I’ve never really got into the Groupon, Wagjag and other social savings things. I am not sure what it is, perhaps I don’t like being part of a crowd. And really, when you live in a small town, the offerings are pretty slim. Emile convinced me to sign up for Groupon, and every day I get some mostly ignored email telling me about Indian food or fitness classes or facials. Which usually goes right into garbage.
It had not been one of my best weeks, or best days for that matter, so I decided to read my “exclusive” Groupon mail to distract me from the fact that it was 5:15 pm – on a day I was planning to sneak out early – waiting for the customs broker to find the FDA import number for a critical shipment. It was “spend $5 to get a $10 gift certificate at Starbucks”. Now, I go to Starbucks. I also go to Tim Horton’s. The difference to me is that Starbucks is for when I am trying to aspire to something (what, I don’t know yet) and Tim Horton’s is for when I realize I don’t need to aspire.
And I am also Starbuck’s worst customer – never buy food, always insist on saying large (not Starbucks made up language), and always buy the cheapest item – a tea for $2.18.
So, when I read the fine print and all seemed on the up and up, I decided that this purchase would probably be the most satisfying thing I do all week. Saving my $5 and topping up my Starbucks card. So I went for it.
Over the weekend I went into a Starbucks to buy one of my cheap – and 50% off – tea. I was then asked to do a survey. If I went home and completed the survey, I would get a drink code good for one tall small beverage. Okay. So I did.
But I am not a dummy – no no! I gave the coupon to my husband to spend on a more premium item – like a hot chocolate – because don’t waste it on tea!
March 21st, 2013 Extra-Ordinary: Converted $1.09 into $5.00. And I was right, it was one of the few satisfying items from that weekend.