Houston's ashford.com reminds me of an airport duty-free shop, where none of the superpricey goods grabs my fancy right away. But if my plane is delayed long enough, I begin to appreciate the subtle appeal of designer fragrances and expensive jewelry. Ashford.com says it sells "the stuff you really, really want," like a Rolex President ($15,900) or a Montblanc Solitaire platinum fountain pen ($12,400). I had intended to order something for myself—say, a loose 1.02 carat diamond ($4,650) or a pair of Revo sunglasses ($219.40)—but the only thing I found that I could afford was a Dooney and Bourke key case ($20), and I didn't really, really want it.

KUDOS Well organized, easily navigable, and chock-full of product descriptions.

GRIPES Takes itself too seriously; a floral print is actually described as "whimsical."

Bookmark heritagecoin.com if you want to snag an 1885 dime at auction for $3,000 (the going bid when I checked in), add a 1907 proof Indian eagle ten-dollar piece to your collection for $250,000, or read up on James Earle Fraser, the creator of the Indian head-buffalo nickel. Packed with crisp photos and reams of information, this site, created by Heritage Rare Coin Galleries of Dallas, will have even novice numismatists examining the change in their pockets and picking up pennies in parking lots looking for rarities.

KUDOS Complete; you can view the shop's entire $20 million inventory online.

GRIPES Search engines are the coin of the online realm—but this site doesn't have one.

Leave it to Dallas' best-known retailer to produce a must-see upscale e-tail site. At Neimanmarcus.com, you can procure the necessities for a pearl-and-cashmere lifestyle from a subdued but posh selection: say, a Calvin Klein gown for $1,090 or a Dweck bronze bracelet for a mere $1,550. I love it that the Essentials category includes bumblebee hair clips and opera-length black satin gloves. I know I'd hate to be stranded anywhere without them.

KUDOS Like the stores, the site offers great customer service; a toll-free phone number and other contact information are prominent on every page.

GRIPES Slooooow loading. All the money in the world can't make the day any longer.