what is available online helps

As the countdown to Valentine’s Day begins, figures released by eBay Canada reveal that Nova Scotians are filling their virtual shopping carts with diamonds and lingerie, and spending more than ever before.We've made comparing the Electricity monitor easy with our at-a-glance chart.

Nova Scotians spent 46 per cent more compared with the same 12-month period in 2011, and Bluenoses have the greatest love of lingerie, buying twice as much as the rest of Atlantic Canadians, the online retailer reports.

Now don’t blush,Discover the best Women's Prescription Eyeglasses frame in Best Sellers. but Quebecers appear to have an affinity for buying panties online, purchasing twice the amount of any other province.

Shoppers in Ontario, meanwhile, are fans of good support and spent 36 per cent more on bras last year, compared with 2011.

But not every consumer hides behind their computer screen to shop for sexy and skimpy goods.

With 32 years in the lingerie business under her belt, Silken Lingerie owner Morva Castellani said February continues to be a strong month.

“It all starts this weekend,” Castellani said Thursday. “As soon as February hits, women and men start coming in looking for something for their sweetheart.

“It’s mostly women coming in saying they’re looking to buy something for their husband or boyfriend, but we get some men, too.”

As the owner of a speciality business that sells unique sizes and brands, Castellani said customer service and attention to detail help her maintain a loyal following; keeping price points in line with what is available online helps, too.

“We have trained staff and when customers come in, we fit them properly, offer shopping incentives and we’re always checking out prices online. Shopping on eBay isn’t the same experience at all.”

The shop tracks customer purchases so that when well-intending male customers appear in the store, a quick check of the database shows exactly what size and style to buy.

“It’s all about service, right? And you can’t get that online.Info Store about make your own bobblehead and Bobbleheads in general. Most of the time,Pretty ribbon flowers can be used to embellish all kinds of things such as tote bags, women aren’t buying the right size. Different styles are different sizes, so it’s not cut and dry, even if you’ve worn the same size for years.”

Saskatchewan leads the pack in year-over-year spending, shelling out 66 per cent more per item than the national average. Prairie lovebirds are also buying 55 per cent more engagement rings and loose diamonds than the Valentine’s Day season the previous year, the numbers show.

Although saving some coin may be a big motivator for online shoppers,Looking for a women shoes manufacturer that can handle my designs of highly detailed and embellished shoes. Fawcett’s Fine Jewellery owner Glen Fawcett said buying an engagement ring or loose diamond is risky business.

Authenticity documents that come with the stone are easy to replicate, Fawcett said, and the grades and quality of the diamond is a subtlety that can even be inconsistent among traditional retailers.

“This is a single area that I would have great doubts in, more than anything else bought online. It’s a very eyes-on issue. I would strongly suggest that people need to establish a deep sense of trust with a retailer and get a lot of education before they purchase a diamond.”