About a year and a bit ago Groupon hit us via email in a big way. With so much internet hacking and high risk of identity theft my first thoughts of buying online resounded with sirens and the gaurantee that its too good to be true. However, and here it is ladies and gentlemen, I did it anyway along with the rest of the country who would, in this current economic climate, do anything to have their cake and eat it!
It didn't take me long to figure (as did their competition) that Groupon wasn't the only online bargain buying website. Daddy's Deals sponsored by Kulula.com is currently my favourite and yes people believe it or not I'm on the consumer jury for Cityslicker.co.za! 123deals and Ubuntu Deals have also popped up, recently rewarding me with my first ever stay over to the Mabalingwe Resort in Bela Bela. 2 people, 2 nights, both with dinner - R1200! Just the weekend break I need and right in my budget!
Theres something a little weird though about the whole thing. So many factors that make you wonder why the hell you didn't manage to barta your way down in the first place with these people? Are we just accepting the prices we see from suppliers? How on earth do these establishments manage to discount a 2 night stay and still make money? Well apparently some of them don't! A little bird told me that some of these companies manage to give away 85% discount and then still have to pay over a percentage of up to 30% of their profits to the discount providers.
The other thing is that its ridiculously addictive! I sit on my computer/iPad/cellphone daily searching for that one thing I'm going to spend my last R438.56 in my cheque account on!
While a couple of my friends have had some very gross experiences (such as going to get moles removed from a 'well recognised clinic' and walking away with pussy sores for the dirty rooms she sat in) for the most part all of my discounted deals have been fabulous!
From reduced rates on expo entries to dinner for 4 at half the price to full day spa's for 2 at R700, how do you blame me? Its not to say I have no control, on most days I just shop with my eyes but the famous FOMO mentality kicks in and we find ourselves back on the sites considering debt counselling versus a trip for 2 to Zanzibar for a limited time only! (FOMO - Fear of Missing Out)
So it works then and I guess I should be grateful for my new mani/pedi and breakfast to my favourite restaurant for R25 a person! Ugh or maybe I'll just need to learn to curb the temptation by unsubscribing? FOMO alert!
Until then who wants to join me for those dinners, hmmm?
Do you have any discount dilemmas or scary stories to tell? Perhaps a good experience that deserves recommendation? Please share by commenting on this post.
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