Finding the best deals and discounts starts with finding the best daily deal sites. Learning which sites are the best and determining the potential downsides of the different sites is a key part to finding preferred deals and discounts.
Groupon:Groupon is one of the most popular daily deal sites for consumers, though it has had a few deal problems that arose. As a customer who uses Groupon, I have noticed that the best aspect of the website is the cheap deals and the ability to find amazing prices on items that I need.Groupon also has the distinct benefit of offering daily deals that allow me to save money on special experiences, like going zip-lining for my wedding anniversary. The ability to save on almost anything I need or want is a key part of the Groupon experience.The downside of Groupon is that I do not always get the best customer service. Many of my experiences when I used a Groupon have left me feeling displeased with the company. The customer service in some companies is poor and has left me feeling that I wasted my time, particularly when I was planning a special night out for a reasonable price.
LivingSocial:
LivingSocial is another popular daily deal site that many consumers prefer using. It has a similar method of obtaining discounts as Groupon because it is designed to provide discounts based on a group of individuals buying the voucher.
The major benefit of LivingSocial is the ability to get discounts on gift certificates to some of the best local attractions, restaurants and items of personal interest. Another benefit of the daily deal site is that it is specifically broken down into geographic areas, making it easier to avoid unnecessary travel costs. LivingSocial has some of the top experts in finding great attractions in any local area.
While LivingSocial does offer steep discounts on local gift certificates, it also has some potential downsides to consider. A major downside is the limitation on discounts. Since it is designed for local discounts, the deals available on any given day might not appeal to personal needs. I’ve seen that many of the local deals do not necessarily meet my needs or interests within the timeframe I have available to use the certificate.
Woot:
Woot is a well-established daily deal site that has been offering daily deals for several years and is sometimes considered the pioneer of daily deal sites. The website allows men and women to buy items that are new or refurbished online at a steep discount.
The major plus of Woot is finding great deals on items like computers and personal goods. It is possible to buy new items online for amazingly low prices, particularly during specialized sales.
The downside of Woot is primarily about shipping times. Since Woot offers daily deals on items, it needs to ship to a home. Shipping times can vary, but often take between five to seven business days before the item will arrive. Another downside is that some items, particularly electronics, might end up damaged in shipping. While I have not purchased large electronics, I have seen slight damage from shipping on the smaller items I purchased.
Finding the best daily deal sites depends on the particular needs. When the goal is a local experience, websites like LivingSocial are ideal because it provides steep discounts on gift certificates. Those who are looking into purchasing clothes or similar material goods might opt for sites that cater to the purchase of items instead. All of the sites have their advantages and disadvantages, but for the most part the savings are amazing.