Cheap Eats: Dine On A Dime!
Nov 3, 2009 6:05 pm US/Eastern
Signing Up Gets You Local Deals During Recession
PINECREST (CBS4) ―
Many merchants are starting Black Friday specials almost a month earlier this year, but there is also a website that CBS4's Jorge Estevez discovered that can offer you discounts across all of South Florida. It may be a matter of just signing up for savings.
For Margaret Haley opening a day spa was her dream.
"I wanted some place that was luxurious, that was really, really beautiful, but was value oriented and affordable for everyone," said Haley, of My Derma Clinic.
But Margaret opened My Derma Clinic in Pinecrest at the peak of the recession.
"We had to think creatively and do a lot of value oriented packages to get people in here," she said.
And part of her plan to pack the place came with a website called groupon.com, which works with all sorts of businesses to provide deals for you and keep participating businesses up and running.
"Times are tough, and when times are tough, people cut back on personal services."
So how does it work?
It's free for you. As far as the business is concerned, you just have to make sure enough people sign up for the deal in order to make sure you get it too.
"I get the best deal for the best service here," said Brie Berkowitz, who is a Groupon user.
Berkowitz got the deal, and since enough people signed up for groupon.com's deal that day, all of the women who signed up each got a discount.
"It's an $80 value package that they got for $29, French aromatherapy, mani-pedi and a hydro massage," said Haley.
It's a hit for South Florida business trying to make it--and for their clients.
"By getting on this website, it not only gives you a great deal, but it encourages you to tell your friends about it," said Berkowitz.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Don't Let The Bad Economy Get You Down!
Cheap Eats: Irish Fare & Italian Dishes
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
