Joanie Demer bought an 88-cent yogurt and, with a couple of clicks on her smartphone, she received a $1 discount on the product. Demer, also known as the 'Krazy Coupon Lady,' says with the help of some new technology, it's easier than ever to cash in on coupons, rebates and price-matching discounts.
"The online component has really changed the game," Demer said in an interview with CTVNews.ca.
CTVNews.ca looked at three ways consumers can take advantage of the growing number of mobile apps that allow shoppers to match prices and cash in on rebates, without having to clip coupons or flip through flyers.
PRICE MATCHING
Under ad-matching programs, retailers offer the same price advertised by any local competitor. Demer says, with the rise of online shopping, some big box stores are matching prices found on websites like Amazon.
"As consumers, we appreciate what Amazon is doing because they're challenging these other big box stores to drop their prices so the consumer wins in the end -- so long as they're smart enough to take advantage of price-matching."
Demer says, when she’s in brick-and-mortar stores, she scans barcodes using the Amazon app, to quickly pull up the online retailer’s prices. If it’s lower, she simply asks the retailer to match the price.
Toronto-based company Flipp is also popularizing price matching. The Flipp app compiles the flyers from hundreds of retailers in your area and lets users search for specific items to find the best price. Users can "clip" the coupon with a single tap.
The company says by the end of this year it expects to have five to six million users in Canada and 10 million users in the U.S.
Flipp's managing director Jeff Francis recently told CTV Toronto that the app allows shoppers to "double down" on discounts.
"What's interesting about coupons and flyers is, one is savings from the brand, and one is savings from the store. So you can get surprising combinations that are deeper discounts than you would usually get."
EBATES
If you prefer to shop from the comforts of your own home, Ebates provides cash-back on online purchases from hundreds of retailers. The company returns a percentage of members' online purchases, provided that they access the online shops via the Ebates website.
The company says it receives a commission from online stores when its members make a purchase, and a portion of the commission is shared with the shopper.
Some of the retailers listed on the Ebates website include Amazon.ca, eBay, Walmart, Etsy, Hudson's Bay, indigo.ca, Microsoft and Sephora—all which offer between 2 and 10 per cent cash back on purchases.
Every three months Ebates sends their members a cheque, or deposits their payments into their PayPal account. Members can also opt to send their rebate cheques directly to a charity, organization, or family member.
REBATE APPS
For those who still shop in stores, rebate apps allow shoppers to cash in on discounts by simply snapping a photo of their receipt.
Demer says there are approximately one dozen rebate apps that offer discounts on common household items. She said manufactures offer the discount, and the app works as a "middle man", taking a cut of the discount.
Toronto-based Checkout 51, for example, lists new discounts on a weekly basis. Examples include $0.50 cash back any loaf of bread, $1 cash back on Breyers ice cream, or $3 on Pedigree dog food.
Users simply take a photo of their receipt and upload to the app to receive their discount.
"The cash-out threshold sets them apart," Demer said.
Checkout 51 sends their users a cheque once their account reaches $20, while other apps provide the cash-back savings immediately.
The apps appeal to different shoppers, Demer said, noting that some offer discounts on all-natural and artisan food items, while others might focus on larger manufacturing brands.
Other rebate apps on the market include:
For those who are new to couponing in the digital world, Demer says it could be overwhelming. But she recommends focusing on one retailer and using online tools to start "stacking up savings."
