What better way to avoid holiday crowds than shopping on the Web? But with so many choices out there, how do you know if you"re buying from a reputable dealer or some fly-by-night operation that"ll make off with your credit card number and never be heard from again? The Official Best of the Web Shopping Guide 2001 aims to put your mind at rest with its thorough rating system and practical suggestions for how to find your best online shopping experience. Each of the 16 chapters discuses a separate type of item; from auctions and apparel to videos and vitamins, you"ll find everything covered thoroughly. Between five and 15 sellers are rated under every category, with overall scores tied to customer service, return policy, ease of use, variety offered, and price in relation to value. Simple shaded score charts in each chapter provide the seller"s overall score, and the page number where you"ll find a lengthier review that discusses each site"s strengths and weaknesses. To help you decide which of the sites is best for you, each chapter also provides a list of questions to ask yourself in order to determine what type of experience you require. If you"re a regular buyer who likes personal assistance, one site may be better for your shopping than the impersonal giant that happens to offer better prices. On the other hand, if price is your top concern, better avoid the pricier boutiques, even if they offer free gift wrap. What you won"t find here are special or unique sites you"ve never heard of. From Toys R Us to Charles Schwab (and, of course, Amazon.com), the sites listed here tend to be biggies that have been around for a few years, with established reputations and familiar products or services. If you"re hunting for a helpful guide to reputable online retailers, this is an excellent choice. --Jill Lightner