"Daily deal" websites take off
Just this week, Facebook announced a plan to test such a service.
One such site, "Groupon," has soared in popularity, and hundreds of sites now offer similar savings.
Most feature short-term daily deals that discount products and services by more than 80 percent. And while some daily deals are for a single type of product or service, others sell anything.
On "The Early Show on Saturday Morning," Jason Cochran, contributing editor of DealNews.com, pointed to several he deems most noteworthy:
Cochran said he's "astonished" at how quickly the deals sites have caught on. "I think people like to feel like they're on top of things. They like to feel they're getting something no one else is getting. And the minute they see this e-mail (deal alerts from one of the sites) in their in-box in the morning, they jump on it, and that, I think is how (the sites and retailers offering the bargains) make so much money, so quickly."But, he added, "I think, in the end, we spend more money than we know we're spending, because we're so excited to be in on something."
The trick, he says, is not to buy too much, and only to buy what you need. And, "Price it out first. Maybe you get it cheaper otherwise, but usually, you can't."
It created the market, offers a healthy variety of daily deals in numerous cities, and has international deals, too.
It offers a healthy variety of daily deals in numerous cities, has had knockout deals in the past (such as a $20 Amazon gift card for $10), has international deals, and recently added a "family deals" section, as well as "LivingSocial Escapes," which has vacation packages.
Deals are only $1. Site's staff hails from Gourmet, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit. This is the premiere site for foodies hungry for a deal chosen by food experts.
Offers discounts for services such as spa services, massages, waxings, teeth whitening, yoga classes, gym/personal training sessions, diet/nutrition counseling, etc. It's all about pampering yourself. Another plus: This is one of the very few sites (if not the only one) with an 800 phone number for customer support, and they make it easy to find it on their website. You can also write reviews for points and manage your appointments online after you've purchased the deals
It offers luxury deals -- wine tastings, sushi-making classes at Nobu, hair appointments at trendy salons, etc. It's great if you're single or young or like trendy places. A deal is good even if only one person wants it, as long as supplies last.
For much more on all these sites, from DealNews.com, click here.