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.
They spit in your food if its free.
:O How do you know?
Probably not true. I am just guessing.
Wouldn't surprise me at some of the dodgy places, where managers have a hate against coupons.
You won't if you're the nice customers.
If you were a jerky customer + free coupon perhaps even worse. Booger and random unknown stuff
I cannot imagine this, if they are the ones offering the vouchers in the first place :-) Unless they have miscalculated/mispriced, or discount is extracted from them and they are not happy!
If it is a franchise then they have no direct say in their business being included in the discount offer. Someone in head quarters makes the decision and the franchises need to deal with it.
Good point.
That's even better value.
They spit in your food if its free.
Scrooge, chapter 3, verse 50:
Thou shalt not present thy coupon until thou hast received thy product or service.
A lot of places want to see the voucher at time of placing order, and this is why I don't like using vouchers. It seems to be that they fully intend offering a different product or service.
If I knew the voucher was only for payment, I wouldn't have an issue with them.
Yes I am constantly getting the "you're supposed to let us know when you place the order" spiel form a couple of local restaurants who like to pump out discount vouchers a few times a year. I have no intention of telling them upfront because I fully believe they intend to give me a different product/service if they know beforehand
This is one thing good about the Entertainment Card. You do not have to mention you are using the card until you have finished dining.
@Japius: Have you ever been denied the coupon when trying to redeem when paying instead of before ordering? I've always been tempted to do this but usually cop out
No never, I always feign "oops sorry I didn't know". Or if it's take away I get the wife to place the order and then I pick it up and just blame her :)
I feel it when I use loyalty stamps/cards.. when I asked my five friends or so to all use my loyalty card. Feel like a true Ozbargainer..
Hell no I don't feel embarrassed. In fact, while using a coupon I feel like im the smartest person in the room, paying half as much as what every other person is paying gives me a feeling of satisfaction.
I was about to write the same thing. In the past I was feeling awkward but now I am like "hell yeah". Why would I pay full price?
Poor = Voucher, Rich = Cash, other than that you are txxxxaxx
Really??? I was thinking Voucher = smart and long term with that mindset you "could" be rich, Cash = old fashioned, Card + Voucher = smart saver or ozbargainer.
Was thinking the same thing.
While the very poor use vouchers and scrimp and save whenever possible, the next socioeconomic group along the line think vouchers are beneath them. I have a few friends who are not 'dirt poor' but are poor enough to always be short of cash. They're too proud to use vouchers.
When I mentioned things like ING's 2% cash back, 5% off woolworths gift cards, etc, the response invariably was along the lines of:
"Sounds like too much hassle"
"Not worth the effort"
"5% isn't enough to interest me"
One friend who struggles with his finances admitted he fills up his Commodore when the tank is empty, regardless of the price. That may mean paying 20c/L more in some circumstances.
Also, I suggest the rich don't use cash. I know a few wealthy people and they always pile absolutely everything they can onto frequent flyer credit cards (paying them off each period) and enjoy a flight to Europe every year.
I find this response too when suggesting how to get discounts/vouchers.
- too much hassle
-can't be bothered.
Etc.
You can lead a horse to water……
The horse will get agitated when asked about maths and money.
The horse will work hard for you if you give it 3 squares and a stable
The horse can not use a computer
Many folks are the horse.
@Charity:
I'm feeling a bit horseish - I don't have an ING card. Seemed like too much work for a short term deal??
@SlickMick: ING is a great deal when there is the 5% deal. Probably the best bank too even without it. I also have big 4 accounts, as I am also sometimes a horse. but I will be changing over everything to ING when my MEBank card runs out.
My parents are quite well-off but they never understand "flybuys points" , "ing rebate" and "AMEX shop small". In fact mum aviods using cards as much as she can. Dad laughs at "ebay cash rewards 3.5%" and it has been a year and I still haven't convince my sister to open an ING account… I am convinced that rich people don't care about vouchers…
The only reason many of the very wealthy don't 'care' its because they're time poor and don't know. I know several $10m+ people who're stingy as and save every cent. If they knew about Ozbargain, no doubt they would use coupons more often.
@GameChanger:
Most rich people are surprisingly tight. It's hard to become wealthy and very easy to piss it all away
My in laws have an income of about $600k. Father in law drives a 4 year old base model Corolla (upgraded when his Echo finally died after 10+ years) and MIL drives a little stupid Peugeot.
They have multiple entertainment books and if we're going to qld for a family trip they'll buy one for the location as well.
@konazz: Yep no surprise. Also not surprised one bit that in many affluent suburbs their fridge and pantries are filled with home brand products.
Poor = Voucher, Rich = Cash,
People don't generally become "rich" by wasting money.
other than that you are txxxxaxx
I'm not sure what this means, but it doesn't sound very intelligent. :S
Not sure why people censor. Txxxxaxx is tightass
"Tight arse" for Australian English version :)
I'd feel awkward if NOT using a voucher!
I say "if" because it hasn't happened yet. >< *shudder*
Nothing worse than seeing a voucher code on a website and not being able to find a code. Makes me feel like I'm being ripped off
haha totally agree - what i wouldnt give for an up-to-date Chrome plugin with voucher codes. The Honey plugin doesn't work well at all.
Once, it was at Oporto. The manager thought I am trying to take advantage of the system and photoshoping the voucher each time I come. He said he can't do it for me anymore because I use it a lot. I explained that it's available online and I am using it as the T&C …etc and showed him in my phone. He apologized but wasn't enough for me I asked for refund and left the store. Never went back again to that store.
Man to be treated like that, I rather not eat anything. Sorry to hear about your experience.
Im guessing the refund was after you ate the food?
no, it was after I ordered and paid (fast food restaurants take your money before give you food). the cashier accepted the voucher which gives me a free burger with my meal, but the manger came while I am waiting and said he cant be accepted.. etc I asked for refund and left. I didn't know if they prepared my order or not.
They prepared it no doubt, what a sly manager! I bet he was doing that all day, as most people don't feel comfortable asking for a refund and so its a win-win for him.
Technically, I have almost not buy a thing without voucher or discount since join Ozbargain. Because I found everything you buy full price in Australia is technically a rip off. However, I admit sometimes I do get little awkward when use.
How pretentious do you wanna be? Of course not.
I don't like using (paper) coupons for low value tangible products where the discount is accordingly low too (say $5 or less). If I was buying McDonalds and I wanted a discount, then I'd make an order and then I'd have to take the trouble of opening my wallet (5 seconds), look for the coupon (another 5 seconds), just to get $2 off.
The person serving me would probably be like, "wow, you must be having a hard life if you'd go through all that trouble just to save a buck".
That's why I like ING/ME's paywave rebate discount: it's an opt-out saving, not opt-in. This way, I don't give the impression that I am a poor hobo, even though I am one.
then I'd make an order and then I'd have to take the trouble of opening my wallet (5 seconds), look for the coupon (another 5 seconds), just to get $2 off.
Why not find your vouchers before you get to the register, since you should know what you want by then.
Same thing with people paying at the checkout, rummaging through their purse like they were surprised that they had to pay. Or people who get on the bus, then suddenly realised they had to validate their card at the entrance, while blocking the queue behind them. FFS.
Yes I constantly use the shop-a-docket vouchers for my local mcdonalds for a $2 cheeseburger and small fries. No issues using it always have it ready when ordering, feeds one of my kids for $2.
Oh my lorde, I agree! Where is the common decency/sense in the world.
You've obviously never used their Drive-through service.
The amount of times I have got home only to be short changed some items is ridiculous. You need to even the ledger at every available opportunity.
Nope unless the coupon made the item completely free. Like the Pancake Parlour deal. You show the coupon and it's free and you're both thinking "what happens now?".
I know a lot of people that would rather pay full price than use a voucher which I find is unreasonable. I'd always use a voucher or coupon, unless it was a first date or something.
I feel more savvy if I use coupons actually. It's like when I see people pay for their groceries with 5% off e-gift cards, they have the "know-how". Last week I was at Coles I had like 4 coupons scanned (those docket deals, weekly coupons, local store $8 off, fruit/veg bonus points) :P
For online shopping I always try to find a coupon before checking out.
Perks of being a Chinese, they automatically assume you are cheap anyways. So no shame!!!!!
Lol.
Ditto!!!
I feel bad using a voucher when I'm the only customer there ie. Very quiet restaurants. I've never had aynone be rude about it, but you can just see that they were so excited to finally have a customer, who then asks for half price. Still use it, just feel a bit guilty.
The very reason they are "quiet" or very pleased to finally have a customer is most likely because they have a poor reputation or are overpriced.
They "finally" have a customer because that customer has a voucher.
Yeah I know the reason, although the last couple of times they have just been awkwardly located - I just feel bad for businesses when they are working hard and not seeing a payoff. Doesn't necessarily change my shopping habits though.
I use coupons, offers and vouchers only when I'm guaranteed to get the same quality product as paying full price. Restaurants are an exception to this where it's likely your dining experience will be affected by showing them a voucher before eating.
Even where a product is identical but heavily discounted due to a special offer or voucher, some people still have this mentality that "the more you pay the better the product". I had an amusing debate with a friend who worked in a supermarket. He was adamant that when 50% off specials were launched for items like frozen pizza or cat food, the manufacturer would pull all the 'good' full priced products off the shelf and replace them with poor quality versions. Once the special ended the 'bad' products would be replaced.
I tried to explain how this is nonsense. How does a consumer differentiate the 'bad' products from the 'good' one once they get it home and forgotten how much they paid? Sure, extra stock is often brought in for 50% off specials, but that would mean Dr Oetker (for example) is shipping two loads of pizzas to Australia: one for normal sale, and another for discounts. Absurd.
Lolllll this is the best thing I have read!
Best part he works in supermarket and should have an idea how stock is done.
You can think about it in another way… why would you argue with somebody that works in a supermarket about supermarket related stuff, surely he knows better than you how things are stocked, he does it as a job.
But yeah :) that does sound rather far fetched.
It works both ways.
I went to a restaurant named "Barramundi" around 8pm one evening. I ordered the barra to be told it was all sold out, which was pretty ironic.
I tried to order another three dishes and they were all sold out. They took my order for steak and came back to say they had sold the last one.
I politely inquired what the hell was going on and they said they had a full house earlier, many of whom had vouchers and they had cleaned the place out.
LOL victim of its own success.
they need to stock some emergency frozen chicken like KFC
I find it funny when poeple at hungry jacks pay $10+ for their meals.
I pull out my phone (after i have won a FREE bacon delux via the shake and win app), claim the FREE cheese burger via HJexperience Survey and pay nothing.
Everyone looks at me and they are like "what the fudge"
claim the FREE cheese burger via HJexperience Survey
Do you need a "winning" receipt for that?
HJexperience survey? Is that like the KFC one?
Isn't the code unique?
Tried the survey and it says the code to enter the survey is unique,don't currently have any HJ reciepts to test it out.
What is it with having to sign into facebook to get the shake and win app to work??
same here, never ordered Dominos without voucher code. I feel sorry for people who order from Dominos and paid full price.
Have got a free bacon delux the last 2 days in a row… both times after leaving the gym haha - basically redundant gym session
Depends who is behind the counter. If it's a chick then yeah, abit awkward. But otherwise don't really care ;)
I used to think like that, then I realize the probability of me ** her is very unlikely. I don't think many people have picked up people from stores.
the probability might actually increase slightly as you will have something to talk about? :)
She is going to love a guy, who will make her pay 50/50 for dinner and use a voucher :D
i am married with 3 kids so I would use a voucher when ever possible. if i was single and going out on a date I would never use a voucher no matter what. being cheap is not sexy.
All the money to share with you my love… :)
Being smart with your money is.
I wouldn't hold it against someone for using a voucher on a date, unless it was BOFOF and they threw that on the table as their 'contribution' instead of paying their share. But if they offered to save us both money or if they were paying it all and used a voucher, then I wouldn't have a problem at all with it.
I reckon some business can utilize these pride humility feeling.
It's a new business technique / scam-strategy to bait people attention by providing a bargain but at the end they try to scare you to buy/pay it for full price
Just like Dicksmith try to post bargain in OZB. HA!
I think the business accepting the voucher should feel awkward. Obviously the business isn't doing so well, that they need to offer the vouchers to attract more business. I feel I am doing them a favor by giving them a fair go, by using the voucher. Obviously if the service/goods are good, I will be returning.
Never feel awkward using vouchers etc In fact I go out of my way to check all the coupons sites and Google the business to see if there is a special or coupon going before providing said business with my custom. If no coupons or special I move on lol RRP Regular Ripoff Price.
I am known on my floor at work as the bargain hunter saved many coworkers with my sleuthing for bargains. So THANKS OzBargain for the deals. Still amazed at people who think $50 off is a deal.
Only had an issue with McD with Shop A Dockets wanted me to hit confirm to start the timer on the docket so couldn't use it again. This was on the phone.
We get $10 off Cheesecake shop vouchers in the mail almost every quarter here in South East Bris. They always suck me in with those.
Anyway, last time I went to use it they had a sign in the shop with $10 off on some full size cheesecakes. They baked a few that had some cracks on top of it and they passed them off as seconds.
So with the $10 voucher and the other $10 discount on top of it, I walked out the shop with a full sized macadamia cheesecake for $8!
I only feel awkward when I'm not confident how legit the voucher is (ambiguous terms, dates, got it off the internet but not seen elsewhere etc), or if using it combined with other discounts brings the price down to something ridiculous and the person ringing it up starts thinking there must be a mistake. I just don't like confrontation of any sort and don't want to find myself in a position where I have to argue for my discount.
I love using vouchers to save money.
I hate stores providing a lesser service as a result of using the voucher.
Larger stores are usually better, because of the separation between the person at the till and person making the food e.g. Dominos pizza makers only see the order, not the amount charged.
I find there is a large correlation between disappointment and scoopon/groupon styled deals. Most of the time these places are on their last legs and "prepaid vouchers" is merely a cash flow injection.
I get turned off from using these vouchers when it's advertised as pay $100 get "Up to $200 value" and you get served a smaller portion than a full fee paying customer would receive.
tl;dr - vouchers inherently prejudice stores to provide smaller portions, must select food outlets where kitchen and till are segregated
Happened to me too. Ordered a dish of teriyaki chicken. Picture showed full plate of it. When it came. It was half the size. Me and my gf could down 4 of these portions easily. Never went back ever again.
Using vouchers on-line or for takeaway foods is fine, but often such a hassle to use at restaurants for most the reasons people mention.
a) poor customer service at the hint of a discount card/voucher
b) too many conditions to be met like "sorry this only applies on Monday if you order from the secret menu whilst standing on your head reciting the national anthem".
c) "sorry we've sold out of the CHEAP dishes…"
d) usually forget to bring the vouchers/discounts.
e) if I remember to bring the vouchers etc they usually out of date by a year!
f) or when you get them they expire in the next 24hrs and you just placed your order for what you wanted so like what's the point if you've already Ozbargained and bought one for yourself to cover the next 3 years, your friend, your neighbour, your brother and his pet dog, you have no need to get more goods cheap for anyone else - so you have a voucher that is almost useless?
My first job was in a fast food place and I didn't give it a second thought when someone used a coupon. I remember when they put the prices up, I felt like the new prices were a rip-off and the coupons just brought them back down to the pre-price rise prices, so I felt like the people using the coupons were smart for using them (given that the company was making a huge profit).
These days, I'm not too bothered using coupons, but my partner hates using them (loves collecting them, but hates using them and makes me hand them over!). That said, if he's buying online, he's more than happy to use as many discount codes/employee discount offers as he can. He also uses the Fly buys coupons because you can scan them yourself at the self-serve checkout.
The only time I've had trouble with coupons is with an online bookshop. I received an electronic discount coupon from them, tried to use it and it didn't work. Emailed them and they said it had expired (which it hadn't). Then they said it wasn't valid. A few follow-up emails and it got sorted out, but I got the feeling they really didn't want to honour the discount.
This is a fascinating post and I have read some of the replies with great interest.
I accept that some people will feel "cheap" using discount vouchers, but we don't when shopping on line to obtain discounts, or shopping in the post-Christmas sales.
It is all a matter of preconception; usually our own!
Let's take a more corporate and strategic view on this. Vouchers are usually created as part of a marketing strategy to increase/encourage consumption or interest. Therefore don't feel bad about using it as you're in fact helping them with their marketing.
I have no problem using vouchers and stacking discounts at almost any business. I especially enjoy buying at a corporate business where CashRewards + discounted gift card + credit card points to buy it kick in.
Remember that employees of the business often receive even more discounts and credits than is possible for you and me.
If a business feels like they're being abused by coupons (Scoopon/Groupon/*on) and forced to sell food at a loss in the hope that a customer will come back and pay full price, then that business should honestly look at their marketing strategy.
Yes, because sometimes I could see the unpleasant look on the business owner or staff's face when I said I have a voucher to use. In this case, I usually throw my wife under the bus and ask her to settle the bill hahahaha!
Reminds me of subway. If they don't accept your voucher after preparing your sub, just walk. Then they will accept it, just this one time,because no one else is going to buy it.
I'm an accountant, so no, not really. It's called spending wisely.
However I'm definitely not the type to try and argue my way out of paying a dollar or two extra, I reckon that's just being unreasonably cheap.
just tell em your an accountant at the counter. Im sure they'll understand.
No, not embarrassed at all and use Groupons regularly.
Never had an issue with Group Buys regarding being treated differently to full paying customers, sometimes you even get treated better when using a group buy such as getting additional savings like the sumo salad society which you get signed upto and has $5 off discount or other loyalty cards and special discounts, the only negative with group buys is that sometimes a menu maybe modified to exclude certain items.
my experience in using entertainment vouchers has been pleasant except when I redeemed the melbourne central burger edge 25% off coupon.
I ordered a meal at $10. Manager charged me separately for the drink, chips and burger for total of $12,then applied coupon. So I lost out on $1.50 (9-7.50)
When challenged he said he couldn't combine a meal with entertainment voucher. Happened to two customers in the line. He paid the other customer back but not me, as the other guy was way more assertive. Manager got 1.50 from me but lost two customers + countless more. Don't they have any foresight?
Anyway most times everywhere else no one seems to mind, it's only when trainees get annoyed but only because they don't know how to process it or the manager is holding them up.
I have absolutely no shame. Discount codes, electronic vouchers, digital vouchers, I'd use them all at once if I could :')
Did you ever feel ashamed? or it never crossed your mind?
Nope, I've just always been genuinely excited to save money haha.
Maybe if I have a print out I might try to be a little more discreet in a fancy restaurant, but I'm sure no one is going to scream it from the rooftop.
You have asked the question below to someone if their an introvert or extrovert, and people would describe me as an extrovert. I usually remain comfortable in most social situations.
I think being an extrovert can help avoid the awkwardness that some people experience.
I like coupons/vouchers most of the time but occasionally I've had problems. Luckily the positive experiences outweigh the negative.