We all love to check the daily deals sites in search of a bargain. But when you make a purchase, do you really think it through? Or do you just whip out your credit card and buy on impulse?
Daily deals can be addictive, and with so many sites now offering so many deals, it's easy to get carried away! We have compiled a list of 21 Daily Deal tips that you may like to consider the next time you buy a deal. There are three categories: Do you really need the deal, Assessing the Deal and Assessing the Merchant. Enjoy!
In summary, the main points of the checklist are:
1. Don't buy it just because its cheap.
2. Do you really need the service right now?
3. Is the countdown timer rushing you?
4. Have you been looking for a deal on this for a while?
5. Wait a few hours between reading an purchasing the deal.
6. Put a Daily Deal Limit on big ticket prices
7. For an out of town deal does the deal expiry date match your travel time?
8. Does the RRP price sound right?
9. Will the deal involve purchase of extra/supplementary items?
10. Where is the merchant located?
11. With chain store deals is the voucher redeemable at your local store?
12. Read the Fine Print
13. What are the limitations on the deal?
14. Does the deal expiry date match with your desired timeframe?
15. Booking Dates and Specific Instructions
16. Check Lockout dates
17. For Group deals check that your party are able to attend
18. Check online reviews of the Merchant
19. Check the merchants opening hours and days
20. Check the merchants website
21. Call the merchant if you have questions
Below we go into each point and explain why it is necessary to consider it in your daily deal purchasing decision.
Do you really need the deal?
1. Don't buy it just because its cheap.
It really goes without saying, but just because a deal is cheap, doesn't mean we have to buy it. We are all guilty of this. Just because that ice-cream is only $2, doesn't mean you need to buy it.
Sometimes it can cost $10 - $15 to go and redeem a deal when you take into account petrol, time and parking fees. Make sure that the deal will still be a great one when you take into account the costs to you in actually redeeming it.
2. Do you really need the service right now?
Sure it might be nice to shell out and get a haircut, or a manicure - but do you really need it right now? Did you just get your haircut a fortnight ago? Have you really been looking out for a cheap deal on a round of golf, or has this new deal just put the idea into your head?
Its a great idea to make a list of the types of deals you are looking out for - things you really, really want to do. Out your list beside your computer, then when you check deals sites each day refer to your list. If its not on the list, skip the deal.
3. Is the countdown timer rushing you?
Daily Deals always have that little countdown timer beside the deal! Some even have a "nearly sold out" bar. We recommend avoiding even looking at these "motivators". Focus your attention of the specifics of the deal, don't get rushed into clicking Buy Now because there's a 24 hour time limit.
4. Have you been looking for a deal on this for a while?
Your nails are getting pretty tatty lately and you've been hanging out for a manicure deal. You have the money set aside, you are just waiting for the right deal to pop up. This a good way to approach daily deals. Buy deals for things that you really need, or that you use regularly. This way you can make real savings as you were going to spend the money anyway.
5. Wait a few hours between reading an purchasing the deal.
Ah, hindsight. Its the minds greatest tool. But allow it time to work! If you are seriously considering a deal, and you've run thru the daily deal buying tips on this page, then close your browser. Give it a few hours. You normally have a full 24 hours for a deal to run its course. That's ample time to think it over and discuss with the family.
Voucher Deals rarely sell out these days. Most merchants are happy to sell as many vouchers as they can on their deal day. Many deal sites even extend the sold out bar when it gets close to selling out. Consider sleeping on it, particularly if its a big ticket purchase. If the deal means that much to you, you won't forget about it. And if you do, another one will pop up before you know it.
6. Put a Daily Deal Limit on big ticket prices
Consider setting a maximum spend limit for daily deals vouchers. The impulse nature of daily deals means that when a good deal comes up you can feel so compelled to buy, if it looks good. But what about deals in the hundreds of dollars? When making larger purchases, consider setting a limit like $100 on daily deals sites. When spending that amount of money, you should shop around. You may be able to find a better price deal, or a more suitable deal for exactly what you want. Remember there will always be another deal in a few weeks. We think limiting your purchase values is a great daily deal tip!
7. For an out of town deal does the deal expiry date match your travel time?
White water rafting in Queenstown. Sounds exciting! But if you are in Auckland, how will you get there. If you always planned to do it one day, but haven't got round to it, a daily deal might not be the best place to force yourself in to it. If you are planning a holiday in a different part of the country, make sure you have booked your flights and accommodation before looking at things to do there. It is often best to buy local deals 3-4 days before you arrive.
Assessing the Deal
8. Does the RRP price sound right?
Does the RRP price stated on the deal look correct? Sometimes deal sites can be a little generous with their pricing. But it's often not the deal sites, its the merchants who supply inflated retail pricing figures to the deal sites so when 50% is taken off they get to keep more of the pie.
The higher the normal price is, the bigger the discount looks, and the bigger the saving percentage will be - making the deal look really good. Be on the look out, and don't be fooled by inflated retail prices. If in doubt Google it, or check the merchants website.
9. Will the deal involve purchase of extra/supplementary items?
Paintball is a fun game with to play with a group of mates. But most times you will run out of the deal included paint ball quota quite fast. So when you've used those 100 paintballs that came free with the deal, and you've all had to spend another $40 on balls, the deal won't be that cheap after all. Make sure that you check out exactly what is included in the deal.
10. Where is the merchant located?
Its all good getting a cheap deal, but if you have to drive for 45 minutes to redeem it, have you really saved much money? Take into account petrol costs and your TIME. If the trip will take you an hour and a half return trip that's $20 - $30 in extra costs which add to the deal price. Be sure to check the suburb of the merchant offering the deal. If you can get there in 15 - 20 minutes then the deal is worth considering. More than 30 minutes round trip, then the deal needs to be really good!
11. With chain store deals is the voucher redeemable at your local store?
When there are multiple locations you can redeem the deal at, make sure that your local store is part of the deal. There's nothing more embarrassing going to the cashier at the end and learning that the deal didn't apply for their store! Always check that your local store is shown on the deal page as a redeemable location. Also print out the deal page for your reference.
12. Read the Fine Print
This is the most important daily deal tip of them all! It can be boring reading the conditions of the deal, when the deal is selling out fast. But to avoid making mistakes and the dreaded buyer remorse, take a moment to read the terms and conditions of the particular deal. Most queries will be answered in the fine print, including limitations placed on redeeming the deal.
13. What are the limitations on the deal?
Most deals come with certain limitations. For instance, some restaurants will only allow one voucher per table. If you want the whole family to take advantage of the deal, make sure that you are allowed to use multiple vouchers. A little planning before you buy the deal can save headaches later on.
14. Does the deal expiry date match with your desired timeframe?
All deals will come with an expiry date. Is there enough time allowed for use of the deal. Remember around holidays like Easter, Christmas that you need to allow time for Public Holidays, and stores may be closed for extended periods around these times.
15. Booking Dates and Specific Instructions
If the voucher says that you need to book ahead to secure your spot, or that you must ring up and book one month prior to expiry then make sure you don't forget! When looking at the bookable dates be sure to check your future engagements to ensure you will you be able to use it. Will you be in the country? When exactly is your cousins wedding again?
16. Check Lockout dates
Lockout or Blackout Dates normally will only apply to Travel deals but be sure to check that you can actually use the deal during the time period you are thinking of using the deal (like school or public holidays). Many deals like this won't let you book the deal for peak dates during the busy season.
17. For Group deals check that your party are able to attend
Organising groups can be troublesome. If the deal requires more than you and your spouse, or you and your kids ensure you get buy-in from everyone you are considering. Post the deal on your Facebook Wall. Tell your friends you want to buy the deal for the group but you need everyone to confirm they are keen. Even better, ask them to chip in. Get them to confirm in the comments section so that you know when buying the deal you won't be left high and dry.
Assessing the Merchant
18. Check online reviews of the Merchant
Google the merchants name and the word 'review' to see what others say about their service. Many Merchants constantly offer deals around all the deals sites, or have profiles on directory sites like Finda or Localist so there is bound to be some sort of review available.
Read at least 10 different reviews and consider negative and positive points. Some customers can be very tough for the hell or it, and they like to bring others down. So if you come across a bad review, assess whether it is legitimate, and weigh it against the positive ones.
19. Check the merchants opening hours and days
Some smaller merchants have non-standard opening hours. Be sure to check their opening times and weekend hours. Also check if they are closed on a weekend day, or a random day like "closed on Mondays". Most merchants will have a website listing their opening hours. Sometime you will need to view their 'Contact Us' page for opening times.
20. Check the merchants website
When planning to use a new service, or go on a new experience its smart to check the website of the merchant. you can learn a lot about the business, and the way they may handle their customer service.
21. Call the merchant if you have questions
Sometimes the deal information can be a little vague. Does the hairdressing deal include colouring? Can I use the $100 credit on sale items? If you have any questions about a deal, or just the type of services that can be redeemed, then call the merchant directly. Their phone number is often on the deal page.
Don't feel funny about asking about the deal they are running on 'X' deals site. Remember they want you as a customer, its their job to give you a reason to say yes. Don't ask for the world, but if you have a question then its your right to ask. Who knows there may even be an error on the deal, and your question could bring it to the merchants attention as save others from confusion.
Say you haven't come across their business before, and you're interested in using the deal, to try them out for the first time. You can learn a lot about a company from the way they manage phonecalls, and they way the treat prospective customers. You'll get a feeling (hopefully good) and then you can go with it.
We hope that this checklist will help you in filtering through all the deals, and finding the ones that are good for you!!
One Final tip: Clear your inbox!
With so many sites offering deals chances are you are signed up to several of them. But this of course means that your inbox can get full rather quickly. But how do you keep on top of checking all the deals each day?
OneDayDeals offers a free daily email service which allows you to receive just one daily deal email each day. When you register, we will email you ONE email each morning (7am) with a daily reminder to check our site for Today's Deals. The email contains links to each deal category, so you can quickly go right to the page or pages that you check most often, be that Auckland Deals, Wine Deals or Product Deals.
We understand that by now, you have probably chosen just a few sites to keep track of. But what about all those deals on the other sites that you don't follow because you'd get too many emails?
The great reason to use our daily email service is that when you go through to our site, you can see the deals from ALL sites. Not just ones you are following now. So for Auckland Deals, our email will remind you to check our Auckland page and you'll see all the Auckland Deals at a glance. Not just 2 or 3 sites. This way you can quickly scan 10 or more Auckland Deals sites on one page. Now that's smart!
You can give our Daily Email Reminder a try - just enter your name and email address below. (Unsubscribe at any time).
