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Surf for Savings
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Discount Codes: The Haggle-Free Gateway to Bargains
Writes Dan Drage dan.drage@consumerchoices.co.uk
The trend for using discount codes in conjunction with online purchases is on the rise.
Discount codes, also known as product codes, promotional codes, rate codes and gift certificates, are typed in at the checkout stage of a retail website transaction.
These codes, which can be found on a number of specialist websites, permit the user to obtain a discount from their purchase. The codes are obtained free of charge and are often designed by the retailer to help shift slow moving stock.
Hits on UK discount code sites have risen by 35% in the UK and 56% stateside according to Hitwise. Nearly two-thirds of search engine queries driving traffic to discount code websites included branded keywords.
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"Some discount codes go beyond mere money off into the new and exciting world of free"
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Mark Pearson of myvouchers.co.uk is quick to highlight the intelligence behind using discount vouchers as a marketing tool:
“The companies send an offer to everyone on their email list and those people will do the work for them. They only need to send it once and it will spread like wildfire.”
Not only does this method cost less than traditional marketing, but this way of drumming up business has another advantage: some buyers still end up paying the full price for goods.
Chris Eagle, Commercial Manager at Credit Choices, has the inside track on the best bargains:
"Some discount codes go beyond mere money off into the new and exciting world of free"
He continues:
"Orange offer free SIM cards with discount codes and Laura Ashley with give you a free throw if you order any of their products from Grattan using discount codes."
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