Mobile Couponing
Mobile Couponing is an advanced form of using eCoupons. The only difference is that instead of searching and loading e-coupons onto your store’s loyalty card at home using your computer – you can access, search and load the digital coupons while at the store via your mobile browser, or even better – an App.
Who supply mobile couponing services?
Many companies offer eCoupons on their websites. Only a few however provide Apps to use along with your Smartphone.
Currently only Cellfire and SavingStar (Upromise is using the SavingStar platform) offer true mobile couponing Apps. However, if you have a web-enabled mobile device you can always use it in store regardless of whether your e-coupons provider intended it’s website to be used in store.
The difference between using a designated App and a mobile browser is that the Apps are more convenient than a browser. Searching for digital coupons and loading them onto your hand-held device or loyalty card is much easier with the Apps as they are especially designed for that purpose.
Another difference is that when you use your App while shopping – the retailer can respond in real time to your shopping and eCoupon selection by offering you more e-coupons and deals (which has more pros than cons in my view as I explain below).
Where can I find these Apps to download from?
Click the following links to download the free mobile couponing Apps:
- CellFire App for iPhone®.
- CellFire App for Android®
- SavingStar App for iPhone®
- SavingStar App for Android®
Are there any rules to mobile coupons?
As explained above, mobile coupons are actually electronic coupons/digital coupons. All of the rules that apply to eCoupons apply to digital couponing as well.
A word of caution
An iron rule with all couponers and wise shoppers is to prepare in advance. A true couponer compiles a shopping list at home, based on his pantry stockpile and his/her batch of coupons.
While shopping – a wise shopper rarely deviates from his/her shopping list.
Mobile Couponing can easily tempt you into impulsive shopping – exactly the opposite of your money-saving objective. Imagine the following scenario: You’re in the cleaning products aisle, and after choosing a laundry detergent (say Tide brand) and dish washing soap (say Dawn brand) – both of which were on your shopping list you had Cellfire/Shortcuts “cents off” eCoupons for on your mobile device – you impulsively pick up a container of Downey fabric softener and a box of Bounce dryer sheets because you suddenly find “cents off” e-coupons on the website or via your Cellfire/Shortcuts App for these items.
Sounds cool? Not exactly…
This type of impulsive buying is exactly what you’re trying to avoid when it comes to money-saving.
So, should or shouldn’t I use Mobile Couponing?
That is entirely up to you. True – It’s convenient and time saving, but if you can’t resist temptations and find yourself deviating from your shopping list time and again – consider giving it up.
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