I have been researching/posting deals for awhile now and it seems that exclusive Facebook offers are on the rise. In fact, according to my rough calculations, nearly 40% of all the deals I come across are found on a Facebook page. And what’s more, they tend to be really good deals.
The growing trend in the retail industry is to have consumers “Like” a company Facebook page. There are a few reasons for this but the most glaringly obvious is advertising. Yes, these ingenious companies have found a way to reach the consumer one-on-one, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. But first they have to get you on board.
This is where all the really great deals come in. It seems companies will do anything for you to “Like” them. They offer high value coupons, exclusive deals, VIP sales, shopping parties, contests and more. And really…who isn’t going to click the “Like” button to get a free product? But, it doesn’t seem to stop there. In order to get many of these great deals you must “Share” your new relationship with select Facebook friends. Of course, many of us want to let others know of a great deal (and we want the deal ourselves), so we “Share” with the five people who mean the most to us and well, there you have it. The company has won and then won again. They have made the consumer happy by providing them with a great deal and they have capitalized on their opportunity for free advertising. And when it comes right down to it, free advertising is everything. It is much cheaper to offer a few coupons or a trip than spend millions on television, newspaper or billboard advertisements.
But will all these great deals last forever? Likely, no. Many companies are just starting out on Facebook. Their pages are only months old and they need a few people to “Like” them. Once they have a certain number of “Likes” the frequency and quality of the exclusive offers will diminish. Over time the deals will become similar to those found in the company newsletters…sporadic and mediocre.
However, in the meantime, it seems Facebook deals are everywhere. They are so good, some of the most anti-Facebook consumers out there are signing up to score a coupon or freebie. It almost seems that joining Facebook is no longer an option. Sort of like owning a computer. Remember when that was an option?
So, what do you think? Do you feel all the really great deals are on Facebook? Do you think these fantastic offers will last forever? Have you joined Facebook just to order high value coupons or enter contests? Please comment below!
I am hardly ever on Facebook and the deals I’ve seen haven’t been that good such as a free sample. I think the best deals out there are on the deal-of-the-day sites like Groupon. I’ve scored some really crazy deals, especially on stuff I was going to buy anyway. I check dealticker daily — they list all the deal-of-the-day deals on their website. It’s like one-stop shop for these sites.
I am a quite disappointed with the companies that “canvass” facebook participants to vote ” like ” to get their exclusive offers.
I have chosen not to join facebook for a variety of reasons and will avoid the companies products and special offers that will only had via facebook.
how about posting these great deals !!!
i have been very anti-facebook.…until i realized all of the deals i was missing out on. i signed up a month ago under my dog’s name, dont have any “friends” and use if for coupons only!
I HATE that all the deals are on facebook. I couldn’t take part in the recent Clairol giveaway because I couldn’t see the link that everyone else had no problems seeing (I used 3 different browsers on my computer, & I even tried my fiance’s computer, & I couldn’t see a thing)
@terrarankin that’s a really good idea! I’m not a fan of anyone seeing my “Likes”. I’m a closet-couponer.
But the FB deals are a pretty good idea.
Like terrarankin, I just set up an account with a fake name, and use it exclusively for this type of thing.
I love facebook! and yes it is true all of the really awesome freebies/ contests/ deals and other promotions are usually thru facebook. most of the contests ive won have been thru facbook.
Yep same here. Never had facebook, but found too many deals, coupons and contests were there. So like others, I made a fake account to get the deals. Sooner than later, facebook will phase out..(mind you the fad has gone on for years)…
Companies should offer both ways to enter, but as someone stated, you have to “LIKE” them (hence have a facebook account)
It’s almost as if Sally Field were there…
I have used a fake name on facebook. I joined only to get the deals. I do not connect with friends or want any other part of it.
I think if more people do what I do (like get coupon unlike) it will probably twindle quickly I just get sick of all the updates on my page makes it hard to find what my friends have. I know people who have had both accounts disabled as facebook has figured out they have more than one so Im not willing to lose all my pics,friends etc by having a separate coupon only facebook account
I DON’T like the Facebook deals! I find that a lot of them don’t work. You “like” the page and cant find the deal. I don’t think I have received anything as of yet form Facebook. I also have found so far that if a company offers something the next something they offer is a new “like” why cant it all be threw the same page. My other issue is that most of the deals have a number limit that they are offering and by the time I see the link they are all given away.
I do not want to be on facebook nor will I join just to get a ‘good‘deal. I personally try to avoid companies that use this tactic. Facebook is not for me now or in the future.
Not a Facebook fan either. Without getting into details about how lame/deperate I think the whole Facebook things is, I don’t find the deals that great that I want to be tied to “liking” a particular company. I tried it once with a certain Pizza offer and it wouldn’t work after “liking” it, but I still couldn’t get rid of all these stupid posts from them through Facebook. Would like to “unlike” them but don’t know how as there seems to be no link/reference on my page to do that — although they seem to be able to insert themselves on me at will. (any suggestions/advice?)
Users above have the best advice: Use a fake name.
Same as terrarankin.….was anti-Facebook but realized how many freebies I was missing out on. Also, I dislike the companies that offer you something if a certain number of people “like” them.….ie: recently Skinny Cow looking for 110,000 likes.….
I agree with Sherri as to the numbered amount of deals. I “like” a company and then when the deal is done, I block them. If I see another coupon or contest come up on Canadian Freebies, or elsewhere, I unblock them in order to take part, then block them again. Otherwise, one is bombarded with posts. I tried “hiding” them but they only showed up again and again. I have recived some good coupons but also have missed out on lots. I also have my settings set up so that only I can see the companies.
I’ve received tons of Facebook freebies. I hate when people complain about it not being fair…it’s your choice whether you want a free account or not, and can manage your privacy settings to suit your preferences. You get free products, the companies get free advertising. Seems pretty fair to me. Not interested, that’s fine! Just please don’t whine about missing out!
i do use facebook..and did get some really good deals..! love it ! and of course freebies too !!! i’ve got hand cream..free t-dscs..skincare samples.. chips…etc.. too many to list !
I love facebook and I’ve gotten many goodies from it. What I am surprised is how many companies are still giving out samples/coupons when so many people are down right rude if they missed out on it. They whine and complain because they can’t get onto their site or the coupon was gone by the time they got on. What do you expect will happen when hundreds of thousands (if not millions) log on to the same site at the same time? Same thing happens on Christmas when too many people try to call.. you can’t connect.
Companies should not be expected to give anything away… because they don’t have to! It’s a nice thing for them to do.
b4ucuhear, on the lower left is the ‘unlike’ button.
Someplaces of employment ban facebook at work so its impossible to grab these deals. I have emailed alot of the companies to offer an alternative or shared campaign so I do not have to use facebook.
I agree with B. How about posting some instead of gushing?
The way I see it: It’s better than MySpace. Can you imagine companies using MySpace to give away stuff? Ye gads…
I think I’d like to see a company use 4Chan to give stuff away… especially /b/…
Yes , like lots of others .I am anti facebook ‚but have a fake account just for the deals.
Like most people I set up a different account just for freebies on Facebook, used a different name and have no friends on it. I have received a lot of free items.
I’m not a huge facebook fan–I don’t need to know what everyone does every minute of the day–but it is good for keeping in touch with family & friends. When it comes to the good coupons & contests, I just Like, get the deal, then Unlike. Simple.
My friend just scored a sweet deal on FB with Casino Lac Leamy in Gatineau Quebec. They were offering 100 rooms for $29.00 on February 29. She won one for the 100 rooms. Yes its a Wednesday and not a weekend. But still a great deal IMHO. Those rooms are worth $150.00 and more. Sweet deal.
I have an account with Facebook for a long time now and hate to use it. I get frustrated when I want to participate in a contest or get coupons and have to click ‘like’ and forced to login. Many times it will take me to my account but impossible to find the contest or product. A waste of time.
I’m afraid it isn’t as simple as “like” then “unlike”. My impression is that ocmpanies prefer Facebook as a method of distribution because they can collect personal data of their potential consumer base. Even if you “unlike” them, they’ve already collected your information.
It seems most people here have created a fake FB account in order to acquire coupons/deals, which is good, I think; I have a real account and am loathe to provide companies with any more information than they need.
Has anyone read this? It’s highly disturbing: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/magazine/shopping-habits.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=target&st=cse
It sucks that all the good deals are on facebook. I used to have an account to keep in touch with people, Facebook would reset my privacy levels on weekly basis. I tried creating a fake account just to get the deals, the email address I provided(that I created only for Facebook) was bombared with spam. I’d rather lose out on a great deal than be a part of Facebook.
I have probs with facebook also. When I go to their webpage I can never find the link to the free offers. I have to go back to the SmartCanucks page where someone posted it and go to their website through that link. Can anyone explain what I’m doing wrong?
Unless car companies decide to give away free cars to those who like them, I will not be joining facebook. Never been interested in facebook, free items or not.
I’m not on Facebook so I’m always a little disappointed when I hear about a good Facebook deal.
I personally think that the Facebook freebies do more to damage a company’s image than presenting a positive image. All the hype, asking for too much personal info … Wish more companies would just offer the coupons on their website.
This morning’s Quaker giveaway is just one more gigantic SNAFU
I’m also anti-Facebook. I also unlike a company after I get a coupon, but now I think I’ll take on the idea to set up a fake account just for coupons and sort.
However, up until now, I haven’t really gotten any great deals from Facebook.
I utterly hate Liking companies on Facebook. They should blooming well offer coupons on their Web sites as well. I am not here to give them marketing information about myself, become part of a mailing list, etc.
You must behave like a monkey and select the like. If you don’t there is no prize. Facebook has lost it’s value.
No, once you click “Like” on Facebook, the company can access all of your personal information (Through statistics) to target how they should better advertise to you. When you “Like” something on Facebook, you are essentially a guinea pig for the company.
I am on Facebook, but I do not partake in business offers with companies anymore.
SC should have an RSS feed with updates as to what and when these promos happen…
If they already do, LET ME KNOW WHERE TO SUBSCRIBE, PLEASE!!!:)
Thank you!:)
another fake fb account here
I think you are dreaming in technicolour when you think that facebook is the bountiful land of great freebies and deals.
When I review my freebies folder, the vast majority of freebies have been made available through places like brand sampler, living well and good ol’ company websites.
I agree with an earlier poster that some of the best deals are to be found by checking daily deals. My personal fav way of saving money consistently is by checking all of the flyers for the best prices on items I need. Checking flyers and comparing prices are at the core of saving big money year after year, and is incredibly easy to do.
The facebook stuff has been fun fluff and fun for the most part but so far hasn’t proven to provide great deals or freebies in any reliable way.
I hate facebook it is hard to get the freebies. I hate the deadlines and the delays in getting on,.
Ok…I have several coupon ladies on fb who constantly fill their pages with deals. Yesterday I scored a gallon of milk (US coupon as I live close to the border), the free Quaker Oatmeal coupon and today the vaseline. Seriously it seems they always have issues with the presentation of the coupons but in the past I have gotten free bacon, free products from Alberto, the Netipot and so on…I work from home and just leave my fb on, refreshing my page occasionally. Oh and I cannot forget the Clearylcontacts fb page where we got glasses and/or coupon codes or reminders of good deals.
I hate Facebook because I signed up when you needed a university email account so I THOUGHT only my classmates could access it. Later they changed the rules and didn’t allow me to erase stuff. They still have my residence room number on there for god’s sake and that was 5 years ago! I’ve long graduated, worked at several jobs, and changed cities. Facebook doesn’t know any of that because I don’t tell it. No pictures anymore either.
I only use it for the freebies now and I don’t care if they want my information for marketing, because I haven’t given them anything anyway.
When one of your “friends” likes a company, the company often gets all their friend information anyway…so if they’ve got my minimal information through one of these people anyway, at least I can get a freebie or two out of it.
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