As moms, we are always on the look-out for sale, discounts and promos. Imagine my excitement upon learning discount vouchers being offered online.
While surfing the net last year, I stumbled upon Metrodeal's offer for Cheesecake Factory’s 10th year anniversary promo – 50% off on best seller cheese cakes! Isn’t that great??? I checked on the branches’ locations and there is one in Tomas Morato (convenient for me).
Imagine my disappointment when I went to Tomas Morato branch to learn that I still need to call and reserve for a cake. I was supposed to have this cake on Apol’s 11th birthday. No choice, so I went to Red Ribbon for my back-up plan. It was my fault anyway for not making a reservation.
Then after two weeks, I called to claim my vouchers since I have two and still haven’t used any. I’m dying to eat a cheesecake! I got my second disappointment. I learned that there is a branch assigned for each voucher. Unfortunately, mine is in Glorietta! WTF!!! This is really frustrating already. I seldom go to Makati since it’s very far from home and the office. I only go there for a company visit, with free service of course!
With these mishaps, I was not able to use my discount vouchers since it's so incovenient for me to go to Makati. That is Php1,200.00 loss for me.
This is not the first time that I was disappointed with discount vouchers. First was with Dezzato Moichi restaurant. I bought 5 vouchers for my birthday. I’ve checked the photos online and found the ambiance and food appealing. But to our surprise, the food doesn’t taste good. It was a bad way of celebrating my birthday. My kids even complain of not being satisfied with the food (until now, when they remember that event).
Today, I saw my Citibank billing statement and found out that they charged me additional Php 250.00 (as a service fee) for items amounting to Php398.00 that I availed through Ensogo. It turned out, I only had a discount of around 10-20% instead of supposedly 50%.
Are discount vouchers not good? Not really, you just have to be aware of the fine prints.
Are discount vouchers not good? Not really, you just have to be aware of the fine prints.
To avoid this from happening again, here are my tips (based on my own (not-so-good) experience):
- Be sure to read very well all the policies and details incorporated on the offer.
- Check very well the locations where you can claim the voucher.
- Be sure that the restaurant, brand or any establishment that offers the discount is well known. At least you knew what to expect.
- Check the validity period.
- Think 1000x before buying travel vouchers since you can only claim the plane tickets when there is a promo and available seats.
- Check with your credit card provider; if there are service fees for every online transactions made.
- Have self-control in availing the offers. You might not really need the offers anyway.
Discount vouchers can give us big savings, but we have to be aware of all the terms and conditions and consequences before availing one. You might end up paying more.
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Noted mam.
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