Karen Hoxmeier of French Valley holds a laptop with her Web site mybargainbuddy.com, which is a shopping guide for consumers. (Photo by Steve Thornton - Staff Photographer) REGION: Local Web site thrives as economy sinks
Mybargainbuddy.com averaging 50,000 hits per day
By JENNIFER KABBANY - For The Californian | ∞
Karen Hoxmeier of French Valley holds a laptop with her Web site mybargainbuddy.com, which is a shopping guide for consumers. (Photo by Steve Thornton - Staff Photographer) FRENCH VALLEY ---- Tough economic times are creating bargain hunters every day, a trend clearly evident to Karen Hoxmeier, owner of mybargainbuddy.com.
The French Valley mother of three started the Web site nearly a decade ago. It promotes thousands of slash-and-burn retail prices, freebies, coupon codes and more. It has grown in popularity every year, but now averages about 50,000 hits a day, Hoxmeier said.
"With the economy now, it's growing even faster," said Hoxmeier, who runs the site out of her home. "People are telling their friends."
The economy is bad and only seems to be getting worse. The housing market is stagnant, gas and food prices continue to rise to never-before-seen levels, credit cards are being maxed out, and consumer confidence is at its lowest level since 1992, according to market analysts.
The situation is forcing people to become savvier shoppers, Hoxmeier said.
That's where mybargainbuddy.com comes in. All of the items listed are marked down by at least 50 percent. Often, the deals tout free shipping as well, Hoxmeier said.
"That's money in your bank instead of your gas tank," she said.
Hoxmeier is not alone in her success at tapping into the need for bargains, said consumer and retail expert Margie Johnson of shoptalk.org. She said shoppers are turning to comparable Web sites, such as overstock.com and eBay.com, for similar deals.
"People are having to be mindful," Johnson said. "Right now they are looking around for the sales."
As shoppers have become more comfortable with online purchasing, the trend to turn to the Internet has grown, Johnson said. Retailers, for their part, are willing to make "bottom-of-the-barrel bargains" because they have to move their merchandise, she said.
Mybargainbuddy.com includes sale items for apparel, electronics, children's items, home and garden, health and beauty, computer and office supplies, food, travel and more.
"I have a dozen new items every day," said Hoxmeier, a stay-at-home mom who spends about six hours a day working on the Web site.
"I also have coupon codes for about 1,000 different stores," she said. "If they want to go to a specific store, they can go to my site and look for a coupon code."
Stores pay Hoxmeier a commission for the sales she generates on her site, she said.
Now that clearance items are not flying off the shelves as fast as they used to, the deals are becoming even more lucrative, Hoxmeier said. Especially clothing stores, which are practically giving their out-of-season items away, she said.
Another great buy is annual magazine subscriptions, she said. Some are being offered for as little as $4 per year, equivalent to the cost of one or two magazine impulse purchases at the checkout line, she said.
"Why buy two when you can have 12 at the same price?" Hoxmeier said.
Also, restaurant gift cards can beĀ a steal nowadays, she said. Sometimes they offer a $25 gift card for as little as $4, she said.
What's more, items that generally come down in price on their own, regardless of the economy, are cheaper now more than ever, Hoxmeier said.
For example, there are incredible sales on electronic items, which tend to decrease in price the longer they are on the market anyway, and are especially affordable with the current economic crisis, she said.
Yet even with all the deals out there, some luxury items will never become affordable, she said.
"People who can buy those items are not worried by the economy, so you are not going to find any great deals on Chanel," Hoxmeier said. "But if you are not hung up on name brands, there are so many deals out there ---- it is just insane."
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lisa wrote on Jul 8, 2008 8:09 AM:this is a GREAT website! i find smart bargains here all the time. make sure to sign up for the newsletter as you get "alerts' when there are bargains for the day ($20 prada handbags - not kidding!)
robert wrote on Jul 10, 2008 1:27 PM:you think that hand something special i got a 42" flat screen tv for $400 and shipped free to my house!! (Not kidding, too.)
kelly wrote on Jul 10, 2008 2:20 PM:i have been a member of this site for a couple years. i also get her newsletter. and i have to say this is the best site ever. i have gotten so many great deals from the site. there is also a rebate section where i have gotten tons of free food and things from there. also there is also coupons for free stuff all the time. i suggest you come join us!!!
Smoke wrote on Jul 10, 2008 2:21 PM:This is a great site. Karen does a great running it. Her newsletter is very helpful also. You ROCK Karen !!! Thanks for everything you do help us out.
Tammy wrote on Jul 10, 2008 2:25 PM:This is a great site. Karen does a great running it. Her newsletter is very helpful also. You ROCK Karen !!! Thanks for everything you do help us out.
Shari wrote on Jul 10, 2008 2:40 PM:I love this site!
I did a lot of my Christmas shopping from deals I found there, and saved a ton of money!
Krissy wrote on Jul 10, 2008 2:43 PM:This site is very well organized and up to date.Every day there is a new bargain to be found. The newsletter includes the bargain of the day and the forum is full of warm and shopping savvy people.
Irene wrote on Jul 10, 2008 2:50 PM:Been a member on this site for a year and a Half. It is a great site to save money. THe Forum section is great. Instant cyber friendships are made here daily. With Christmas shopping looming, I can't wait to snap up the bargains. Even now in July there are hot deals on Halloween Costumes. Karen has made this a Great site and My Favorite with all of her Very Hard Work. Thanks Karen.
Lisa wrote on Jul 10, 2008 2:53 PM:I've been a MBB shopper for a while. It saves me money constantly. If I am looking for something online it is the first place I go to. Karen does a great job keeping things updated. MBB members also share promotional codes that they may get in the mail, promotional emails, or special event sales with each other. Check it out!
Emmie wrote on Jul 10, 2008 4:09 PM:This is the best site, it is updated constantly for great bargains,codes for discounts 50% off or more, freebies, rebates, It is the first & last site I log onto each day, also very helpful & friendly forum, never buy anything before you check out My Bargain Buddy
Modemouth wrote on Jul 10, 2008 4:40 PM:I found a deal on Chanel using a store link from Karen's site. :-)
I have been getting her newsletter for years and was thrilled when she opened her web site. We have fun as well as finding great bargains.
Nothing beats a great deal shipped to your front door for FREE.
Christine wrote on Jul 10, 2008 7:01 PM:I first came on the site before the forums when there was just a newsletter and I have been hooked ever since.
Karen runs a nice family friendly forum and there are different deals posted every day throughout the day.
I have permission from my boss to visit this site for coupon codes to save money.
Just yesterday I went clicked on to vistaprint through MBB and showed my boss how to receive not only 250 free business cards but other deals as well!!!
Check it out. You won't be sorry!
Mary wrote on Jul 10, 2008 7:17 PM:Karen's site is addicting & very friendly. You should try it!
Linda wrote on Jul 10, 2008 7:21 PM:Karen's site is absolutely wonderful. I have gotten so many great deals! The site is updated constantly and offers many great bargains and discounts. I also receive Karen's newsletter which is great. My Bargain Buddy members are very special and offer so much. Karen does a fantastic job and I just want to thank her for everything she does to help everyone save money. THANK YOU KAREN! YOU ARE AWESOME........
Magie ... wrote on Jul 11, 2008 5:28 AM:Karen puts a lot of time into "My Bargain Buddy" ("MBB") and those of us who have joined appreciate all her hard work. Contributions by members are also helpful in the Freebies, Recipes, Sweepstakes forums and the Chit-Chat forum sorta cements our virtual friendships. This is a wonderful place to save when you're shoppping, either every day or for a special occasion, to when just "hang out" with people who become friends, to find new recipes and even enter sweepstakes. If you're looking for a place to save, have fun, learn new stuff and meet new friends, MBB fills the bill. . .check it out, try it on and see if it fits.
Magie wrote on Jul 11, 2008 5:29 AM:Karen puts a lot of time into "My Bargain Buddy" ("MBB") and those of us who have joined appreciate all her hard work. Contributions by members are also helpful in the Freebies, Recipes, Sweepstakes forums and the Chit-Chat forum sorta cements our virtual friendships. This is a wonderful place to save when you're shoppping, either every day or for a special occasion, to when just "hang out" with people who become friends, to find new recipes and even enter sweepstakes. If you're looking for a place to save, have fun, learn new stuff and meet new friends, MBB fills the bill. . .check it out, try it on and see if it fits.
Christy wrote on Jul 11, 2008 8:28 AM:I have been a member of My Bargain Buddy since Karen started it. Not only have a saved loads of money there I have met some REALLY great friends! We even have games in the forums section along with the freebies, bargains and many other topics. I get freebies in my mailbox everyday, it is great!
Thanks Karen for all your hard work!
Another bonus that means a lot to me is Karen does not share/sell my email address like so many other sites do.
Christy
Deb wrote on Jul 11, 2008 10:42 AM:This a great site! Freebies, amd comments on stores and coupons.. Great people on the site... We love it! Stop by and join the fun...Always help there if you need it..
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