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CAPITAL REGION
Local shops hope for Cyber Monday boost
Merchants ready online stores
BY AMEERAH CETAWAYO Gazette Reporter

    Some local shops are banking on specialty items and customer service to stand out on Cyber Monday — said to be one of the biggest days of the online holiday shopping season — with offers of special prices, free shipping and other promotions to attract those who want to shop from the office or home.
    Impressions of Saratoga owner Marianne Barker, who has been doing Cyber Monday promotions for more than five years, said her store doesn’t strive for gimmicks. “We go for the good service,” she said.
    Out-of-town guests that come to Saratoga Springs in the summer or people who have left the area but still consider the city home often buy online based on nostalgia, she said.
    But offering free shipping last year didn’t have an effect on sales.
    “People come to us because they can get good service and they can call and get their question answered. They know they can call here and get a voice,” Barker said. The store has been working fiendishly to get their Web site updated, adding several new products and sending e-mails to prep customers for the special holiday sale. ...................>>>>...........................>>>>..............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01200&AppName=1