Whether it’s the latest TomTom navigator or the new Sony Playstation… unfortunately gadgets and gizmos aren’t always cheap. Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can save money on the latest electronics. Let’s take a look at five different strategies the savvy shopper can use:

1. Online Price Comparison

This may seem like a no-brainer, but the bottom line is everyday millions of shopper flock to Best Buy, Sharper Image, and elsewhere… without even checking prices online before they do so! It’s always a good idea to compare prices (via Google Product Search, Shopzilla, etc.) before you head out to the store. Sometimes it’s cheaper online, other times not. Either way, you won’t know until you check!

2. Check The Auctions

Nowadays, many complain that the deals on eBay aren’t what they used to be, but sometimes you can still snag a great price! It’s always a good idea to see what the item you want is going for via auction. However it’s important to remember that shipping on that new 60” LED TV might cost you a couple hundred bucks, so keep that in mind when comparing the price. Also, you may still need to pay sales tax even though it’s an online order.

3. Credit Cards With Rewards On Electronics

As we all know, there are a plethora of credit card deals on the market today. Many of them are worthless, but there are a few that have gotten good reviews – like the Sony credit card deal – which gives 5 points per dollar for purchases from Sony. Meanwhile, others like the eBay credit card review aren’t too favorable. Sometimes credit cards can save you money, other times they may not be worth the hassle.

4. Using Store Membership Reward Programs

Not many stores offer this, but there are some (like Best Buy) which offer free enrollment in a rewards program. Basically, they work by giving you points for your purchases at their store. After you accumulate a certain amount, you can cash them out for a gift certificate to buy more gadgets! Best Buy’s program is called the “Reward Zone” and it gives you 1 point per dollar spent. Every 250 points equals a $5 gift certificate. That’s like getting 2% cash back for your purchases at their store. It may not be much, but if you bought a $2,000 TV, that $40 in rewards could be used to pay for its HDMI cable.

5. Negotiate Prices On Big Ticket Items

Most people don’t realize how many places you can negotiate prices on. On the last two laptops I bought at Best Buy, I was able to negotiate the price down by $40. The catch was they couldn’t subtract the $40 from the price of the computer, so instead they gave me $40 off anything else I wanted. If an eBay seller has a “buy-it-now” price, try emailing them and offering just a little bit lower. A lot of times, the seller will do it if it’s only a little bit less.