Mobile Coupons
I just found out about a really nice mobile coupon app. It’s called MobiQpons and the company is right here. I downloaded the free app from the app store (itunes) and started using it instantly. It used my current location (which is always Mountain View) and displayed a plethora of local coupons. All I have to do is show the phone to the cashier at any number of local businesses and I get a discount. The first one that I noticed and can’t wait to use is for a free glass of champagne from Don Giovanni on Castro. Plumeria also has coupons, as well as Payless Shoes, Walmart, Target, GNC, Jamba Juice, Rite Aid and Office Depot.
The founder, Navneet Aron, told me that 70% of his customers have iPhones, but that MobiQpons Blackberry and Android apps are also available through their respective app stores. A mobile web app is also available on any mobile phone with internet access at MobiQpons.com. He also told me that he’s working on partnerships with lots of local restaurants and that they will be offering more restaurant discounts in the near future.
I asked him where most of his users live and he said that MobiQpons is most popular on the west and east coasts, but that it is quickly gaining popularity in the middle of the country. It’s only been out for 1 year and is already the second on the list if you do a Google search for “mobile coupons.” Since the coupons are available worldwide and I have a friend going to Miami in a few days, I also looked up coupons for Miami. I found a few that she might be using, one for a car rental and another one for a restaurant close to her hotel.
Once you give your location to MobiQpons, it searches a 10 mile radius for coupons that are relevant. You can set “favorites” and it will send you notices whenever a store that you classified as a favorite has posted a new coupon. You can ask it to send you reminders of coupons. If you want to have your car washed once a week and want to be notified of any car wash coupons, but only want them to arrive on the day you normally wash your car, it’s easy. Every Thursday you can get car wash coupons. MobiQpons can’t do anything about the fact that it might rain on the day you wash your car. Sorry about that.
I really like the idea that this application is from someone local and that it can be personalized according to my likes and dislikes. I already set my favorites and I’ll be receiving text reminders whenever my favorite stores post new coupons. Yet another reason to love Mountain View-discounts just by showing businesses my iPhone!
Cool mobile app. Saves you money.
If I had a nickel for each time I came to ilovemv.org.. Great article!