They’re popping up all over the Internet and social media — daily deal sites promising big savings on food, fun and services. But are the deals really worth downloading?
My advice, don’t get caught up in the excitement too quickly.
Laurie Meyers, owner of Coupon Sense, says businesses want you say goodbye to your hard-earned money because that’s what keeps them in business. Their goal is for you to spend your cash.
ABC15 viewer Tara Hughes says she uses the daily deal sites to try something new. But she learned pretty quickly not every deal is as good as it looks.
We found many are limited, in some cases only valid Tuesday through Thursday. Others restrict how many people in your party can actually use the deal.
Take this Groupon deal from Roka Akor in Scottsdale.
It offers $20 worth of food for just $8. Great deal! But look a little closer — dine in only, and limit one per table.
Hughes tells us she would end up eating all by herself because her friends couldn’t use their vouchers and they wouldn’t be able to afford to pay full price. She says it defeats the purpose of the deal.
Meyers says sometimes a deal becomes so popular it can ruin the fun for everyone.
“These companies are not prepared for the volume that they can get when they participate in a daily deal,” says Meyers.
Which means it can be nearly impossible to schedule a service you’ve already paid for.
Also be sure to research the location of the business to ensure you’re willing to make the drive.
Several viewers emailed us about a movie deal offering more than half off tickets. The only problem? No nearby theaters would accept the voucher.
Also, just because you see a restaurant voucher for half off doesn’t mean it’s a good deal. Check online reviews like Yelp to see what others have to say about the restaurant. Getting a good deal on a bad meal isn’t really worth the savings.
And check prices at specific stores before you buy. A $25 voucher to a clothing store isn’t a great deal if everything starts at $100.
Ask yourself this question — will you have the time to actually redeem the deal?
Businesses say about 40 percent of the daily deals they offer go unused.
That’s because life happens, and many of us get distracted with other things and forget about the deals until they are close to expiring.
The good news… You might be able to get your money back.
Meyers says there are a couple sites that will let you re-sell your coupons. She recommends Lifesta.com , Dealsgoround.com , and CoupRecoup.com .
And for those you end up using… Be careful not to spend more than you intended.
Remember to consider exactly what you can pay before buying the deal.
For example, even with 50 percent off at a restaurant, you still need to consider the tip, taxes and if you end up ordering alcohol. After all is said and done, it may end up being out of your budget.
So don’t let the excitement of getting a good deal cause you to make an impulse buy.
“If you’re spending $50 on these things a week or even a month, that money put in the bank, you may be able to have a better more exciting experience at the end of the year,” Meyers suggests.
Take it from me, deals can be awesome if you do your research and deal with reputable companies.
abc15.com
By Daphne Munro/Quita Jackson | July 18, 2011
http://www.abc15.com/dpp/money/consumer/smart_shopper/seems-like-a-great-deal%2C-half-off%2C-but-how-much-are-you-really-saving-once-you-read-the-fine-print
