Group buying, also known as coupons sites, have popped up in South Africa faster than you can say "Show Me the Money"! The five most prominent that people in South Africa are using are:
- Zappon
- WiCount
- Dealio
- Twangoo (owned by Groupon)
- MyCityDeal (owned by Groupon)
Visiting these sites can cause a massive amount of hysteria, followed by scrambling to find your credit card in order to purchase the "once off" incredible offer. But that really is the whole point, and that’s how these sites get you to part with your hard-earned money.
Some deals are limited in quantity, so the early bird catches the worm, or in other cases the deal is simply available for 24 hours, allowing as many people who want it, to purchase it that day.
This is, without a doubt, the ultimate impulse purchasing marketing tool ever created. Bound by time and quantity limits, as well as us girls doing anything for that big 75% off... but are we not, at the end of the day, just buying more things that we don’t actually need, just because we think we’re getting the greatest bargain of all time? Shoppers beware.
What a Deal!
Which site is the best? According to Elan Lohman the best group buying website is the one that has the best deal for you that day.
So if you’re in search of a good bargain, you’re going to have to visit all the sites everyday (or at the very least, sign-up for their e-mail notifications).
Then again, you can’t possibly compare any of them as one may have 55% off hair treatment offer whilse another is giving 40% off a beach horseriding experience.And with new group buying sites popping up every day (most notably, Mobstir was launched this week), it's going to take some thorough e-mail scavenging to find what you are looking for.
And the deal that is best for you, obviously depends on your personal preferences - how much you are willing to spend, as well as if the discount is big enough to make you type in your credit card number and click purchase.
When Shopping goes Sour
Beware of the fact that just because you think you’re getting an amazing deal, it doesn't necessarily mean you are. Check out Christopher Mills' post on the bad side of group buying and how some clients can up their prices to take the consumer for a ride.
Wicount, at the beginning of 2011, also had a major security whoopsie when they left a hole in their site that allowed anyone to access all of their client’s personal information as well as how much money they had spent on special deals.
These sites have to run on the fact that we trust them, in terms of offering us real value and keeping our personal information private. After all, the most important thing is to have safe (and successful) retail therapy.
How to Buy Better
- Although signing up for e-mail notifications may seem like the simplest option to keep up-to-date with specials, it does tend to get spammy and fast. Unless you have a spare e-mail address that you can use as a dumping ground, an alternative is to find the best deals via Twitter, that way avoiding an overflowing inbox.
- To ensure that you’re actually getting a great offer, head over to
Jump Shopping or PriceCheck before you click purchase. - Remember to always ask yourself - is this something I will actually use and want?
- All these deals have expiration dates so do ensure that you will be able to use the coupon before it become a deleted item in your trash folder.
- And if you know, for sure, that you are going to use it, click quick before you see those two dreaded words: SOLD OUT. Often only a certain quantity of the deal is available so once it is bought out, you've missed out. (R50 for a R200 Exclusives1 voucher? Yes please!)
- Always investigate the deal thoroughly and be sure to read those tiny terms and conditions. R100 is seriously great for that mani-pedi combo, but not if you have to drive 45 minutes to get there. What happens if you have full-day lectures three days a week but you cannot use the deal on the weekend? Read the fine lines!
