More sites like Groupon! Save money with this list and description of five of the best deal of the day websites for your region.
Already a Groupon user? With a reported fifty million users, free membership, and discounts of 50 - 60% on entertainment and services in your area, Groupon is one of the most popular location based, deal of the day websites. The competition is growing, however, with these other great sites to save you money in your region.
- Living Social. This free site requires that you enter an email address and location to subscribe to their daily deal service. With upscale offerings like spa and salon services, golf, resort getaways, and restaurant coupons, Living Social specializes in entertainment deals. Prices range from about $50 for family entertainment to about $200-$350 dollars for resort getaways. In addition to the described deal, this site offers incentives for getting other members to purchase. A mobile app is also available.
- Google Offers. Google has received a lot of press for their failed six billion dollar offer to purchase Groupon. Google Offers is still in beta in all but a few cities, but the power of Google can't be ignored. This free service offers unique food products, museum and entertainment tickets, and restaurant discounts. Deals usually represent about a 50% discount from retail and tend to be less expensive and for less extravagant products than those found on Living Social; prices range from about $20 - $50.
- Rue LaLa: A high end fashion site, recently adding some services like fine dining. Rue LaLa is a membership only (but free) service. (While the website emphasizes it's "exclusive" membership, simply knowing the email address of another member allows instant password creation and gets the referring member an incentive.) The deep discounts - usually more than 50% - make this a great site for the budget conscious fashionista. Brands are mid-range and purchase prices are generally from $50 - $150. for clothes, shoes, accessories, and household items. In addition to the "Boutique" deals, RueLaLa has started offering location-based fine dining and entertainment discounts in certain cities.
- Woot: One of the earliest "Deal of the Day" websites, Woot focuses on technology products. Products are purchased directly from the website, but Woot does not provide technical support for products purchased, which are often refurbished. A great site for all geeks, the prices are excellent for name brand products and reviews of the site are heavily positive. In addition to great deals, Woot is known for the quirky humor displayed on their website: check out their customer support policy for an example of corporate honesty.
- The Dealmap: Recently purchased by Google, The Dealmap is not a provider but an aggregator. Click on the map to find a listing all of the deals currently available from Groupon, Living Social, Google Offers, and others all in one place.
Copyright Miriam McNabb. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
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