. For Sale SC
20. FranChoice (Franchise Information Company)
21. IntelliChoice CarCenter (New & Used Autos, Leases, Best Values, Price Comparisons, Etc.)
22. INTERNALMEMOS.COM (Collection of Corporate Memos & Internal Communication)
23. Internet Service Providers (incl. Online Services)
24. Library Automation Vendors
25. Library Equipment, Furniture & Supplies (Vendors)
26. LinkShare (Online Affiliate Marketing; Pay for Performance Affiliate Marketing Network)
27. LowerMyBills.com (Compare Rates & SAVE)
28. PlanetFeedback (Help Consumers send Their Feedback to Companies, Incl. Complaints)
29. Portrait Studios & Photo Centers (incl. Digital)
30. Priceline.com (a Buying Service of Airline Tickets, Hotel Rooms, New Cars, Home Financing, Etc. that lets You name Your Price)
31. Publishers, Jobbers, Bookstores & Information Vendors
32. Retailers, Dealers & Merchants (Products & Shopping Sites; incl. Department Stores, Auto Dealers, Online Shopping Sites & Services)
33. Startupfailures
34. TechSavvy.com (Corporate Profiles, Brochures, Product Descriptions, Etc.)
35. Thomas Register
36. Time Warner Inc.
37. Travel Agencies, Airlines, Hotels, Car Rentals, Etc.
38. TUTTO (Mascot Metropolitan; incl. 4-Wheel Luggage, Office on Wheels & Travel Gear)
39. UPS
40. uGetheard.com (Send a Complaint or Applause Letter; incl. Company Ratings)
41. SEE ALSO Accounting & Finance Resources for Banks, Insurance & Investment Companies

Portrait Studios & Photo Centers:

1. Eastman Kodak Company
2. Glamour Shots
3. Ofoto.com (Beautiful Photographic Prints from Your Digital Camera)
4. Olan Mills
5. PhotoAccess.com (Digital Photo Printing & Processing)
6. Photo Reflect (Marketing & Selling Photos Online)
7. Shutterfly.com (delivers 35mm-Quality Prints from Your Digital Camera)
8. SEE ALSO Computer/Technology Companies
9. SEE ALSO Retailers (Shopping Sites; incl. Department Stores & Auto Dealers)

Retailers, Dealers & Merchants (Products & Shopping Sites; incl. Department Stores, Auto Dealers, Online Shopping Sites & Services):

Tips for online shoppers

Find trusted shopping sites

"One of my biggest worries has always been: How do I know whether to trust an online retailer's site? One way is to check the online merchant ratings given by comparative shopping sites such as CNET Shopper, ZDNet Shopper, Yahoo Shopping, and Epinions and steer clear of those with customer complaints." By Robert Vamosi, Senior associate editor, CNET Reviews (12/4/02). SEE also Better Business Bureau.

Consumer Search.com: Product Reviews and Reports

SEE Shopping Ads

1. 1-800-Flowers (Florist)
2. 4 All Memory (Computer Memory: Memory Stick, Memory Card, Memory Upgrade, RDRAM, RAM Memory, Etc.)
3. Advance Auto Parts (Source for Auto Parts & Car Care Information)
4. Adorama Camera (Digital cameras, All Other Cameras & Everything Photographic)
5. African American Business (incl. Online Shopping Sites)
6. Allstarshop Online Center (Computer Hardware & Software)
7. Amazon.com
8. American Biker^TM Clothing
9. The American Tailgater (The Ultimate Tailgating Outfitter)
10. Atomicpark.com (Super Software Store)
11. Audio Visual Aids Corp
12. Auto Anything.com (Accessories for Cars, Trucks, SUVs & Vans)
13. Auto Web (Dealers, New & Used Cars, Prices, Photos, Etc.)
14. Autobytel.com (a site for Buying Cars)
15. AutoWorld (The Global Guide For All Of Your Automotive Needs)
16. AutoZone.com
17. B&H Photo-Video (Photo, Video, Digital & Pro Audio Store; Worldwide Retail & Mail Order Supplier serving Professionals)
18. BMT Micro, Inc. (Software Distributor)  
19. Babystyle.com (Online Shopping Destination for New & Expectant Parents)
20. Backcountry.com: Your Source for Skiing, Camping, Hiking, and Backpacking Gear
21. Band Shoppe (Band & Guard Uniforms)
22. Battery Barn (Electronic Accessories Wholesaler & Importer)
23. Bed Bath & Beyond Shop for College
24. Belk Stores
25. Best Buy Stores (Electronics, Music, Etc.; incl. Computer Hardware & Software)
26. BestStuff.com (Consumer Product News & Reviews)
27. Better Business Bureau (Promoting Trust and Confidence on the Internet)
28. BI-LO, Inc. (Grocery)
29. BizRate.com (Compare Prices, Store Ratings & Product Reviews)
30. Blue Nile (Diamonds, Engagement Rings & Fine Jewelry)
31. Bonnie's Fitware, Inc. (Software & Instructional Materials for Physical Education)
32. Bookstores (SEE Publishers, Jobbers, Bookstores & Information Vendors)
33. Bounty Hunter (Rare Wine & Provisions)
34. Buy It Online (Shopping Mall)
35. Buy.com (Hardware, Software, Books, Videos, Games, Music, Etc.)
36. BuyDig.Com (Worldwide Enterprises; Printers, Scanners, Computers,,Monitors, Digital Cameras, Etc.)
37. Buyers Zone (Computers, Furniture, Office Supplies, Travel, Etc.; incl. Comparison)
38. CCV/SoftWareHouse (Over 6000 Products for K-12 and Higher Ed)
39. CD Recording Software.com
40. CDW Corporation
41. CDnow Online, Inc. (Music)
42. Camera Corner (Cameras, Video, Projectors & Presentation Products)
43. Camera Review (Photography & Camera Equipment Reviews)
44. Camera World (Digital Imaging; Video & SLR Cameras, Etc.)
45. Campus Technology® (sells Complete Current Versions of Software by Adobe, Microsoft, Macromedia, Etc. at Low Prices to Qualified Educators & Students Nationwide)
46. Car Pricing (Dealer Invoice Pricing on New Cars & Wholesale Pricing on Used Cars)
47. Car Tech (CNET Reviews; Buying Advice & Reviews on the latest Cars & their Gadgets)
48. Carolina Panthers Official Online Store
49. Cars.com (Buy new & used cars online, research prices & dealers, sell your car)
50. Cell Phone Shop
51. Central Camera Company
52. Circuit City® Stores, Inc. (Electronics; incl. Appliances, Computer Hardware, Televisions, Etc.)
53. ComfortChannel.com (Internet Shopping)
54. CompUSA (Computer Superstore)
55. ConsumerAffairs.Com (Consumer News, Reviews, Complaints, Resources, Safety Recalls)
56. Cooking.com (Cookware, Household Goods, Small Appliances, Etc.)
57. Coolibar (Quality Sun Protective Clothing, UV Protection Swimwear, Sunscreen, Etc.; Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation)
58. Copeland's Sports (A Sports Superstore)
59. Crate & Barrel (Dinnerware, Furniture, Glassware, Etc.)
60. Credit Union Car Sale (CARSFORMEMBERS.COM)
61. Crucial.com (Memory Upgrades, Video Cards, Flash Media & Storage)
62. DealTime.com (Comparison Shop for Almost Anything)
63. Designer Fashion Directory (Listing the top Fashion Designers & Designer Clothing)
64. Designer Outlet (Discount Designer Fashions)
65. Dick's Sporting Goods
66. Digital Megastore (Camcorders, Digital Cameras, DVD Players, Etc.)
67. Dillard's (Fashion Apparel, Home Furnishings, Etc.)
68. DollarDays International (Wholesale Inventory for Small Businesses)
69. drugstore.com (Online Pharmacy & Drugstore)
70. Dsports (The Ultimate Online Sporting Goods Store)
71. eBatts.com (Batteries, Adapters & Accessories)
72. Eddie Bauer Online Store
73. Edmund's Automobile Buyer's Guides
74. Egghead Computer (Retailer of Hardware, Software, Etc.)
75. Electronics Boutique (Software Retailer)
76. eToys (Leading Retailer of Children's Products on the Internet)
77. Everything Track and Field (Track & Field Equipment, Strength Shoes, Shot Puts, Track Shoes, Medicine Balls, Etc.)
78. Eye Tech Sports Vision & Optical
79. FTD (The Official Florists' Transworld Delivery Web Site)
80. Finish Line (Men's, Women's & Kids' Shoes & Apparel)
81. Firestone Complete Auto Care: Tire, Auto Maintenance & Vehicle Repair
82. Florals.com (Fresh Flowers & Floral Arrangements)
83. Florida Micro (IT Solutions)
84. Flower Stop (the Internet's Fresh Flower Market & Gift Idea Center)
85. Fogdog Sporting Goods Store (Sports Equipment, Sports Apparel & Footwear)
86. Food Lion Inc. (Grocery)
87. Foodservicedirect (Restaurant Supplies & Equipment)
88. Footwear etc. (Quality Brand Name Footwear)
89. For Eyes (buy Contact Lenses, Eyeglasses, Sunglasses, Eyewear & Eye Care)
90. FragranceNet.com® (The World's Largest Discount Fragrance Store (TM))
91. Frederick's of Hollywood
92. Fun-Attic Sports and Toys
93. Grant Enterprises (Furniture Items, Equipment & Supplies)
94. Hallmark (Gifts...incl. Cards)
95. Harris Teeter, Inc. (Grocery)
96. Home Depot
97. iQVC Shopping
98. iGadget.com (a PriceClick Company; Gadgets, Electronics, Etc.)
99. The InterCenter (Hardware, Lawn & Garden, Electronic, Automotive, Software & Other Products)
100. J.C. Penney Company, Inc.
101. Jackson Software (Provider of Software Solutions for Teachers & Schools)
102. Jensen Audio Visual (a Store for Infocus, Proxima, Boxlight, LCD Projectors & Plasma Display)
103. JewelryDays.com (Site for Exploring & Purchasing Diamonds and Diamond Jewelry)
104. Jos. A. Bank Clothiers (The Expert in Men's Apparel)
105. Kelley Blue Book (New Car Previews, Reviews & Pricing; Used Car Values, Buying & Selling,  Motorcycles, Etc.)
106. Kmart
107. Kroger Co. (Grocery)
108. Krupps.com (Home & Garden Decor)
109. L.L.Bean (Casual Apparel to Sporting Gear to Items for Your Home)
110. LCSI (Publisher of Constructivist Educational Software for K-12 Schools)
111. Lenscrafters.com (Eyewear & Eyecare)
112. Library Equipment, Furniture & Supplies (Vendors)
113. Lowe's (Home Improvement Warehouse)
114. Magg Software (incl. Academic Discounts)
115. The Music Stand (Gifts, Clothing & Accessories in Numerous Musical Categories)
116. mySimon inc. (Comparison Shopping)
117. NORDSTROM.com (Fashion Retailer)
118. Office Depot
119. Office World, Inc. (Office Supplies & Furniture)
120. OfficeMax
121. OurHouse.com (the Home Improvement Site for Products, Projects, Advice & More)
122. Overstock.com (Name Brands at Clearance Prices)
123. Orvis (Men's Clothing, Women's Clothing, Fly Fishing Gear, Home Furnishings, Dog Beds, Bead Spreads, Slippers, Etc.)
124. PT Cruiser Club Store (Chrysler PT Cruiser Parts and Accessories)
125. Perfume Web (Empire Perfume, Inc.)
126. Photo Craft (Photographic Equipment, including Cameras, Lenses, Bags/Cases & Accessories)
127. Photo Reflect (Marketing & Selling Photos Online)
128. Play.com (DVDs, Music and Video Games)
129. Price Watch ® (Street Price Search Engine)
130. PriceGrabber.com (Comparison Shopping Beyond Compare)
131. Priceline.com (a Buying Service of Airline Tickets, Hotel Rooms, New Cars, Home Financing, Etc. that lets You name Your Price)
132. proflowers.com (Fresh from the Grower to the Heart...MY CHOICE!)
133. PROVANTAGE.COM (The Computer Products Superstore)
134. Radio Shack Stores
135. ResellerRatings.com (Customer Reviews of Online Retailers; Compare Prices)
136. Retro Software (Find Great Deals on New, Used & Discount Computer Software)
137. Review Shoes (Consumer Reviews About All Brands of Shoes)
138. Ritz Camera
139. Sam's Club
140. School Direct Store (K-8 Classroom Materials)
141. SchoolOutfitters.com (School Furniture)
142. Sears, Roebuck and Co.
143. Service Merchandise Company, Inc.
144. Shoebuy.com (Mens Shoes & Womens Shoes)
145. Shoecrafters.com (Source for Designer Men & Women Shoes, Boots, and Handbags)
146. Shoedeals4u.com (Brand Name Shoes at Wholesale Prices)
147. Shoes.com (Mens Shoes, Womens Shoes & Childrens Shoes)
148. Sierra Trading Post^® (Dress, Casual & Outdoor Clothing, Footwear, Home Furnishings, Accessories )
149. Snowtraders (Snowboarding & Winter Gear Store)
150. Solestruck (A Passion for Shoes for Women)
151. Staples.com
152. StyleShop Direct (Fashions; incl. Brand Names & Designers)
153. suppliesusa.com (features One of the Largest Selections of Brand-Name Computing Supplies Online)
154. Target
155. Tech for Less (Name Brand Computers & Electronics at Bargain Prices)
156. Technology Resource Center (TRC; Supplier of Computer Software, Hardware, Accessory & Audio Visual Items for Colleges/Universities & Schools)
157. The Tie Guys (Neckties)
158. Tower Records (Music, Video, DVD, Etc.)
159. Tuxedos Online
160. U-Rate It.com (Product Reviews; a Place where you can Read & Write about Any Products sold by Infomercials or marked with the "As Seen On TV" Label)
161. Value City Furniture
162. Victoria's Secret
163. Virtual Florist
164. Walgreens (Pharmacy & drugstore, prescriptions, health information, photo center)
165. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
166. Willoughby's (Digital Cameras, Film Cameras, Binoculars, Camcorders & Accessories; incl. Anti-Fraud Ordering Process)
167. Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. (Grocery)
168. Zappos.com (Shoe Store; Dress Shoes, Casual Shoes & Athletic Shoes)
169. ZipZoomFly.com (Office, Computer Software, Computer Hardware)
170. SEE ALSO African American Business
171. SEE ALSO Companies
172. SEE ALSO Online Shopping Directory (incl. Stores & Malls)
173. SEE ALSO Publishers, Jobbers, Bookstores & Information Vendors
174. SEE ALSO Travel Agencies, Airlines, Hotels, Car Rentals, Etc.
175. SEE ALSO Search Engines

Tips for online shoppers:

• Buy from someone you know. Otherwise, try to research any deal that reaches you by unsolicited e-mail, pop-up ad or unfamiliar Web site. That means, for example, getting a street address for the company offering the deal. "Legitimate companies don't hide behind vague promises or e-mails or Web sites where the source is unclear," said Ken Dreifach, chief of the Internet bureau of the New York State attorney general's office.
• Check out unfamiliar Web sites. You can search their names and determine a site's ownership through sources like www.networksolutions.com.
• Look for reliability standards. Check whether complaints have been filed with the Better Business Bureau.
• Know all the costs. Before signing up, ask about any extra charges or fees for upgrades and try to get them in writing. Then compare those prices with similar deals offered by other companies.
• Avoid high-pressure deals. In some cases, a "deal" may expire if you do not respond immediately. By the same token, you should also avoid buying trips that can be taken over a long period.
• Use a credit card to protect your purchase. If a product is not delivered as promised, consumers can dispute the charges with the credit card company.
• Keep paper records. If you do purchase of book on the Internet, print out the pages and obtain confirmation numbers.
• Be wary of anything "free." That word alone should raise a red flag, along with phrases like "you have been specially selected" or "you have won a trip."

Note: The above list of tips is a paraphrase version of the one published (for travelers shopping online) in the 08/25/2002 issue of the New York Times.

© 1994 - , Floyd Ingram.

This page was last updated on January 13, 2008