Deal or No Deal: Read the Fine Print
Is it your first time to get a coupon from a group buying site or are you unsure if you’re getting a good deal? Buying online might not be as easy as you thought. With the sheer number of group buying sites, it’s so hard to find out if these deals are worth the purchase. To make sure you’re not getting the short end of the stick, read a deal’s fine print thoroughly.
Here’s our guide to make sure your purchase is worth it:
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False advertising. Buying something 50% off doesn’t mean you’d get only half of what a product is worth - you should be getting the same quantity like regular-priced products. Also, beware of deals that use promotional photos that don’t truthfully represent a product or offering.
If you’re purchasing tour packages, make sure there are no hidden charges like additional fees during holidays and other airfare surcharges. Check the breakdown of prices for packages by calling the merchant directly or their competitors.
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Misleading terms. If you’re confused about what a certain deal includes, clear up these misleading terms before purchasing. Don’t be shy to ask how many sessions are included, especially on packages that have multiple offerings.
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Bloated discounts. Be alert of products and services that have inflated prices. Check the original price of the services you’re getting from the merchants themselves – they might even have a lower offering than what’s advertised on the deal. You might end up buying the item for its original price or, heaven forbid, even higher!
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Validity and time frame. Buying coupons online can be such a breeze – but redeeming them is a different story altogether. Check when you’d be able to redeem the coupons – you’d be surprised that some services can only be claimed on certain days and times of the day. For instance, some travel vouchers can only be booked on off-peak seasons.
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Shady merchants. Small businesses love giving out vouchers through group buying sites to get their names out there. If you haven’t heard of a certain merchant, put your internet search prowess to the test. Look for blog posts, comments on forums or tweets about their brand. A merchant’s website, Facebook page or Twitter page can say volumes about their brand.
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Customer service. Give the group buying site and merchant a call before jumping the bandwagon. You can ring them, shoot them an e-mail or comment on their Facebook page then observe how long it will take them to get back to you. If you can’t reach them through any of their contact channels, at least you’ll know how hard it will be for you to redeem your voucher.
If you’re not satisfied with your purchase, you can only get a refund or replacement if it’s clearly stated on the fine print. Be a smart shopper both offline and online by reading up.
Happy shopping!