While eBay, Amazon, and other e-commerce heavies are getting all the attention from people who like to do their shopping online, Craigslist is still one of the best places to find electronics for cheap. This free online classifieds site might be a little intimidating at first, but you can find some great deals if you're willing to do some digging.

It's best to think of Craigslist as a kind of online garage sale: you never know what you're going to find. It's nothing like eBay; it's just a place where people can post want-ads and "for sale" notices. Neither a newspaper nor Craigslist is responsible for how the transaction goes between you and the person who created the ad.

To start looking for electronics on Craigslist, just visit the website and select your city, town, or state. Click on the "Electronics" category and browse to see what kind of ads are listed. You can use the search box to help narrow things down and find something specific, like an iPod or a headset. When you see something that appears to be what you're looking for, click on the link that allows you to contact the seller. Ask questions and try to get details. Remember that this is a real person you'll be dealing with, so be polite when you ask questions.

You'll probably need to be patient. You may not find what you're looking for the first few times you browse Craigslist. Even if you do, you still have to wait for the seller to get in touch with you. However, patience and persistence can pay off.