Taking anything out of my mailbox usually fills me with dread.
That’s because usually the contents of the box require me to pay a bill.
Since just like everyone else I detest paying utility bills, I hardly check my mailbox so that I can at least claim ignorance when the collectors call.
Mailbox Dreams
Sometimes I dream that I will not get a bill but a letter saying I have won great prizes and money and all I need to do is to come and collect them.
Of course, that is wishful thinking since I have not entered any competition and I am not the type of person who randomly gets prizes.
So imagine my delight when I opened my mailbox and saw a small booklet with the title blazoned across it: ‘Community Coupons just for you’.
Community Coupons
What are community coupons?
Well community coupons consist of several retailers offering customers discounted prices for their goods and services.
At first I was not too impressed with the layout of the book, but after closer inspection I realized it had several of my favourite retailers who were offering varied discounts.
Discounts
One of the retailers in the coupon book is Exhale Boutique located in Southdale Plaza which boasted a 5%-10% discount on selected items.
Kerry Kay in Lane Plaza offered varying discounts depending on the number of items bought, while House of Style in the Pavillion Mall offered 10% off shoes and handbags.
If those stores are not your favourite, then there are numerous other areas such as computer repairs and sales as well as jewellry stores which are offering great deals as well. I especially noted that Royale Jewellers have offered customers a 50% off gold jewellery.
Are the discounts any good?
Well, when I spoke to the manager of Royalle Jewellery, located in Tropical Plaza, he assured me that the coupons in the book would be honoured.
Many of the stores in the booklet are really just looking for a way to get customers in the door. So the discounts serve as an encouragement for consumers to make use of their products or service.
It makes sense to check them out but of course always practice due diligence. Do not buy things you do not need just because they are on sale as that is a sure way to go broke!
Don’t be caught in the sale trick of buying five of a selected item just to get one free, unless you are in the business of buying and selling do you really need the five items?
So keep a careful watch over your mailbox so that you can get your own coupon book and remember to share them with family and friends as they expire on May 31, 2015.
Teri Ann Renee Paisley
Gleaner online writer
Tags: coupon book, discounts