Hoosiers look for Cyber Monday deals

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Hoosiers are watching their favorite sites on Cyber Monday. The marketing term Cyber Monday started in November of 2005. Companies coined the phrase to persuade people to shop online the Monday after Thanksgiving.

The marketing campaign has worked. Shoppers will spend $1.5 billion online on Monday and that’s just in the U.S. according to experts. Big retailers are offering major discounts to those who shop online.

In previous years most consumers made their purchases on their employer’s computers. That has changed and most people are now using their smartphones and tablets to make their sales.

24-Hour News 8 surveyed several Hoosier shoppers on why they choose to shop online as opposed to going to the stores.

“I don’t fight with the crowds; I will go online,” said shopper Anjel Nero.

We found several online retailers who are offering payment plans, discounts, and layaways to entice potential buyers from the confines of their desk at work or couch at home.

“It’s crazy out there,” said Brett Brewer. “You can get all of your shopping done in three hours online instead of spending days on in the stores.”

One local expert said when shopping on Cyber Monday, customers should look for added incentives from online retailers.

"You're actually going to see better deals online on Cyber Monday than what you are on Black Friday because what the merchants know is that people go back to work on Monday and they shop from work," Tricia Meyer of SunshineRewards.com said. "On Cyber Monday you want to be looking for percentage off, you might be looking for buy one get one deals, you might be looking for flat rate off, $10 off of $50 and free shipping on top of that."

Experts believe Thanksgiving Day is now growing as the second busiest online shopping day of the year.