Monday is the Black Friday of the Internet world. It's known as 'Cyber Monday', the ceremonial kickoff to the online shopping season.
Online shoppers say one of the perks is they can snag a few gifts during their lunch break or when they get home from work without venturing into a mall.
For some, it's the thrill of finding the right shirt, item, or gift in the store.
"As long as there are no crowds, I like to shop when it's quiet," said Megan Johnson.
But, there's no escaping crowds during the holiday shopping season.
"It's frustrating because the male perspective is, 'OK, I know which store I want to go to, I know what I want to get, but I can't even get a parking place to get the whole thing started," said John Plitt.
Plitt shops online. In fact, he bought a file cabinet Monday morning, at first unaware it was Cyber Monday.
"I didn't realize it was such a phenomenon, that there are so many deals out there," said Plitt.
The deals range from a percentage off to free shipping. Many are one-day-sales, some even hourly.
Still, regardless of savings, cyber world shopping isn't for everyone, including Johnson. "I like physically being able to touch it, see it, feel it," said Johnson.
So while Plitt window-shops through his computer screen this month, Johnson will hit the mall, perhaps a few times.
"Actually all the shopping I did Saturday was for myself, so I still have all my Christmas shopping to do," said Plitt.
The National Retail Federation expects 85-million people will shop online Cyber Monday. That's up from 18 percent from last year. The National Retail Federation says more than half of the online shoppers will be at work.
