3 On Your Side: Apps For Holiday Shopping
By Jim Donovan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- More people than ever are shopping with a smartphone this holiday season.
CNET Tech Expert Bridget Carey says there are plenty of new apps that can save time and money.
"It's really giving you the edge," she says.
If you're at the mall, apps like Shopular alert you to deals at nearby stores, and you can redeem your coupon right at the register.
Want to make sure you're getting the best price on a product? Apps like Shop Savvy and Red Laser offer a bar code scanner.
"I point my camera at the barcode itself, without any effort, it scans it and I can see what the other price is at other retailers," Carey explains.
If you find it cheaper at another store or even online, many major retailers, including Best Buy and Target, will match the price.
Scan your receipt and the Return Guru app will keep it on your phone, even alerting you when a return period is about to expire. Just be sure to keep the receipt, as some retailers require the original for a return.
And if you're tired of carrying all those store loyalty cards, the Keyring app lets you scan loyalty cards and keep all of them in your phone.
Some major retailers are also offering their own apps: Target, Walmart, Toys R Us and Macy's are among them, and that's for a good reason. Sixty percent of smartphone and tablet users are expected to use their devices to help them find the best deals and compare prices.
