Are Bargain Hunters too Dang Cheap?
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By Joani Taylor
W
hile chatting the other day with a friend of mine who owns a popular downtown Salt Lake restaurant, we got into a conversation about deals and coupons they offered through various advertising mediums. This restaurateur friend of mine has promoted many times through these marketing avenues, and I was picking his brain for insight on what works and what doesn’t. I mentioned that I had been reading on Yelp.com (a popular customer review website) a plethora of negative comments about various restaurants (including his), and how MANY of the negative reviewers start their review with “I had a coupon or deal voucher for this company and decided to give it a try.” Then the reviewer would launch into a rant of negativity, bashing the food or service provider. As my friend and I further discussed this, he stated that sometimes bargain hunters are terrible customers and that “it is not uncommon for them to complain, under tip and even attempt to mis-use their certificates or coupons.” I’m finding this trend sad and disturbing! Most of these businesses are local to our economy. They employ our families, friends and neighbors. They support not only their families but the employees that count on it, too. When they discount their product, it’s in
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the hopes of getting new and loyal customers. Then, in addition to having to pay the advertiser, they watch as we, the consumers, berate them publicly for future customers to see. SAY WHAT?! I’m sad to say that many merchants I’ve spoken with view deal users as classless and cheap. I recently had the marketing director of a popular Utah location tell me they did not want coupon and deal users at their place of business, leaving their, and I quote, “McDonalds bags and dirty diapers all over their lawn.” OUCH! That hurt! After all, I rarely eat fast food and my kids are adults. Of course, one has nothing to do with the other. It was the stigma she attached to the bargain hunter that bothered me. When I use a deal voucher or coupon, I take a much different approach. The f i r s t thing I do is to thank the manager or owner (if possible) for providing me with this great chance to try their services or product. Or, I will immediately let the waiter, cashier or other employee know that I have the deal voucher and then ask them to thank their boss on my behalf. I’m happy, kind and courteous and do my best to make the service employee have a better day. This small gesture of kindness will
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set the tone for your entire dining or shopping experience. It will make the merchant proud and glad they offered YOU this discount. This holiday season, I hope you’ll join me in saying thanks to the merchants from whom you have received special savings. Leave comments on their Facebook pages, tip extra, make a purchase without a coupon even if there is one, or simply smile and show gratitude to our small local Utah businesses for giving us a discount on their products and services that we might not have discovered otherwise. If you do go back to the business, let them know you found them through a coupon or deal, and you are so glad you did.
Limited time only at participating restaurants. Additional charge for Extras. Plus tax where applicable. No cash value. One coupon per customer per visit. May not be combined with other offers, coupons or discount cards. Coupon must be surrendered with purchase. Void if transferred, sold auctioned, reproduced or altered. ©2015 Doctor's Associates Inc. SUBWAY® is a registered trademark of Doctor's
EXPIRES 12/31/15
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1804 12600 S. • Riverton, UT 84065
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801-302-1182 • 3649 W. 10400 S. • South Jordan 801-282-4741 • 3961 W. 9000 S. • West Jordan
801- 566-4855 • Fax: 801-566 -1190