A man is seen typing on his laptop. (Photo credit Lili Warren/AFP/Getty Images)
CHICAGO (CBS) – On Cyber Monday, business was booming.
Retailers expected to ring up $1.2 billion in online sales by the end of the day. It’s only the second time that’s happened in one day.
But are all the good holiday deals history already?
Experts agree that if you missed out on the cyber deals early on Monday, you will find some bargains out there. But you may have to wait a few weeks for the deepest discounts.
Brad Wilson tracks good buys for his coupon website, Bradsdeals.com.
“It’s really a shop early, shop late kind of strategy,” he tells CBS 2’s Pamela Jones. “Thanksgiving weekend, the retailers start off with a bang and pricing is great. The discounting lessens, prices level off for three or four weeks when everyone is out shopping.”
“I do like last-minute shopping, and shopping after Christmas as well,” he adds. “The week between Christmas and New Year’s is particularly strong.”
Wilson advises shoppers should always be able to get free shipping in online purchases.
Brittany Gonzalez of Best Buy agrees it isn’t over for deal-seekers.
“On bestbuy.com there’s always a deal of the day. And then, we have an ad every week with great deals,” she said.
Retailers are reporting a successful Black Friday and were hoping for more good news on Cyber Monday.
Sales were up seven percent over last year, according to ShopperTrak, which said buyers spent more than $11 billion on Friday alone.
That’s the most ever for Black Friday, the biggest year-to-year increase since 2007.
But cash could be a competitor for retailers.
A Western Union survey found that 83 percent of consumers would rather receive $50 in cash than a $50 gift.
Plenty of online retailers offered big discounts Monday.
Best Buy is offering a $10 gift card with a $100 purchase.
Kmart is offering free shipping on qualifying purchases more than $49.
At Macy’s, free shipping is available on purchases greater than $75, but clearance items are 25-to-40 percent off.
And amazon.com is offering the Kindle DX for $259, down from a usual $379.
Online sales on Black Friday were up 26 percent from last year.
