This is the time of year that you can count on the best deals for just about any kind of electronic gadget you have on your shopping list.

But a word of warning: the lowest price is rarely the best deal.

Shopping for electronics solely based on the price plays right into the hands of retailers that are only interested in moving product.

In order to be the cheapest in any category, the manufacturer has to cut corners because the gross margins in electronics are so thin.

This can result in batteries that don’t stay charged very long, compatibility issues with software and apps or in some cases, security holes in the device.

Stick to name brand products from retailers that you know that have a liberal return policy.

The cheaper the product, the more research you need to do before making the purchase.

Finding user feedback on any gadget is easy; just search for the device followed by the word ‘review’.

If you can’t find anything online, take a pass or risk becoming a guinea pig!