Gainesville residents struggling with the economic recession or a small student budget can use a new coupon service to receive 50 percent to 90 percent savings at local businesses.
FlyCoupon, which users can access at flycoupon.com, is a coupon service that features a new local business discount every week. Steven Shlagman, a UF graduate and resident of both Chicago and Gainesville, started the service in Gainesville three weeks ago.
Shlagman said FlyCoupon began as a concept to help small businesses that struggle with advertising costs, as well as consumers who struggle with a tight budget.
After a year of success in Chicago, Shlagman brought FlyCoupon to Gainesville.
FlyCoupon works with Gainesville businesses to create discounts that fit the needs of consumers. Every coupon offers at least 50 percent savings and lasts at least three months.
“We feature a little of everything, even things that college students can afford,” Shlagman said. “We had no problem finding businesses that were willing to give out $2.50 coupons for $5 worth of food.”
Shlagman says that FlyCoupon is committed to featuring independent businesses in the Gainesville area. A new discount is featured every week, free of charge, and FlyCoupon splits coupon earnings with the businesses.
“With FlyCoupon, local businesses are able to get advertising out there that they don’t have to pay for,” said Shlagman. “If no coupons sell, then that business got free advertising for a week.”
Customers can sign up to receive daily e-mails from FlyCoupon that display which businesses are offering discounts on the site.
FlyCoupon.com has more than 1,100 subscribers and features more than 62 Gainesville businesses.
