TWO bargain-hunting Wodonga mums have launched a coupon website to bring customers competitive deals on the Border.
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Kath Hopkins and Cath McGrath founded Regional Deals, the Border’s first online deals company, which delivers food and drink, hair and beauty, accommodation, healthcare, trades and services and entertainment discounts to customers via email each week.
Regional Deals is in the same vein as city-based deal websites such as Groupon and Scoopon.
Mrs Hopkins said they were inspired by the metropolitan websites.
“We both love the big deal websites available in the capital cities and we didn’t want Albury-Wodonga to miss out,” she said.
“So we decided to start one ourselves.”
Ms McGrath said the pair started Regional Deals to encourage people to try new things, places, products and experiences.
“We want everyone to see what this awesome part of the world has to offer,” she said.
“Oh, and we want you to save some money while you do it.”
Examples of the deals include coffee and cake at Wodonga’s Zilch Food Store for $6, save 38 per cent; a three-hour night photography workshop with Speak Photography for $89, save 25 per cent; and a bed and buffet breakfast stay at Atura on Dean Street, Albury, for $99, save 58 per cent.
People can subscribe to the deals with their first name and email address at www.regionaldeals.com.au.
Weekly deals can then be bought either via the email “buy” link or from the website, with payment methods including PayPal and a secure credit card facility. Once payment is made a deal voucher is emailed to the buyer’s inbox or they can access it through their account on the site. They then follow the instructions on the voucher and present it at their chosen business to claim the deal.
Mrs Hopkins said customers weren’t the only winners from the deals with businesses set to achieve more exposure and clients.
“For businesses it means they’re assured of customers walking through their door and assured of cash in their pockets; we’re proud that we’re locals and we’re keeping local money in the region,” she said.
Before children, Mrs Hopkins was a classical cellist playing with orchestras in London and Australia while Ms McGrath was a naturopath and a HR professional.
“We’re both passionate advocates of the wonderful lifestyle available in Albury-Wodonga and we were looking for something that we could do that would fit around caring for our children,” Ms McGrath said.
“Regional Deals ticks both boxes.”
