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Subscribe to RSSA lackluster economy plus ubiquitous mobile technology are behind a surprising date-night trend: More than a quarter of people say they’ve used a coupon to pay for a first date.
A survey conducted by Harris Interactive for CouponCabin.com found that 26 percent of people have brought a coupon to a first date. A voucher or discount code is no third wheel, though; 26 percent also said they would react positively to a coupon-financed first date, up from 18 percent last year.
Nearly three-quarters said that using a coupon wouldn’t prompt them to walk out or deter them from seeing the person again. Only 1 percent of people said they’d walk out on a date who proffered a coupon, while 3 percent would vocalize their displeasure and another 12 percent would keep quiet, but turn that first date into a last date.
“After the past recession and with the recent state of the economy, people definitely have to start educating themselves on how to save money and do what they can to put some extra money in their pockets,” said Jackie Warrick, president of CouponCabin.com. “It’s definitely become a part of people’s everyday life and it’s not seen as taboo.”
According to the survey, 49 percent respondents said they’re more likely to use a coupon on a date because of the economy. (The survey was conducted on a random sampling of more than 2,300 adults, not necessarily CouponCabin users, which might have skewed the results pro-coupon.)
More than seven out of 10 respondents said it’s okay to use a coupon on a date anytime, while 37 percent said it’s acceptable for married couples and 31 percent said students can get away with pulling out a coupon when it’s time to pay. Only 4 percent said it’s “never” acceptable to use a coupon “on any kind of date.”
While the economy is the catalyst, the growing use of smartphones is what makes date-night couponing so prevalent, Warrick said.
“With the rise of digital and mobile technology, people can access coupons on their phones on the go,” she said. Technology makes it possible to use coupons without pre-planning: Merchants use location-based services like Yelp and Foursquare to push offers to people in the area, and mobile apps mean it’s not necessary to print up a paper coupon or gift certificate at home.
The ubiquity of daily deal sites like Groupon.com and LivingSocial.com, which frequently offer discounts on date-friendly activities like bike rentals and sunset cruises, also contributes to the growing acceptance of cut-rate dates, Warrick said. “It’s definitely allowing people to get out there and do more.”
But you don’t need to take your date rock-climbing. Couponing has been incorporated into that old standby of dinner and a movie, Warrick said. Sites like Fandango and Restaurant.com let restaurant and movie theater operators reach customers who want a traditional night out without breaking the bank.
Rather than viewing a coupon as the mark of a cheapskate, Warrick said it’s actually a desirable quality to display on a date in these economic times. “It definitely conveys that you’re smart with your money,” she said.
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I would not do it myself but if my date paid for me with a coupon I would be more than happy! ;)
It will never be "cool" to be a "cheap" anything.
I don't have first dates anymore, since I'm married, but I always check for coupons before going out. Why pay full price when I don't need to?
Even with my 6-figure income and investments, I don't feel the need to waste money that does not require wasting.
Never understood the stigma of people using coupons or shopping to save money.
Lets see....I can SAVE money and/or buy MORE stuff!?!?!
Wasting money is the sign of a person who will not be financially sound later on.
Obviously there is a time and place for things...I don't think you should be using a coupon on a anniversary unless it's needed due to your situation.
Also, if you are buying the first date and are worried about it...get up to use the bathroom and find the waiter/waitress and slip them the coupon out of sight. Lots of people do that. Since you are picking up the bill, the date won't know anyway.
No, it's not cool. When given a choice between two otherwise equal choices, an intelligent female will choose the one with more resources. Why? Because the more fit male will be better able to provide for any future offspring. This is animal behavior 101. The goal of life is to propogate your genetic material.
Guess what? The guy that uses a coupon is more likely to have more resources in the future than the spendthrift that pays full price to impress the bimbo.
I would be impressed by a man who paid for a date with a coupon. Times are challenging and it's about using your resources wisely, not throwing money around. I think this man would make a better mate because he would value the money we work hard for and not piss it on flash and dash.
Not using a coupon doesn't indicate more resources. It indicates a less intelligent use of them. As long as the restaurant had been chosen for it's good food, ambiance and was a nice setting for a date, I'd have no objection whatsoever. I'd actually be impressed that the person put enough thought into the date to actually look for one and find one.
I'm sure in the world of the haves, it would not be cool. In my world it would be awesome even if we ended up in a family diner. I love eating out and have expensive tastes that I really can't afford (I've experienced fine dining once in my entire life). If a coupon meant the difference between going to someplace with good food or not there's no way I'd walk out on someone with a coupon.
I totally agree with the others when it comes to picking a mate. A smart man knows when to impress and he also knows how to economize and if he's really intelligent he can do both at the same time. Maybe it was because of the type of men I grew up around, but I always saw intelligence as being the most desirable trait in a man.
My father did the same thing with my mother. They always use coupons and, when dating, he used "early-bird" dinners oir took her to lunch instead of dinner. Did she find him "cheap"? Yes, but married him anyways. They started their married life with nothing to furnish their apartment, but, thanks to his penny-pinching ways, they managed to raise and pay for college for four children. Additionally, he is now worth over 2 million dollars. So, don't exclude the cheapskate as being unable to provide resources---they may end up better off then the one charging that meal and headed towards bankruptcy.
Sorry that you consider women to be "bimbos". No wonder you're still single.
I tried to pay for my date with a coupon once, then she pulled out a knife and called her pimp!
Joe,
that's just plain STUPID.
It's called being resourceful and mindful about $. I don't care what gender you are. And btw - I'm female!
I don't think it's that cut and dry for a Yes or No question.
One novel way to ask someone on a date might be for someone to say they have a coupon for a second meal at half price at a decent restaurant and ask a co-worker if she'd like to help you use the coupon. That kind of approach wouldn't come off as creepy if she replied that she had a boyfriend or whatever, since you could say "no problem, I'll see if anyone else is free". Most dating happens in the workplace, but initiating and responding can often be really awkward. If it's just lunch or dinner, there's no big deal. Offering to pay for everything is an official date. Using a coupon is just an icebreaker.
I had a boss who used to do that. If he wanted to go to lunch, you know he had a 2 for 1 coupon.
And finally:
Q: What's the ultimate in a cheap date?
A: Taking an anorexic to dinner.
All my restaurant coupons are homemade and say "Free Hug".
I had a date do exactly that about 10 years ago. Had he done JUST that, it wouldn't have been all that bad, but he brought in an expired coupon and then proceeded to argue with the owner of the restaurant over it. My date ended up turning really ugly on the guy and started calling him racist names. At the end of the night, I told him i was ashamed to associate with a person such as himself, and gave him a taste of his own medicine. Then he actually had the guts to call me and ask for another date in spite of the names I called him.
There is a huge difference between a stupid arrogant jerk, and a thrifty person. Not many people can make that distinction, but I'm glad you have.
But why did you sink to his level?
You could really impress her and buy used condoms.
I always re-use my condoms at least 3 times, not always with the same person (wink).
Dates are for splurging. Whether a first date, or an anniversary. I use coupons and shop for deals daily, or just go without, so I can save up a pile of cash for a good date.
Yes, there is a time and place for everything. You never have another chance to make a good first impression. Save the coupons for girls night out, or guys night out.
I would see it as a positive thing, my take being that a woman smart enough to use a coupon would not be extravagent with my money, should she get into a position to share it with me. Further, I agree with the comment that it would be a welcome 'ice-breaker' to be asked to lunch by someone who 'just happens to have a two-for-one coupon...'
It wouldn't bother me at all, but if it happens on one of the first three dates, my first impression is that my date might not like me enough to worry about what I'd think. If I liked him otherwise, and he called me up and asked me out again, I'd say sure, but I might be a little surprised that he asked me. After you've been dating awhile, using coupons is really no big deal.
I never understood people who judge how people pay for their things. As long as what the guy is doing is legal who cares if he pays for dinner with coupons, credit cards, cash, puts it on a tab or barters dinners for construction work. If you are getting a meal paid for then people shouldn't complain how it is paid. Shoot if a woman complained that I was using a coupon I would say to her how about we go dutch. And if she complained about that, then I would say damn b!tch you so cheap.
Kordell good points as long as the bartering process doesn't last to long. It's when they slip them a baggy, then it's time to say goodnight and call a cab being sure to pay for it yourself.
I've always enjoyed the company and discourse of the women that would be considered cheap dates significantly more because when money isn't on their mind I get to see their personality shine through.
If you do not use coupons and the 99 cent only store, you sir are an idiot.
I agree but not when it's a first date.
First date? Split the check, after she pays for her half of dinner.... I put in my Buy One, Get one coupon.
Yeah, and I bet she never goes out with you again - You must have a lots of first dates that are your last dates.
I like to look at it another way, I get a lot of free dinners.
Look at that..I was ahead of the times!! AGAIN!! (Next for all of you out there..Cheap sneakers(No ones impressed anymore), Used & dented car(You don't have to worry about parking next to others), No cable or satellite(Theres nothing worth watching that bad), Being debt free, Enjoying the parks & fishing! Okay..lets here your ideas!
LOL! Love it, RealityCheck! We're right there with ya (esp. w/ the pre-dinged car...takes all the anxiety out of driving in the city--no smart phones or cable/satellite either). We're debt-free, no car payments, and enough left over from living cheaply for one parent to stay home full-time with the babes. It's not a fancy life but everybody's got what they need. : ) When one of the kids wants something special, they start a savings jar for it and instead of getting gifts for birthday, etc., they get small amounts of money, also for doing certain tasks (car washing and raking). My son is so proud that he's the one kid in his class who paid for his iPod himself!
I'd say that anybody who rejects a person whom they would otherwise like just because he or she used a coupon does that person a favor. Heck, it might even be a good dating strategy to weed out the people who are not going to enjoy the same kind of lifestyle.
We are a one income family as well. Lived simply & I was there with our kids too. Now we have an 18 year old daughter who knows how to spend ...& more importantly, not spend. She refuses to pay more than $5 for an item of clothing. ;) That's my girl! Our son couldn't care less about material possessions either. We also have no cable/satellite, such useless shows on anymore.
Nothing, I mean nothing, this world has to offer is worth our peace as a family. We are a content & happy lot. Priceless!
I would respect the guy if he said beforehand Hey--I have a coupon to so-and-so--I would love to take you there, would you go? I would say Sure--and then I pay half of whatever the tab turns out to be. I always liked honesty and "no obligation" on my first date.
A coupon, free tickets to a show, bottled water. Where are all these coupons so I can start dating?
Exactly the only food coupons I see are for fast food joints. I can see it now. How would you like to have dinner with me I have a 2 for 1 coupon special at Micky D's " SLAP" so I can take that as a no.
A man that uses a discount coupon on a first date is a cheapskate! Discount coupons to me would be the same thing as bringing food stamps to a store on a first shopping adventure. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. I say this would be the last date for me –
I totally disagree and so does my 22 year old daughter! It's called REALISTIC in today's world. BTW - I'm female. Frankly to be offended is to be dumb.
A coupon is hardly the same as food stamps--good grief!
And you're not married, why??
Another article designed to normalize Class disparity between the 'haves' and 'have nots', while indoctrinating weak-minded American youth to keep spending no matter what.
We NEVER EVER go out without a coupon. Restaurant.com is a GREAT place to use, particularly if you get them on their $1 or $2 sales. I also get an Entertainment book and we regularly use them as well. You'd be totally stupid not to these days.
A lot of restaurants have their own websites these days, too, and they often have a coupon on it to encourage web traffic. We always check when we order take-out, too.
Thanks Lee makes perfect sence to me.
Lee, some of the Chinese restaurants we order from give a free entree or appetizer if you order over a certain amount. We do that and have an extra entree so that someone can take Chinese for their lunch the next day.
I certainly wouldn't eliminate an enjoyable companion from future dates, but a coupon on the first date lacks a certain savoir faire. The date can still be inexpensive- a picnic at the park, a bike ride, a music recital, but pulling out a coupon the first date looks like you matched the activity to the coupon availablity instead of what you think your date would enjoy. Plenty of tme for that on the third date or the 869th.
Gotta agree with you on that. Inexpensive dates that include a walk in the park, browsing a street fair, lunch at your favorite sandwich truck can be a lot more romantic and tell you a lot more about the person you're with than a sit down dinner you can't afford without a coupon.