Nov. 2, 2009 (PR Newswire) -- Annual Electronics Issue Finds the Best Retailers Are Online; Six Tips For Saving Money On Electronics This Holiday Season

YONKERS, N.Y., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the second year in a row e-tailers continue to outscore walk-in retailers according to Consumer Reports' latest survey of electronics stores. The survey was based on more than 35,000 purchases of electronics including flat-screen TVs made between January 2008 and June 2009. Vanns.com, a newcomer to the Ratings chart, was among Consumer Reports' Recommended retailers along with Amazon.com, Newegg.com and Beachcamera.com, who all stood out for great prices and more.

For shoppers that want to get up close and personal with their electronics purchase, Costco edged out other walk-in warehouse stores like Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale, with better marks for price and product quality. If price is not paramount, independent stores, Apple, Ultimate Electronics, and Ritz Camera, all offer strong service and product quality. Target and Wal-Mart were at the bottom of the list. Customers cited them as worse than others for product quality, and customer service.

In addition to retailers, the December Annual Electronics issue rates a record number of electronics products that are being offered at a value for shoppers. The full report and Ratings of 36 electronics stores are featured in the magazine's annual December Electronics issue and online at ConsumerReports.org.

Six Ways To Save Money When Shopping For Electronics

Whether buying online or in a brick-and-mortar store, Consumer Reports recommends the following 6 money-savings secrets that can help consumers stick to their budget this holiday season:

1. Check for early sales and monitor prices. Traditionally, Black Friday
offers the first blowout sales of the holiday season. This year,
consumers should expect to see electronic retailers cutting prices a week
or more before.  Track prices from early November on.  Consumers who do
buy early should check the retailer's return and price-matching policies
in case the price drops further or you see something better for less
later.
2. Don't rule out multitasking models.  For the most part, products that
multitask don't perform their secondary tasks as well as the best
stand-alone models.  But Consumer Reports has found that some
multitaskers are worth considering with all-in-one printers that can
scan, copy and more leading the way.  There is also a growing numbers of
TVs and Blu-ray players that can connect to the Internet and more digital
cameras that have the ability to shoot HD-format video.
3. Consider online retailers.