Let InvisibleHand guide you to better buying

Oct 21, 2009 by     37 Comments    Posted under: Technology

It’s not too often that I get really jazzed about browser plugins, but this one, InvisbleHand is simply too genius NOT to get jazzed about. The concept is simple enough, but no one’s gone the distance to actually write the script. Until now.

hand

InvisibleHand is a firefox addon that will let you know when a product you’re viewing is available elsewhere at a lower price. If you’re like me, you might go to one of the big guys first to have detailed product descriptions, images, etc., and then likely begin the Googling to find it at a better price. InvisibleHand does the work for you (and probably does a better job).

cheaper you say

When browsing for products on the big ones, Best Buy, Amazon, Overstock, Borders, etc., InvisibleHand will slide open from the toolbar alerting you that the item you’re looking at could be purchased elsewhere on the cheap.

other retailers

Not only will InvisibleHand give you the absolute rock bottom price, but also present you with options from other retailers, sorted by price.

In this example, I chose a MBP, but the plugin works with a wide variety of popular electronics, toys, games, books, home improvement, DIY gear, etc. The full list is here.

I put InvisibleHand through it’s paces, even looking for some rather obscure gear on Crutchfield, and the plugin performed beautifully. The largest savings I (would have) recorded was a decent $123.87 on an HD video camera. And all of this for free? Bonus!

Check out InvisibleHand today, and get the Christmas savings going on early this year!

Update: the good folks over at invisible hand are doing a great job with their PR, and just sent me (and 200 of you) an exclusive beta key for their upcoming version.  Leave a comment below, and I’ll ping the code on over to you. :)

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  • http://www.sandgardenhomes.com/ Jeff Lopez

    hmmm, will this work on craigslist under the those “special” services? i would rather not have to haggle — it ruins the mood.

  • http://www.sandgardenhomes.com/ Jeff Lopez

    hmmm, will this work on craigslist under the those “special” services? i would rather not have to haggle — it ruins the mood.

  • http://www.turnthescrew.com/ Dan Taylor

    Ha! I personally haven’t tested this method – if/when you do, let me know the results. ;)

  • http://www.turnthescrew.com Dan Taylor

    Ha! I personally haven’t tested this method – if/when you do, let me know the results. ;)

  • http://www.teraanga.com/ Brian

    How intersting! I can think of one person (wife) who is the quintessential bargain finder. I’ll have her check this out.

  • http://www.teraanga.com Brian

    How intersting! I can think of one person (wife) who is the quintessential bargain finder. I’ll have her check this out.

  • http://www.pimplesonbuttocks.com/ WorldsCollide

    That’s a nice plugin. I am always comparing prices manually whenever I order a bunch of new DVDs. I am cheap so even saving 1 buck per DVD will make me happy :)

  • http://www.pimplesonbuttocks.com WorldsCollide

    That’s a nice plugin. I am always comparing prices manually whenever I order a bunch of new DVDs. I am cheap so even saving 1 buck per DVD will make me happy :)

  • http://dallas-debtrelief.com/ Big D little a double l a s

    That’s a cool plugin, I will use it in the future. :)

  • http://dallas-debtrelief.com Big D little a double l a s

    That’s a cool plugin, I will use it in the future. :)

  • http://www.apostas.cc/ apostas

    That’s a really good plugin and it saves searching time. How often I spent hours just to find cheaper products. Do you know if this plugin is browsing on english websites only?

  • http://www.apostas.cc apostas

    That’s a really good plugin and it saves searching time. How often I spent hours just to find cheaper products. Do you know if this plugin is browsing on english websites only?

  • http://www.reversephonedetectiveweb.co.cc/ Dave

    Well it certainly is an application we could all use. The thing will need to prove to me that I need it. :p

  • http://www.reversephonedetectiveweb.co.cc Dave

    Well it certainly is an application we could all use. The thing will need to prove to me that I need it. :p

  • http://www.turnthescrew.com/ Dan Taylor

    @apostas – I believe so…at least for now.

  • http://www.turnthescrew.com Dan Taylor

    @apostas – I believe so…at least for now.

  • http://www.apostas.cc/ apostas

    Ok thanks, then waiting for advancement.

  • http://www.apostas.cc apostas

    Ok thanks, then waiting for advancement.

  • http://www.kevins.biz/ Tom

    That is a great way to save a few bucks and I have had some nice results shopping for dvd’s and cd’s with it.

  • http://www.kevins.biz Tom

    That is a great way to save a few bucks and I have had some nice results shopping for dvd’s and cd’s with it.

  • http://www.jhankar.pk/ Monte

    That’s a cool plugin. I am always comparing prices manually whenever I order a bunch of new DVDs.

  • http://www.jhankar.pk Monte

    That’s a cool plugin. I am always comparing prices manually whenever I order a bunch of new DVDs.

  • http://www.freebingobonus.co.uk/ Erik

    I always search the internet for reviews and then for prices. the last part is gone now thanks for the plugin.

  • http://www.freebingobonus.co.uk Erik

    I always search the internet for reviews and then for prices. the last part is gone now thanks for the plugin.

  • http://bindapple.com/ Apple

    I do the same thing, first i gel all the info on the product then i start searching for the best price. But, while it may be helpful in getting you the best price, how about the quality of the product? What if it finds some cheap chinese replica of what i need? I didn`t use this plugin yet so i can`t really make an objective point of view, but thanks for highlighting it`s features.

  • http://bindapple.com Apple

    I do the same thing, first i gel all the info on the product then i start searching for the best price. But, while it may be helpful in getting you the best price, how about the quality of the product? What if it finds some cheap chinese replica of what i need? I didn`t use this plugin yet so i can`t really make an objective point of view, but thanks for highlighting it`s features.

  • http://histame.com/ Foodie

    it’s a really useful plugin! I can save a few bucks by using this! I am not good in buying things so this will save me from wasting money! Thanks a lot!

  • http://histame.com/ Foodie

    it’s a really useful plugin! I can save a few bucks by using this! I am not good in buying things so this will save me from wasting money! Thanks a lot!

  • http://www.freemoneyforbills.org/ Joyce @ Free Money

    Thats an awesome plugin, i’d love to use it, im sure it will save a lotta time, manual comparing is a pain. Let me know the results how it works. Thanks for the post, very useful :)

  • http://www.freemoneyforbills.org Joyce @ Free Money

    Thats an awesome plugin, i’d love to use it, im sure it will save a lotta time, manual comparing is a pain. Let me know the results how it works. Thanks for the post, very useful :)

  • http://toysperiod.com/ Sally Thompson

    The title of this story is interesting because it is the central image that Adam Smith used to describe the mystical way in which an unseen or invisible hand (the free market) controls prices, supply, profit, etc.

    So, I can’t help making a connection here. The act of shopping for the best prices is part of the overall activity of a free market.

    It is interesting to note that even the Communist Party under Stalin when asked if they would want the whole world to be under their control. They responded, “Yes, except for one country, any country at all, would need to be capitalist so that we would know what the prices are.

    That invisible hand again.

  • http://toysperiod.com Sally Thompson

    The title of this story is interesting because it is the central image that Adam Smith used to describe the mystical way in which an unseen or invisible hand (the free market) controls prices, supply, profit, etc.

    So, I can’t help making a connection here. The act of shopping for the best prices is part of the overall activity of a free market.

    It is interesting to note that even the Communist Party under Stalin when asked if they would want the whole world to be under their control. They responded, “Yes, except for one country, any country at all, would need to be capitalist so that we would know what the prices are.

    That invisible hand again.

  • http://www.acheter-acekard-2i.com/ Acheter acekard

    Hello, I’m french. So i don’t understand everything but what i understand is very interesting. Thanks

  • http://www.acheter-acekard-2i.com Acheter acekard

    Hello, I’m french. So i don’t understand everything but what i understand is very interesting. Thanks

  • sms love messages

    great work thank sand i like it also on the facebook:)

  • http://decentsms.com/category/english-sms english sms

    great and awesome plugin :) hats off

  • Pipe Leaks

    Hmm

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