Suppose a customer wants to price a new washer. They go to the home-electronics section, click on washing machines, and choose the brand. Next, they enter the upper and lower limit of what they're willing to spend. Another click, and up comes a list with the names of e-tailers, the models, and prices that fall within that range. The customer can then be whisked to the online shopkeeper's site to do the deal.
Buyers also can check out consumer ratings of the products they're interested in buying.
Convenience may be the big lure. Take Asami Kimura. The central locale is fine for Asami's new husband, who commutes to a nearby office. But it's a nightmare for Asami, who must drive through narrow back streets in heavy traffic to shop for essentials and then haul them up to her fourth-floor apartment. DealTime helps me find the cheapest way to get heavy bottles delivered to my door,'' says Asami.