18.3.14

coupons, cashback and bargain!

CASHBACK : Cash back can refer to two different kinds of card transactions: 

1) An option available to retail consumers when, during a debit card transaction, the customer can request to add an extra amount to the purchase price and receive the added amount in cash. Cash back using debit provides customers a convenient method of obtaining cash when purchasing goods and services without having to make a separate trip to an ATM or bank. 

2) A cardholder benefit offered by some credit card companies that pays the cardholder a small percentage of their net expenditures (purchases less refunds). Cash back benefits often provide the cardholder with the opportunity to choose from taking the cash, or using the "points" for purchases, travel (as with miles awards for air travel) or gift cards. Typically, cardholders must reach a certain points level to redeem for cash or other benefits. Some credit cards offer varying levels of cash back depending on the purchase. For example, a cardholder might earn 5% back on gas purchases, 2% on groceries and 1%on all other purchases.


BARGAIN : 

1. An agreement between parties fixing obligations that each promises to carry out

2.a. An agreement establishing the terms of a sale or exchange of goods or services.
   b. Property acquired or services rendered as a result of such an agreement.

3. Something offered or acquired at a price advantageous to the buyer.


COUPONS :

     1.
a voucher entitling the holder to a discount off a particular product.

2.a. 
One of a set of detachable certificates that may be torn off and redeemed as needed.   b. A detachable part, as of a ticket or advertisement, that entitles the bearer to certain benefits, such as             cash refund or gift.   c. A certificate accompanying a product that may be redeemed for a cash discount.   d. A printed form, as in an advertisement, to be used as an order blank or for requesting information or                obtaining a discount on merchandise.
3. 
A detachable slip calling for periodic payments, as for merchandise bought on an installment plan.




This post is a part of the Shop, only to Save More!Activity by GoPaisa.com in association with BlogAdda.com.










15.3.14

Coupon : Just Rock On!

I was sipping a soft drink in the college canteen when a friend came near me with a tensed look.I looked at him and asked 'What is the matter?Why are you so tense?'
He replied 'Buddy,my girlfriend's birthday is approaching.I know that she loves watches.But,as I am going through a severe economic crisis,I can't afford to gift her a good branded watch.'

I said 'If there is a will,there is a way.We will find out some solution.'
He replied 'Buddy,I have already visited each and every watch store,but none of them are offering any discounts.I had tried to bargain,but it's of no use.'

I said 'Come on!What is your budget?'
He replied 'Rs 1,000/- .'
I thought for a moment and said 'Let's go to the computer lab.We will purchase the best watch at the best price via online shopping sites.'
He agreed and we went to the computer lab.

I opened a reputed shopping site which was famous for genuine products and discount coupons.I selected the category 'Watches for Ladies' and then sorted the watches according to price 'Low to High.'

A very popular brand among the youth was offering a cashback of 50% on all orders above Rs 1400/- by applying a Coupon-"FEELINGlUCKY".Both of us were very happy to see this amazing offer.My friend chose the best model which was priced at Rs 1500/- and placed the order for which he had to pay only Rs 750/- which was lower than his budget of Rs 1,000/-.

As the coupons had saved Rs 250/- for my friend,He took me to the college canteen and gave me a treat of 2 burgers,2 samosas and 2 soft drinks :) 

This post is a part of the Shop, only to Save More! Activity by GoPaisa.com in association with BlogAdda.com.

14.3.14

Coupons are my secret weapons!

The epic rivalry was back!India v/s Pakistan cricket match!
I took the shower & switched on the television before the scheduled live telecast so that I would not miss even 'The Toss'.
After a few seconds,a silly advertisement started howling and I ran to grab an apple.After all,I needed the energy to cheer for India :)

And then a series of unfortunate events started following me :(

Dad shouted - 'why are you wasting your time and increasing electricity bill?India is going to lose.'

And,in the mean time,the captain of India lost the toss as usual and Pakistan decided to bat first.

It was a frustrating moment for me because I loved to watch the power packed batting of India.
I banged my fist on the table in frustration and was just going to curse when I realized that Dad was watching me.

I controlled my 'Patriotic' emotions and replied - 'Dad,please!India always wins the 'Do or Die' games.Please let me focus on the game.'

Dad said - 'On one condition!I know that you love to watch the batting of India but India is going to bat second today. I have a meeting at Hyderabad next week.Go to my travel agent and book my flight tickets and you are free to watch the match.'


I could not believe my luck.Why God Why?Why today?Why on the match day?

I started to kick my bike reluctantly as I had no other option.Suddenly an Idea struck me just like the lightning bolt of Zeus!
I thought- 'I can book the flight tickets online so that I can make Dad happy as well as watch each & every moment of the match.'


I came inside and shouted 'Dad,I have the perfect solution.'
Dad gave a frosty nosed stare and snorted 'And what is that?Another well planned excuse?'
I said 'No dad.I know my responsibility(LOL silently at myself).I will book your flight tickets online.'
Dad was furious.He angrily said 'No way!I trust my travel agent.Online sites are full of scams.You will deduct the money from my account and I can never attend the meeting.'


I said 'Dad,just give me a chance.All websites are not fake.

Some are very reputed sites which have been well appreciated by travellers all across the globe.'
Dad was still in doubt as he had never used an online site to book flight tickets.
I understood his doubt and I assured him that everything would be fine.
Still my Dad was reluctant.He said 'just go to my travel agent.'
I said 'Fine,You trust your travel agent.Just call him and ask him about the fare of air tickets.'
Dad shook his head in disbelief and called his travel agent and asked him about the fare of air tickets.


After two minutes,Dad called me and said 'My agent has offered the best bargain price of Rs 12,000 /- for the round trip.Now do not lose any moment and rush to his office.'
I said 'Dad,give me two minutes.At least let me check the online sites.'
Dad said 'Fine,do whatever you want.Something is wrong with your generation.You guys never listen to elders.GO and check your so called online sites.But remember that if any amount gets deducted from my account without successful booking of my tickets,you will not get any pocket money this month.'


I accepted the challenge and said YES!

I opened my laptop,plugged in my dongle,opened a browser,typed a search engine and searched for the best deals on flight ticket booking.
The search engine bombarded my laptop screen with many links.Now this was the tricky part.I had to choose the reputed websites,not some fishy one.
I opened a few links,went through the reviews of customers,rating points etc and finally zeroed in on one website.

I opened that website in a new tab.I entered the round trip details of my Dad and when I clicked 'Search Flights',suddenly a message flashed on my laptop screen 'FLAT Rs 2000/- OFF ON ROUND TRIP BOOKINGS OR CASHBACK OF Rs 500/- on ONE WAY TRIP BOOKINGS!Use COUPON CODE 2000OFF during CHECKOUT.'
My heart started screaming in joy,but I thought 'what if the fare is Rs 14,000/- and Rs 2000/- is off on Rs 14,000/- ?It will be of no use as the travel agent is also offering the same price.'
I pacified my heart,gathered some courage and pressed ENTER!
Voila!The total cost of the round trip was Rs 11,500 /- and after applying the coupon (2000OFF),I had to pay only Rs 9,500/- which was way lesser that the price offered by my Dad's trustworthy travel agent!


I booked the flight tickets using my Dad's debit card and I showed him the e-receipt of the flight tickets.

Dad checked carefully and said 'what if these tickets are fake?what is the proof that these tickets are real?'
I called the customer care of the airline and I gave them the PNR of Dad's flight ticket and asked about flight status.
The customer care representative replied 'Status Confirmed.Kindly use Web Check in soon to avoid rush during the date of journey.'
I used the airline's web check in facility to select a window seat for Dad and I received the boarding pass in .PDF format in my mailbox.


When Dad saw the boarding pass,he was very happy.He said 'Now I can believe that these tickets are authentic.'

I said 'Dad,perhaps you have not noticed that the price of these tickets is only rs 9,500 /-.
Dad was surprised and he cross checked the price of the tickets.
Then he replied 'How is this possible?How can the price be so less?
I said 'Dad,this is the power of online sites with the added advantage of discounts in the form of coupons.'
Dad hugged me and said 'I trusted that travel agent and he always cheated me.Online sites are better,cheaper and convenient.'
I said 'Yes Dad.I had told you.'

Suddenly,the television roared 'Annnnndddddd Pakistan has lost the first wicket' and both me and my Dad rushed to watch the replay.


In this way,online sites and coupons saved the day for me!




P.S. India won the match by 6 wickets and My favorite Virat Kohli slammed a fast and furious CENTURY!




This post is a part of the Shop, only to Save More! Activity by GoPaisa.com in association with BlogAdda.com.





























13.3.14

Make me an Offer which I can't refuse!

A boring sunday.
A broken mobile.
A sms which showed 'Salary has been credited'.
Yawn!

I needed a mobile immediately.But I was too lazy to hit the road.
I opened my laptop & searched for some online shopping websites to find the latest smartphone models.
After lots of research,I decided to buy a Nokia Lumia smartphone.
Suddenly,I remembered that I had saved the contact numbers of a few local mobile dealers in my mailbox.
I called them & asked about the price.All of them replied that nobody can offer a price below 18k. I was not in the mood to bargain.

18k was certainly not my cup of tea.I started thinking.
Suddenly an ad flashed on the corner of my browser : 'Huge discount on mobiles'.
I clicked that ad which redirected me to a coupon website.
That website had numerous coupons which claimed that after applying those coupons,the price of mobiles will reduce automatically.Some coupons even offered cashback on selected smartphones.

At first,I did not believe.But when I applied one of the coupons in a shopping website,My desired smartphone reflected a reduced price of 16k. I was very happy.
I placed an order instantly with Cash On Delivery mode of payment.
I received my smartphone the very next day & Today I am flaunting it with style.
And,of course,I have started the journey of 'Online Shopping with Coupons'.



This post is a part of the Save, only to Shop More! Activity by GoPaisa.com in association with BlogAdda.com.