Calgary Deals and Discounts

[jtfrogger]

Originally Posted by GoFlamesGo

- HOT DEAL: La Casita Mexicana - $12 for Authentic Mexican Cuisine Dinner (Save 52% Off)

I figure I would look into this one. It has numerous horrible reviews on Urbanspoon within the last couple of months. Oh well, I'll keep waiting for a decent restaurant.

[GoFlamesGo]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Just bought the Entertainment Book. Thanks GFG.

You're very welcome. That's a fantastic deal. I feel a little foolish paying full price for it when it first came out.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by GoFlamesGo

You're very welcome. That's a fantastic deal. I feel a little foolish paying full price for it when it first came out.

Don't. I pay full price for mine every year, and the proceeds go to supporting the hockey team of this kid from a not so well off family I know. He shows up at my work, every year, for the last three years, and makes a very assumptive close. "How many do you want Big Trev?" His dad calls me that, so I guess he thinks being chummier with me, makes me more likely to buy.... he's right. I usually buy one for me, and one for my parents.

[GoFlamesGo]

Originally Posted by pylon

Don't. I pay full price for mine every year, and the proceeds go to supporting the hockey team of this kid from a not so well off family I know. He shows up at my work, every year, for the last three years, and makes a very assumptive close. "How many do you want Big Trev?" His dad calls me that, so I guess he thinks being chummier with me, makes me more likely to buy.... he's right. I usually buy one for me, and one for my parents.

That's a good point. I bought it from my niece for a school fundraiser. I guess the extra 50% that I paid doesn't hurt as bad if it's going to a good cause.

BTW, thanks for the heads up on the Rogers iPhone deal. I posted about it on my blog yesterday and gave you credit for sharing the deal.

[GoFlamesGo]

Thursday, March 3 Deals:

- HOT DEAL: Blue House Café - $29 for $60 Worth of Lobsters, Fresh Seafood, Steaks, Latin American Cuisine and Drinks. Save 52% Off (Today Only, 1 Day Sale)
- HOT DEAL: Calgary Aqua Massage - $20 for Two 20-minute Aqua Massages (Save 67% Off)
- CalgaryOnCanvas.com - $49 for $100 to Spend on Photo-to-Canvas Printing Services (Save 51% Off)
- CalgaryOnCanvas.com - $49 for $100 to Spend on Photo-to-Canvas Printing Services (Save 51% Off)
- Blanc Cosmetics in CrossIron Mills Mall: $75 for a SpaWhite Treatment (Save $135 or 64% Off)
- Air Canada: 15% Off flights in Western Canada Sale Promotional Code (Until Mar 4)
- Michaels: New 40-50% Off Any One Regular Price Item Coupons (March 4-11)
- HOT DEAL: Boss Boxing Gym - $19 for 1 Month of Unlimited Boxing Classes, Gym Usage, and Tanning, plus 2 Training Sessions (Save $181 or 91% Off)
- WickedChili: $25 for $40 Worth of Amazing Indian Cuisine (Save 38% Off)
- Banana Republic: 3 Hours Only Power Lunch 40% Off Full-Priced Suiting Sale (Mar 3 from 11am -2 pm)

DealFind featured a similar deal to Blue House Cafe a couple months ago and it was a very hot seller and sold over 1,000+ vouchers in a day. Due to popular demand, DealFind has a fantastic $29 for $60 Worth of Lobsters, Fresh Seafood, Steaks, Latin American Cuisine and Drinks at Blue House Café today. That's a savings of 52% off and you can stock up on the deal as you may buy up to 5 vouchers for yourself and unlimited as gifts and the vouchers will never expire!

I purchased a couple vouchers the last time around and the place is great. The food is delicious and the portions are very generous.

[Titan]

ON the Blue House Cafe type deals, how does selling 1000 vouchers affect the restaurant and the actual dining experience? Can you actually get in? Is the quality affected because all of a sudden they have to go balls out when they are not really ready for it? I wonder the same about the fitness classes. for example a yoga class goes from 10 people to 50. That does not seem like a deal to me? Any one have any experiences using these vouchers in regards to these concerns?

[Sliver]

Bought the Aqua Massage for $20, less $5 for using DealTicker for the first time. I had one of these massages in West Edmonton Mall and they are totally awesome. If you guys haven't tried it and you're going to be in South Centre, you should pick this up as it's a bargain.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Titan

ON the Blue House Cafe type deals, how does selling 1000 vouchers affect the restaurant and the actual dining experience? Can you actually get in? Is the quality affected because all of a sudden they have to go balls out when they are not really ready for it? I wonder the same about the fitness classes. for example a yoga class goes from 10 people to 50. That does not seem like a deal to me? Any one have any experiences using these vouchers in regards to these concerns?

I bought a yoga one a couple of months ago (30 classes for $30), and it has definitely had an impact on the studio. The beginner classes are always full, and you have to sign up online almost as soon as the class becomes available to reserve (7 days in advance) to have a shot at getting in. The staff said something to me once about how busy they have been because of the vouchers and the classes are almost always full - as in you need to stagger yourself during some poses so you're not hitting the person beside you.

That being said, mainly by timing my sign-ups well, I have been able to get into the beginner classes that I have tried to get into and I have been to about 10 or so classes. This would have cost me about $160 if I had purchased them all separately. The best part, however, is that I have learned a little bit about yoga and I can probably go to any studio now and not feel like a complete newbie. I was kind of intimidated by yoga because I didn't know the culture, I am horribly inflexible, etc. and now I feel comfortable going into a class.

I didn't have expectations of being able to attend all 30 of my classes on the voucher, so I'm happy with it. Basically, you go to two classes and you're already ahead. I have heard some concerns about some places not being to handle the demand (there was a discussion about a car detailing place a while back in this thread).

[GoFlamesGo]

Originally Posted by Titan

ON the Blue House Cafe type deals, how does selling 1000 vouchers affect the restaurant and the actual dining experience? Can you actually get in? Is the quality affected because all of a sudden they have to go balls out when they are not really ready for it? I wonder the same about the fitness classes. for example a yoga class goes from 10 people to 50. That does not seem like a deal to me? Any one have any experiences using these vouchers in regards to these concerns?

I've bought many of the hot selling deals and from my experience haven't really had any issues with any of them. You obviously can't walk into a restaurant on a Saturday night and expect a table right away, but as long as you call and make reservations a week or so in advance, you should be good to go. Most of the vouchers never expire or don't expire for a year so there's no immediate need to use the vouchers right away. The crowds slowly die down over time as more and more vouchers are redeemed. The restaurants are going to be busier then normal, so the servers may not be attentive if the place was dead, but the significant savings more then makes up for it.

My wife buys a lot of the yoga and fitness deals and she mentioned the class sizes are usually about the same (slightly higher). Most of the places that sell a lot of vouchers usually open up additional classes and sessions to handle the demand.

I hope this addresses your concern.

[Superflyer]

I just got a Blue House one as it appears that it is about 5 minutes away from my house. Has anyone been there? It sounds really good. If it really good like it sounds I may pick up another before it expires.

[GoFlamesGo]

Friday, March 4 Deals:

- HOT DEAL: Vitality Wellness & Weight Loss Solutions - $99 for 4 Thirty Minute EMS Body Sculpting and Slimming Sessions, 4 Thirty Minute Heat Diathermy Body Wraps and a Body Composition Analysis (Save $376 or 79%)
- REMINDER: DealTicker.com Exclusive Promo - FREE $5 Credit and a chance to win an iPad and $300 in Prizes!
- HOT DEAL: Stepping Stones to Success - $18 for 2 hours of Tutoring in Any Subject (Save 82% Off)
- HOT DEAL: Consumer Care Services - $49 for Three-Hour Home Cleaning (Save 59% Off)
- Mirchi Restaurant: $20 for $40 Worth of Authentic Pakistani Fare (Save 50% Off)
- Danier Leather: 30-70% Off Everything Must Go Final Clearance Jacket Sale
- The Military Museums: $10 for Admission for Two (Save 50% Off)
- Wicked Chili: $19 for $40 Worth of Hakka and Indian Fare (Save 53% Off)
- AAA Donair & Jamaican Cuisine: $10 for $20 Worth of Authentic Jamaican Dishes (Save 50% Off)
- Bootlegger: Additional 50% Off Sale Items (Until Mar 5)
- Esprit: 40% Off All Items Online Only Sale Code (Mar 3-8)

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by jtfrogger

I figure I would look into this one. It has numerous horrible reviews on Urbanspoon within the last couple of months. Oh well, I'll keep waiting for a decent restaurant.

I bought one of the earlier deals and I'm hesitant to go there. Between those reviews and the photos I found on the flickr stream for ugonnaeatthat.com I think I'll wait to use it. Hopefully they improve their service before they go under.

[stuckinchuck]

Originally Posted by DownInFlames

I bought one of the earlier deals and I'm hesitant to go there. Between those reviews and the photos I found on the flickr stream for ugonnaeatthat.com I think I'll wait to use it. Hopefully they improve their service before they go under.

I used my voucher there last Saturday. Terrible food. I'd give that voucher to someone you don't like too much. Bland and expensive. I'd rather go down the street to Los Chilitos and spend the extra cash for good Mexican.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by GoFlamesGo

The restaurants are going to be busier then normal, so the servers may not be attentive if the place was dead, but the significant savings more then makes up for it.
.

I definitely find I get worse service when using a deal voucher. Maybe servers feel they get worse tips, but I've gone to more than one restaurant with and without a voucher where the service was much worse when I used the voucher, even if it isn't busy.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

I definitely find I get worse service when using a deal voucher. Maybe servers feel they get worse tips, but I've gone to more than one restaurant with and without a voucher where the service was much worse when I used the voucher, even if it isn't busy.

I worry about this as well, which is why I don't tell them about the voucher until I ask for the bill. Same thing when I use a treasure chest coupon.

[GoFlamesGo]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

I definitely find I get worse service when using a deal voucher. Maybe servers feel they get worse tips, but I've gone to more than one restaurant with and without a voucher where the service was much worse when I used the voucher, even if it isn't busy.

I buy a ton of restaurant deals and have probably used close to 40 different vouchers around the city and have never had any issues.

I always tell them I'll be using a voucher when I make reservations. When I arrive, the hosts will ask for my voucher about half the time before they seat me and the other half of the time, they make no mention of it. I doubt the servers ever know I'll be using a voucher until the bill comes. I don't see why the servers would even care if I used a voucher or not as it doesn't effect them whatsoever. You're suppose to tip on the regular bill, not the discounted bill.

[GoFlamesGo]

Saturday, March 5 Deals:

- HOT DEAL Reminder: Vitality Wellness & Weight Loss Solutions - $99 for 4 Thirty Minute EMS Body Sculpting and Slimming Sessions, 4 Thirty Minute Heat Diathermy Body Wraps and a Body Composition Analysis (Save $376 or 79%)
- TechPro Computer Solutions - $24 for an Hour-Long, On-Site Computer Tune-Up (Save 70% Off)
- Barbara Moore Academy of Dance: $25 for One Month of Adults' Dance Classes (Save 49% Off)
- TaxTron Tax Software: $10 for TaxTron 2010 Tax Preparation Software (Save 60% Off)
- Flavour Me Pizza in Calgary: $9 for $20 Worth of delicious Pizza (Save 55% Off)
- Sears Canada: 2 Day Weekend Sale. Save up to 50% Off Select Items (Mar 5-6)
- Canadian Tire: Get a $10 Promo Card when you spend $40 or more in-store (Mar 5 Only)
- Roots Canada: Enjoy $25 Off when you spend $100 or more (Until Mar 21)

Have a great weekend everyone!

[GGG]

Originally Posted by GoFlamesGo

I buy a ton of restaurant deals and have probably used close to 40 different vouchers around the city and have never had any issues.

I always tell them I'll be using a voucher when I make reservations. When I arrive, the hosts will ask for my voucher about half the time before they seat me and the other half of the time, they make no mention of it. I doubt the servers ever know I'll be using a voucher until the bill comes. I don't see why the servers would even care if I used a voucher or not as it doesn't effect them whatsoever. You're suppose to tip on the regular bill, not the discounted bill.

When I used to work in a restaurant we used to categorize our customers based on their perceived potential to tip. You would give the best service to the people you believed were most inclined to tip. Granted this was self fulfilling as the people you gave better service to tipped better. But one of the groups that I generally gave poorer service to was coupon users. As a group they tip poorer than non coupon users.

Now I have bought a bunch of the vouchers and have never had poor service as a result but I can see where servers would make the decision to give better service to other groups when a night gets very busy.

I also think that many people in general have unreasonable expectations as to the service they get on a busy night in a restaurant and then would blame the coupon if they didn't get the service that they expected.

[stuckinchuck]

Originally Posted by GGG

When I used to work in a restaurant we used to categorize our customers based on their perceived potential to tip. You would give the best service to the people you believed were most inclined to tip. Granted this was self fulfilling as the people you gave better service to tipped better. But one of the groups that I generally gave poorer service to was coupon users. As a group they tip poorer than non coupon users.

Now I have bought a bunch of the vouchers and have never had poor service as a result but I can see where servers would make the decision to give better service to other groups when a night gets very busy.

I also think that many people in general have unreasonable expectations as to the service they get on a busy night in a restaurant and then would blame the coupon if they didn't get the service that they expected.

Funny that coupon user's get worse service. Maybe that's why they tip lower? It's a whole chicken or egg scenario.

[jtfrogger]

Originally Posted by GoFlamesGo

Saturday, March 5 Deals:

- TaxTron Tax Software: $10 for TaxTron 2010 Tax Preparation Software (Save 60% Off)

Given that you think this is a deal, what advantage do you think this gives over StudioTax (which is free)?