September 10, 2008

AVOIDING AMAZON - Websites with Free Shipping...and Free Print Catalogs!

In the past several years, I've done the majority of my Christmas shopping online at Amazon.com. Since we boycotted and sued Amazon after they tried to force us to pay them to print our books, I've been scurrying around online, trying to figure out where I can send my Christmas business this year. I'm a catalog junky and I found lots of smaller companies that happily not only send out free print catalogs but offer free shipping on your order as well!

We're having family come for Christmas this year so I really want to get started early with my shopping list.

This week, I thought I'd share what I found. The links below lead directly to each company's free catalog forms. If you know of or own a company that should be on this list, please send it to me at: angela - at - writersweekly.com
Have fun! You can bet I did!

TOYS TOYS TOYS!

Steve Spangler Science - Cool science stuff for kids!
Free shipping via FedEx.

Etoys
Free shipping on "100s of items."

FAO Schwartz
Free shipping on orders of $120 or more

The Discovery Channel Store - educational goodies
Free shipping on orders over $75.

ShinDigz - Party Supplies
Free shipping on orders of $100 or more.

LL Bean - cool apparel and outdoor products

Eastbay - sporting goods
Free shipping on orders of $99 or more.

AARP / Walgreens Health Essentials Catalog
Free shipping on orders over $50.

Nature Hills Nursery

JC Whitney - fun car accessories for your teen

J&R / jr.com - large computer and music retailer

Fun Stuff For Dogs
NO PRINT CATALOG BUT FREE SHIPPING ON SOME or ALL ITEMS

Barnes and Noble
Free shipping on orders of $25 or more.

KB Toys

buy.com

Toy Treasure House - All toys are $10 or less.
Shipping and handling is free for orders of $15 or more

Circuit City - electronics galore
Free shipping on orders of $24 or more

Child Basics - children's furniture and more
Free shipping. No minimum.

Texas Toy Shop
Free shipping on orders of $75 or more

Games by James - tons of puzzles and games!
Free shipping on orders of $25 or more

target.com - often offers free shipping as "specials" on its website

Book of the Month / bomc2.com
"Free Shipping Always"

Powells - EASY ORDERING!
Free shipping on orders of $50 or more
NOTE: We have received several reports of how easy it is to shop at/order from Powells. Angela has shopped here, too, and she agrees!

And, finally, you can sign up for tons of free catalogs here:
http://www.catalogs.com/