Austin is a Big Deal

Austin offers so many opportunities for exploration and discovery that it can be difficult to decide how to pare down the many options available: which new restaurant to try tonight? Which live performance to go see? Fortunately, new “Deal of the Day” sites are partnering with local businesses across town, from far north Lake Travis to far south Olympic Heights, to give Austinites incentive to try out their dishes, wares, and services. These deal sites can offer over 50% off a purchase price to entice patrons into the doors of new or popular businesses. Popular deals in recent months have included 50% off vouchers at Barnes & Noble and Whole Foods, and often feature deals for high demand services like massages, laser hair removal, salon styling, lawn and tree care, personal training, or yoga classes. Deals are sent daily to an email address, or can be viewed by visiting the “Deal of the Day” company’s website. Below are a few of the “Deal of the Day” sites taking root in Austin:

Groupon: Offers discounts at restaurants, service providers, on travel, products, and for online merchants. Deals are purchased in advance, for example, by paying $10 for a $30 gift certificate to a restaurant.

Moolala: A newer “Deal of the Day” site, Moolala is similar to Groupon in that deals can be bought in advance and then used in the same manner as a gift certificate. They have unique deals, for example, offering a pub crawl wrist band and drink discounts to bars on 6^th Street during Halloween.

Eversave Austin: Eversave offers a broad range of deals, covering local businesses to travel excursions. Eversave partners with cruise agents, hotels, and resorts to offer discounts on getaways, in addition to their regular offerings, which specialize in products like custom photo printing, gift items, and more.

Tippr: Tippr is a new kid on the deal block, offering deals on everything from fitness pole dancing classes in Austin to magazine subscriptions to guitar lessons.

Living Social Deals: Living Social has a multitude of Austin partners, and offers deals on everything from spa dental services to photography sessions to sushi dinners. Like all the sites, Living Social Deals only last for 24 – 48 hours, so if there’s one you like, it has to be bought before it expires. Purchased deals typically have a one year expiration date.

Urban Dealight: Urban Dealight is known for their broad range of service offerings in Austin. Recent deals have included lash extension services, tanning, therapeutic hypnosis, reflexology, massages, and veterinarian clinic visits.

Amazon: Amazon has begun tailoring daily deals for cities across the United States, and their Austin deals have included half price movie tickets, salon services, and products available from Amazon Marketplace sellers.

Scoutmob: Scoutmob is a unique deal site, in that it offers free coupons, rather than deals that can be purchased in advance. By receiving Scoutmob’s emails, recipients can visit the Scoutmob site to print select coupons for up to 50% at places like Chedd’s Gourmet Grilled Cheese or Beets Living Foods Café. The deals change every day, and there’s no cost to get the deal.

Austin is still rife with possibilities of how to spend a day or an evening, or where to go for certain services, but having a special deal can help make the selection easier and fun, providing incentive to try new restaurants and businesses.

Austin realtor Brian Talley is a strong supporter of local Austin business, and loves to help and see Austin residents and their endeavors thrive. If you’re looking to set up shop in Austin, Brian can help you in your Austin home search.