
The Shopping Bags
The Shopping Bags was a Canadian television series that aired on the W Network in Canada and on Fine Living in the United States. Launched in 2002, the series focused on consumer affairs and better shopping. Each week the program looked at several goods and services to discover which one was the best. This was also done to guide viewers towards which product or service may best suit their needs. The program looked at day-to-day shopping and big ticket items, as well as having a final "Shopping Thought" at the end of each program.
- Created By
- First Aired on
Jan 01, 2001
- Popularity: 3.3844
- 0 votes
- Networks
- (CA)
- Status: Returning Series
In Production
7 seaons till Mar 19, 2007
Last episode: Back to School Special: Backpacks, MP3 Players, Cookies, Crayons
Seasons & episodes
Total 7 seasons, 34 episodes

Season 1
Aired
Episode 1Video Cameras, Dog Food, Radiance Makeup and Mystery Shopper min
The Shopping Bags put three different formats of video camera to a tough test- how will they perform at a four-year-old's birthday party? Also in this episode, veterinarians battle it out over just what the best kind of food is for dogs; And when Kristina and Anna enlist the help of three women to test radiance makeup products, the results surprise everyone. And the Mystery Shopper uses The Shopping Bags' bag of tricks to get a discount on a video camera.
Episode 2Teeth-Whitening, Treadmills, Self-Tanners and Mystery Shopper min
Trying to polish up that smile? The Shopping Bags look at toothpastes, gels and laser treatments to see which process gets teeth whitest and brightest. Later in the show, find out how to buy a treadmill. Studies show it’s the most effective piece of cardio equipment. Anna and Kristina find out how much you really need to spend on this expensive machine. And say goodbye to those orange tans of yesteryear. The Bags test out 10 kinds of self-tanners to find out which ones are best at delivering that honey-bronzed glow. And if you don’t like the tanning product, can you take it back? The Mystery Shopper heads out to make a return, without the receipt.
Episode 3Bottled Water, Stain Removers, Airline Deals and Mystery Shopper min
Not all bottled water is created equal. There are a few things to know about reading the label on that bottle of H2O. The Shopping Bags will tell you what you need to know. They also set up a beach side water taste test, where a clear favourite emerges. Also, Anna and Kristina go back in time to test three kinds of stain removers – a chemical one, an environmentally friendly product and medley of home remedies. And what’s the best way to get a deal on an airline ticket? Through a travel agent? Online? Or going directly through the airline? The Shopping Bags set up a travel challenge and find the answer. And are airline upgrades a thing of the past? The Mystery Shopper takes a trip to find out.
Episode 4Perfume, On-line Grocers, Laptop Computers and Mystery Shopper min
Why does a bottle of perfume cost so much? The Shopping Bags talk to a perfume expert (did you know there was such a thing?) to find out the secrets of making, choosing and wearing that special scent. They also set up a test to find out if people can tell the difference between the real thing and knockoffs. Armed with a grocery list, Anna and Kristina go shopping – both in the supermarket and online to find out if ordering your groceries over the Internet really delivers. With Anna in the market for some new hardware, The Bags make buying a laptop computer easy to understand. And a lesson in buying big ticket items; the Mystery Shopper learns how important it is to do your homework before you head to the store.
Episode 5Nail Polish, Energy Bars, Hybrid Cars and Mystery Shopper min
The Shopping Bags test out ten different kinds of nail polish to see which brands really hold up to the wear and tear of daily life - we're talking about stuff like dishing washing, gardening and even rock climbing! Energy bars are a popular snack, but how healthy are they really? A nutritionist gives us a few points to chew on before we settle on this snack. And are hybrid cars the way of the future? Anna and Kristina get behind the wheel to test drive this part electric, part gas vehicle. Looking to buy a new vehicle? Our mystery shopper has some lessons on negotiating the deal.