I know many people who refuse to use vouchers because they feel ashamed/ perceive they will looked upon as 'cheap'.
However, when the voucher doesn't involve a physical copy/showing your phone, they are more than happy to take up the deal.
How do you feel about using vouchers?
Edit: If you're voting Yes, please give reason.
Getting rejected because its in electronic form, is the worst kind of rejection. I'm sure it leaves a sour taste for many people.
I found groupon voucher the worst to used to point i will not go some place any more.
What happened that made you stop using it?
@GameChanger:I had been going to an Indian place for few years Groupon came up I got 4 of them I take few mate out for a cheap feed. the manger was a total dick about staff rude about it. manager, we don't take them so calls Groupon got a list he places was on it.
Ive used scoopon and groupon on resturants too. I like going out with friends weekly to enjoy and try out new places. But 80% of the times i dont get the same treatment as other customers, always made me feel like i am unwanted in their resturant. I understand they may lose money from these deals, but you are basically paying for advertisement. There was a time where i booked a scoopon for four people, on arrival they seperated us into two groups and we were not allowed to sit together in their empty resturant. Unless we paid the "joining table price" we had to be seperated lol. It made abdolutely no sense to me, argued to manager then walked out leaving the scoopon voucher behind. So i always feel reluctant to buy scoopon and groupons many bad experiences with excellent food.
@mung12:
A lot of restaurants are small businesses and I think their expertise is in cooking etc more so than business sense.
When Groupon etc come along and say "we can give you 100s of $ up front - you have nothing to lose" then they struggle to service the bargainers flocking in let alone paying customers, they struggle.
I'm not trying to excuse bad service, just pointing out that I blame Groupon etc more than the restaurant.
@mung12: We buy group deals all the late. The only bad experience I've had is with Maya Mex in South Yarra. Good service and food, but so slow that you should clear your evening. We ordered mains and desserts all in one go, they also have a tendency to "forget" your order. 20mins for tacos when it's not busy is an issue - and that was just the starter.
@dealman: haha, not going to name and shame. I've already put a 1 star and commented my experience on their zomato. Besides their zomato is less than 60%. Doubt they would be open any longer, probably why they were doing scoopon to begin with.
@anastasiastarz: scoopon and Groupon are still a good insight to explore suburbs and food. I still buy them today. I had a similar experience, but in a busy restaurant. I enjoy drinking soft drinks with my food but they kept forgetting my can of coke 3 - 4 times. Finished my food before it got to me. Wasnt happy but got over it. Then charged me $5.20 for it. Lol. I think the can of coke I drank had gold in it. Even 5 star restaurants sell glass bottles for less than 5. And mind you, this restaurant I wouldn't even say it is 3 stars.
@SlickMick: I work part time in aa restaurant bar. My boss was struggling to earn income, let alone break even. Everyday the shop opened she loses money. We went ahead with scoopon and was well aware of the loss per scoopon sold. But we needed adertisement. The service we gave was still high standards. Days got super busy and almost impossible to manage. And had heaps of customers who abuse the scoopon by creating multiple emails and buying the vouchers… Scoopon is now finished and all of them who abused it didn't come back. My boss loss heaps of money, but what can you say? Of course we were all angry and struggled. But our top commented review is friendly staff and delicious food. Our lowest rating is 3 star. And I think it was my fault too lol (I accidently spilled some water on the customer, it was too damn busy!). Scoopon and Groupon does help. Were doing alot more than just breaking even. I believe the service / food quality comes from the restaurant itself, how good the pay towards the staff and the training.
Sorry rant over lol.
How about Entertainment Book - Digital Membership? It is all about coupons/vouchers via mobile phone.
I've had no problems using the digital membership - used it tonight for a cheap takeaway dinner
It was awkward at first, now it's OK as it's more yet hey I'm used to it. Personally I love the idea - so easy.
Changing from the gold card was weird, but I went to a restaurant and told them I had a digital entertainment book and they just watched me authenticate and all good
Only in a nice dinner situation, when showing the Entertainment Card. Although 90% of the time the discount brought me into the restaurant, and I wouldn't have gone there without it.
Every other time, dont care!
Had a corker with that one time. Handed over card at restaurant that wasn't too happy to see it. Restaurateur came back almost crowing that the card had already been used; I took one look say "not my card" and sent him back to find mine again. Never been more happy to get a discount.
Agreed. Only went there cause of the entertainment card.
I recently took my 3 kids to the pancake parlour in bris with their 3 birthday vouchers for free kids desserts + drinks. I ordered a short stack $7.95. 4 desserts = $7.95.
had dinner before hand (Korean - Madtongson - very nice food).
if people don't want to use vouchers to get a better price, and would rather pay full price, then I say great. Let the full price payers do that and therefore the business is happy (I'm assuming) to wear the "lesser profit" from voucher users.
people who are too "proud" - i read that as imbecilic- to use vouchers can supplement my discounted deal/experience.
Businesses don't offer discount if they didn't see that they attracted more business. I'm happy to utilize their business decisions for my benefit.
obviously there are other factors regarding the benefits and negatives of vouchers that others will probably vocalize.
took my 3 kids to the pancake parlour in bris with their 3 birthday vouchers for free kids desserts
Triplets?
yes, they are 10,8, 6.
I like a man with a plan. I also like even numbers and valentine's Day :)
Triplets?
yes, they are 10,8, 6.
4 years of labor? :O
Ouch! ><
Ah Pythagorean triplets, the best kind.
Ah Pythagorean triplets, the best kind.
In this case, scaled-ups are not quite as impressive as proper primitive pythagorean triplets would have been. 3,4,5 is doable. Maybe someone should take up that challenge and report back.
@wicket1120: pun + boob + maths jokes = I'm a nerd or I'm turning into JJB.
When did that happen?:-(
No. He found three willing women and impregnated them simultaneously. Everyone, a round of applause
And 2 of the kids had longer than normal gestation periods?
just 3?
people who are too "proud" - i read that as imbecilic
+1
I was waiting behind a couple at Oporto to redeem the recent free Bondi Burger deal. The service person offered them a free burger; they rejected it. The service person then offered it again emphasising and assuring that it was free; they rejected it again and paid for something else. I felt like saying, "Dude, take the free burger and give it to me!"
What you're describing altomic is called Price Discrimination, it's a way for producers to take more of the social welfare of transacting for themselves.
It almost like when you are at the supermarket and bread is at 2 for $6 and you see loads of ppl queuing to pay for 1 loaf at $4ish…..or buying the only brand of potatoes chips/chocolate that is not on sale(usually the whole aisle is filled with promo). Hahah
I had a poor petrol station attendant completely perplexed at the woman in front of me who absolutely refused to pick $5 worth of free items and then be handed something like $1.50 for doing so, thanks to the petrol voucher offer and her big purchase of petrol.
He just kept explaining it to her over and over again to her and she kept refusing, then looked to me for help explaining and I just shook my head (he had been perfectly clear, she just wasn't interested and wanted to leave - he just couldn't believe someone would do that). Makes me wonder just how much money people waste like that.
He just kept explaining it to her over and over again to her and she kept refusing
Let me guess, the attendant was a helpful indian guy recommending the discount in a Coles express ? and the lady Aussie ?
Nothing against anyone just trying to figure out the mentalities. I have had the same experience when we fill 2 cars, My local petrol station attendant is very helpful that way.
To be fair some people might want to avoid chocolate bars and so forth that these deals have.
I'm pretty sure YTW is describing a situation where the person has filled up so much that buying $5 of stuff actually saves them more money than not buying the items.
For example, at Woolworths Petrol stores, you get an additional 4c/L off (up to 150L) if you spend $5 in store. Say you filled up the full 150L, you could buy $5 of stuff, and that unlocks $6 of savings. You could even immediately throw the chocolate bars/gum/lollies/drinks in the bin on the way out and still end up ahead.
@dealman: nope. He was just a guy who works hard and values his money (as I found out in our subsequent conversations)…no idea what was the go with her. She didn't appear to be in that much of a rush, so I assume she just didn't care. But that's only my assumption.
I would have been as surprised when I was younger, but I'm old and jaded now. Seen it all before.
@pangwen: Yeah, that's right - but for some weird reason it was slightly more than that…maybe a 10c promotion or something? No idea.
So yeah, even if she'd "bought" the $5 worth of stuff and dumped them in the bin on the way out she would have been charged less…and our little petrol station has stuff everywhere around you all set up to be grabbed for $5. Milk, papers, bread, bottled water packs, junk food, magazines etc.
@Scrooge I always thought it was "consumer surplus" rather than "social welfare" - because everyone has a different willingness to pay, by price discrimination you can capture more of the consumer surplus. "Social welfare" being defined as consumer surplus + profits - and depending on the situation, can be higher in some cases with price discrimination and lower in others.
My recollection of economics is a bit rusty but that's how I remembered it.
Social welfare = consumer surplus + producer surplus
"Profit" and "producer surplus" are synonymous here.
Price discrimination takes more of the social welfare of transacting for producers because it converts some consumer surplus into producer surplus.
I have heard stories from friends, about how when groupon/scoopon/ourdeal type vouchers were used for cheap restaurant deals, e.g. eat all you want, order from menu - that the experience was less than pleasant. The restaurant would cite excuses like running out of certain menu items etc etc - anything to discourage ordering of more quantity or more expensive menu items. I am sure this does not happen all the time. Still, I have reservations about using these vouchers if/when I am hoping for a good experience.
Otherwise, I think businesses want us to use vouchers. As Spackbace said, the discount brings in the additional business.
You raise a good point that using a group deal, sometimes doesn't reflect a true experience as some owners cut down to compensate for discount.
Those owners are fools then. Advertise on Scoopon or Groupon to tell new customers how bad their food or services are?
i refuse to buy groupon/scoopon/ourdeal type vouchers for this reason.. generally crappy restaurant & service
Used two ever, one was decent, other one gave us a separate A4 page menu that was different from their full menu online and restricts orders to the cheap items.
Exactly my thoughts. For restaurant, I used once (twice maybe), Do not use now at all. Only now look for vouchers like a product purchase (or sometimes experience) that cannot be discriminated based on the customer. For Eg: I will (and have) buy a voucher for ice skating.. cant be discriminated there or will buy a movie voucher, theme park voucher etc. etc.
I really don't understand this mentality from businesses. Given how powerful social media is these days, you would think it wouldn't make sense for them to penny pinch on a legitimate voucher they signed up for when that sour experience could turn into a negative review.
I've had this experience a few times where you're treated differently or the better menu options just weren't available. It doesn't stop me from using vouchers though; it just means I won't revisit a restaurant.
I think that's why Groupon and other group buying businesses are fading. It hasn't proven to be a sustainable or effective business model. It typically delivers customers to restaurants who only went because of the discount, aren't repeat customers and wouldn't go back to buy at full price. So while a lot of businesses got excited early on thinking that this was a great way to advertise and get exposure to new customers, most of them are wary of it by now.
Explains why Groupon shares are trading at about 16% of their peak and why Groupon management are trying to rework their old business model of "discounts by email"
Yeah I found a good restaurant via groupon or similar, used them whilst I had vouchers, but never been back. I have a bit of trouble paying 2x - it's like doubling up on shares when the price is rising - it destroys the original % return :)
Very flawed business model - unless it was to scam businesses for a while then close up shop, in which case it was a brilliant but terribly unethical business model.
You are right. People just want bargains ( I am a tightass). But if it was really good food/ service/local, you would go back though. Doing something is still alway better than just sitting and hoping. If were talking about restaurants, it just depends how good quality of the place is. But I always buy deals for gold coast theme parks :). I never pay the main website price.
I used to feel a bit awkward as I believed not many people used coupons/vouchers as they looked like tightasses in a social environment, then I came across ozbargain and have saved so much money by being a tightass I don't really feel awkward.
Mmm, me too! OzBargain has helped me embrace and feel proud at being able to save money. It also gives me great triumph to discuss how I get things cheaper than peeps who don't even try.
But sometimes it's just sad when I see people buy a single can of Mother for about $3.5 when the 4 pack was just a shelf away on sale for $7 or something.
If I wasn't a tight ass I wouldn't be able to buy a lot of the stuff I enjoy, so it pays off to be a tight ass in certain areas to spoil yourself in others
Agree with what you said, except the drinks part.
You pay for convenience and whether it's cold or not. The $3.50 mother would definitely be cold and most likely out the front of a supermarket, same as coke/pepi/solo/water etc. You can't just say "oh look at that guy what a sadcase, can of Mother for $3.50, just buy 4 pack". It's like me walking into a bar and thinking "nah I'll pass on the $8 beer, I can get a case for $40 at Dan Murphy's using my discount code" or buying a 2L Coke when you're out and about in the city or wherever. There's a limit to these things, obviously it's ok if you take it home, but I consider you sad for buying a warm 4 pack of Mother if you're out somewhere with your mates or whatever you're doing.
Oh yea, I agree, there's a time and place.
if you like those energy drinks, be prepared to shell out for fillings at the dentist later in life (unless you religiously brush your teeth multiple times a day) - H20 is the way to go
Mind you in saying that i can't help stock up on Fruit Punch Gatorade when i go to the states (US mainland or Hawaii), its the best flavour on earth. Speaking of which does anyone know why you can't get it in Australia….. or how you can import (usafoods.com.au dont have it)?
Cheers, Chris ~
I feel like Aussies in general have become more bargain hunting than in the past. As such, it's not as awkward nowadays with the money consciousness which has swept the social ranks.
" then I came across ozbargain and have saved so much money by being a tightass"
Sorry, could you repeat that again?
Should it be the other way around?
Never paid full price at Dominos and Hungry-jacks! Needless to say, they are my favorite when it comes to pizza and burger. ;)
The price is paid by your arteries.
It does not apply to me as I'm actually lean build at lower end of BMI index for my age and hieght.
Wtf…it doesn't work like that. You better still be in high school. Go, read up on atherosclerosis.
It doesn't matter what build or BMI you are.
That's like saying I love to smoke, but dw my lungs are small so I have no increased risk of lung cancer.
@bargainaus: Here I'll address your body description
From the Dallas Heart Study: "there is a complex relationship between BMI and cardiovascular risk, an almost J-shaped relationship, where those with a low BMI having greater atherosclerotic burden than those with a higher BMI. "
or from the 'Atherosclerosis: New Insights for the Healthcare Professional: 2012 Edition', "the highest risk factors associated with polyvascular disease include: age, male sex, history of smoking, family history, low BMI and high Lp(a)"
Both draw references and are in themselves quite large studies.
So in conclusion: Yes its to do with fat/LDL content, the amount you ingest since where else is it coming from. But its worse for your case because you have a lower BMI.
Still better than KFC though.
Deep Fried with thousand years old oil
Haha nice one!
Never paid full price at Dominos and Hungry-jacks!
I've never even PAID at Hungry Jacks!
I've never even PAID at Hungry Jacks!
Ofcourse Scrooge
On a shopping centre website it had special offers. There was a Mad Mex BOGOF burrito. They're $9 small and 11.90 or something regular/large.
It was after 5P.M. as per voucher on the website and the teenager asked if I work there. It didn't mention that you had to be employed in the shopping centre to get the deal. Methinks they are sneaky and aren't honouring it because it's slim margin. Plus, free advertising and foot traffic.
Wasn't embarrassed as much as annoyed.
The embarrassing part is when it's not really that big of a discount and only a tiny proportion of your weekly budget and they don't honour it and people lined up behind you and they are chasing it up with their manager.
I have similar experiences like this, it defies belief why they wouldn't honor it. Sure you lose a bit of your profit margin, but I would rather have less than no money at all.
I've mentioned this here a few times now:
Some retail staff act like it's coming out of their own pockets when presented with a promotion. ¬_¬
Those are nosy staffs. It's either that they want to get awarded for employee of the year OR they got percentage of profit instead of salary (Dicksmith and JB Hi-Fi salesman for instances)
I got bad experience with 1 cheeky nosy staff @ Domino who doubt the $3 pizza I ordered and paid online. He acted like the owner and always doubt how come I can get cheap pizza & show his shitty face. Now everytime I see him when I go to that domino store, he really creep me around even though I paid full price for the pizza. I reckon he is bored and looking for trouble.
Unfortunately it could just be that some people have an attitude problem, get on a power-trip, and/or are just generally antagonistic.
Yes, I've even been giggled at from someone a couple people behind me in line.
Where did this happen?
7-11
7-11 is the worst. I have vouvhers on my phone and they would wave the scanner at it absent mindedly and just say, "it doesn't work". And would relegate me out of the line until fuel customers were done. It was obvious they don't want to to give it to me so I would complain to their headquarters and get an even better voucher - which I'll go another location to get. It's not convenient but they genuinely scan it or key in the code.
Just stand your ground and hold up the line until they honour it.
Stand in place, turn your head, acknowledge all the waiting customers, and point out to the clerk that they are holding up everyone.
I've had people in line at 7-11 offer to pay for my slurpee's for me because the scanner was unable to scan my voucher….
Nope, I've never accepted anyone else's money. After all, for me it's not about the money but the principle.
In one case (buy anything, get a free slurpee), I had purchased a red frog (30c) and a large slurpee. At the counter, the cashier plugged it in at full price. I pointed out the promo that was stuck up on the counter, he said he couldn't do that.
He then manually keyed in some discount that magically dropped it down 30%, I said no, it's free. He then dropped it down to 50%, this kept going as if he was trying to barter me. After some explanation that I only had 50c on me, he took that and instead of giving any change he cancelled the till and just pocketed the 50c for himself.
Definitely a strange kind of behaviour which makes me think he was the owner and not an employee.
Definitely a strange kind of behaviour which makes me think he was the owner and not an employee.
What we can learn from your experience is to take the exact change for what we intend to purchase, that way we can plonk it on the counter and walk.
It's a shame we'll miss out on a 5 % PayPass rebate though. :/
@downhillmtbr: I had a similar issue at 711 on 711 day said I couldn't get a slurpee with a chuba chup for20 cents.tried to get me to spend minimum $2 for free slurpee . out comes the phone- line goes super long behind me. Proved my point got my slurpee and then everyone behind me knew about the deal so I hope he was hammered with free slurpee requests .
Walked out my son turned to me and just said "seriously that poor guy didn't know who he was dealing with." Best tasting slurpee is a free slurpee.
7/11 are horrible, based on paying inter atonal students half of what they're entitled to. ABC's Four Corners helped expose them.
Now there is another 24/7 convenience store petrol station using a trainee loophole to not pay full wages. Think it's called OnTheGo.
If only people would boycott these greedy bustards their might be some change.
@maximum: I had the opposite experience recently, where the attendant actually told me that the Slurpees are free with any purchase. And he pointed to the chupa chups and said just buy one of these to get the slurpee free.
Yes, I've even been giggled at from someone a couple people behind me in line.
What I would've said:
"If saving money is so funny to you, how about you pay for my transaction, Mr/Ms High Roller?"
Easy to giggle back at a sucker eager to pay full price ;)
Vouchers/coupons - no.
Scoupon/Groupon etc. - yes.
I always find that 99% of group buy deals are extremely painful when it comes to the actual transaction.
Totally agree with you. Especially for groupons on food places. Really awkward, I feel really weird using it in fact.
No shame when it comes to Entertainment vouchers though.
I never understand this sort of thinking.
Vouchers, discount flyers or coupons are issued by the business. They do it willingly because they want to expand their customer base, so it is to both sides' benefit to visit a restaurant for the first time because you were drawn there by a discount. There is nothing to be ashamed of, you're not stealing and they're not a charity.
I agree. If we have bad experiences when we're on the vouchers, why would we go back? The only thing that they're getting then is any profit on the voucher - which strikes me as short term thinking, especially given the number of bad reviews that then go up online!
Was awkward when my coupon in Big W for the "friends and family" didn't work and I had to ask them for help.
I didn't have much fun in one of those promotions as well.
I find that when using a phone when it is often rejected or 'doesn't work'.
Interesting topic.