VoucherUsers Who Save Thousands of Dollars

Sarah Alex of Edmonton is a ordinary waitress who has a huge interest for vintage products and allnight partying. But her minimum wage doesn’t prevent her from enjoying the lifestyle she aims for. Thanks to couponing sites like Wag Jag, she can buy designer fashion wear, totes and heels without breaking her budget. "I cannot believe that there are new coupons every single day that give away as much as 50% savings. Why would I go someplace else if the malls nearby is giving away 60% discount deals?"

Online coupons are increasingly becoming a trend among smart shoppers who only want the best deals for their hard-earned money. American consumers saved nearly $3.5 billion with coupons in 2009, an increase of $800 million or about 30% more than 2010’s figures. The number of coupons/vouchers issued in the first half of 2010 rose 11.4%, while coupon redemption went up by 7.9% y-o-y, based on a study by NCH Marketing Services. Internet distribution of coupons went up by 92% in the U.S. in 2009.

Canadian shoppers are increasingly taking advantage of local deals. Groupon, WagJag, Team Buy and other couponing websites are bringing the latest local bargains to shoppers in major cities. These couponing sites simplify the process of purchasing and claiming coupons. Consumers can simply download the voucher and simply present it to the participating outlets for redemption. Live deal tracking makes couponing simpler.

Melanie Williams of Toronto was apprehensive to buy online vouchers for fear of cyber frauds. But as ‘Groupon’ became a household name, she realized that she could save quite a lot in retail expenses. She constantly checks her emails for the most recent deals in town, from spa treats to discounted dental treatments.

"You only go to salon once in a while, so why not pick a parlor that offers a bargain?" I always receive new offers in my email every day, so I always rethink when I pass by a salon knowing that a huge discount is just a mouse click away."

Danny Vergara of British Columbia, a father of 4, used to spend all of his credit to get his old car repaired regularly. The costs of auto detailing and repair have been obscenely pricey until he stumbled upon an online voucher redeemable at a car repair shop near home.

"I was thrilled to have my dying car inspected and repaired for only 100 bucks. I would have spent around two hundred dollars had I brought my car to another repair shop.

Since then, Ian has been searching for car repair coupons every month. His coupon addiction now makes his recreational expenses more bearable. From travel packages and hot-stone massage to bowling and kart passes|, his coupon’s inventory is brimming with new offers every day.

The proliferation of couponing sites will bring more savings to every day buyers. As the retail industry faces stiff competition, couponing is fastly becoming an important marketing strategy for both new companies and long-established players. More than 90% of shoppers would walk away from a perfect pair of shoes if not discounted, based on Redplum.com Savings Style Survey. But more than 70% would get it if a deal is available. Fortunately for coupon addicts, there is no need to raise concern about recession and inflation.