2014 Cyber Monday Deals: Walmart, Amazon Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop With Online Sales

Cyber Monday is the most wonderful time of the year for online shoppers, with Amazon and Walmart kicking off a week of online deals on just about everything on your holiday list. If you didn’t brave the long lines on Black Friday, you’re not alone. ABC News reports that a Nielsen study indicates that 55 percent more consumers plan to shop on Cyber Monday over Black Friday, and they will spend more online than they did in-store.

“The average shopper spends $468 on Cyber Monday, compared with $309 on Black Friday, according to an AOL survey.”

Aside from discounts on popular items like TVs, video game bundles, DVDs, toys, and clothing, the lure of free shipping and the ability to shop from home — or during a lunch break in the office — is a big plus for many shoppers who just don’t have time to fight the crowds in brick and mortar stores.

What are the best deals during this week of Cyber Monday sales? Walmart and Amazon are staying competitive with the deals on TVs, tablets, and Xbox/PS3 games and consoles, so comparing prices is always a good idea.

Deals listed in Amazon Cyber Week sale include 35 percent off Samsung TVs, half-off the popular line of LeapFrog toys, and the $79 for a Kindle Fire HD. Walmart’s deals are similar — a Sanyo 58 TV at $300 off; the popular Nintendo 3DS XL New Super Mario Bros 2 bundle priced at $149; and an Apple iPad mini for $219 tops a long, long list of sale items.

Both sites offer free shipping, but Walmart requires a $50 minimum purchase and you’ll need Amazon Prime to get free two-day shipping.

The downside to Cyber Monday shopping is the possibility that your credit card will be hacked online, with the Huffington Post stating that “increased purchasing activity on this day is appealing to thieves” who are hoping to capture your credit card information.

“Shoppers can expect a flurry of Cyber Monday ads spamming their inboxes… In addition to legitimate email advertisements, Cyber Monday also attracts its fair share of email phishing scams that pose as authentic ads or deal messages.”

Check your credit card statement frequently to make sure your card wasn’t compromised, but not just when you’re shopping online — credit card hackers, as we all know from last year’s Target debacle, can hit in-store as well.

While deals will be plentiful on Cyber Monday, consumers who want to procrastinate can look forward to Free Shipping Day (December 18) and plenty of last-minute deals from retailers who want consumers to keep coming back right up until Christmas Eve.

[Image: Time and Date]