Top tips for using online deal sites

With so many offers available on online deal sites, it can be difficult to know whether you’ve bagged yourself a real bargain or something from the bargain bin. To make sure you get a real deal, follow our top tips for online deal sites:

Know exactly what you’re getting for your money. Read the small print of the offer so that you are clear about what exactly you are buying. For example, if the offer is for a meal, check how many courses are included, or if you are buying a hair makeover, find out whether it includes a colour, cut, or both. That way you’ll know whether you’re actually getting a good deal.

Check the availability of the deal and the expiry date: Some voucher deals restrict the times when your deal may be available, for example some hotel or restaurant deals may only be available midweek. Others state that supply of the product or service will be at the discretion of the trader and this means you have less flexibility around when you use it. In such cases, check directly with the trader about restrictions before committing to the purchase.

Try not to buy a product just because it is discounted: The idea of special offers is based on the notion that if you don’t purchase the offer immediately, you may never again get such a good bargain. In some cases this may be true, so if the deal is for something you wanted to buy or do anyway, then it may make sense to pounce. But if the deal seems attractive simply because it’s too cheap to miss, it might be worth checking with the supplier whether they run other promotions or offers that you might be able to pick up at your leisure, rather than rushing into a panic buy for something you might not want!

Know your supplier/product: A cheap bargain might look good on paper, but if it’s not up to the standard you expect, your great deal might turn out to be a big let down. It’s always helpful to have a clear idea of what you are buying, so if you don’t know the business before you purchase, see if you can find some online reviews or customer testimonials to give you an indication of how others have fared.

Use it quickly: A ‘voucher deal’ is similar to a gift voucher – once you have the voucher, if the business closes or changes hands, you have very little comeback. The best way to avoid losing out if a company closes down is to use your voucher as quickly as possible. So don’t put your vouchers down the back of your sock drawer to save for a rainy day – plan to use them as soon as you can.

Check the terms and conditions of the online deal site: Some sites offer very good returns policies and may even refund the cost of the voucher if you forget to use it.

If you are buying a voucher as a gift, don’t forget to pass on all the terms and conditions especially the expiry dates or any other restrictions on the vouchers.