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Move over cupid: 87% of Brits say ‘I do' to discount dating

26th April 2013 Print
Dating couple

It seems the on-going financial downturn has changed the very psychology behind the UK dating scene, according to TopCashback.co.uk, as nearly 9 in 10 Brits (87%) say they wouldn't ditch their date if they attempted to settle the bill by using downloaded money-off vouchers.
 
According to a study by the cashback site, a sizeable third (37%) of Brits have already ‘treated' potential partners using discounts and vouchers or been on a date with someone who has, and only 13% said they could not stomach romance with someone who paid for dinner on the cheap.
 
TopCashback's findings also look at the psyche of Britain's couples and at what stage in the relationship it is acceptable to use vouchers. Two fifths (39%) say discounts are completely acceptable on the first date, while others say it is not until you reach a second, third or fourth date - at 12%, 9% and 4% respectively. There also remain some traditional - or perhaps extremely cautious - romancers out there, with a third (35%) believing vouchers should be avoided until you're an official couple. Only 1% said they should never be used on a date.

At what stage in the dating cycle is it acceptable to use a discount code or voucher?

On a first date 39%

Not until the second date 12%

Not until the third date 9%

Not until the fourth date or more 4%

Not until you're officially ‘a couple' 35%

Never 1%

Dating behaviour also varies across the regions, with Brits in East Anglia (46%) and London (42%) practising discount dating the most. East Anglians (44%) and the Welsh (40%) are most likely to use vouchers on a first date, compared to only 9% in Northern Ireland; half (55%) of whom said the money-saving tactic should wait until you're a couple. The most easily offended at using discounts on dates are those in the West Midlands (19%) and Wales (19%), compared to just 8% in the South West and East Midlands.
 
Natasha-Rachel Smith, Consumer Affairs Expert at TopCashback, commented: "With recent news that 32% of households have reported a squeeze in their finances, it's clear that budgeting and money-saving continues to be high on our agenda. It's due to this that we're seeing a change in the perception around using discount vouchers, codes and cashback deals, which are increasing in popularity and forming part of consumers' everyday spending habits, to the point that using a voucher at a restaurant has become the norm - even a prerequisite - for many.

Natasha concludes: "With almost 90% of us happy to use vouchers on dates, why have only 37% of Brits ever done it? Taking advantage of discounts or vouchers makes good financial sense, and with so many amazing discount deals and cashback offers out there, there is absolutely no shame in ‘discount dating' in order to maximise the cash and ‘share the love'. It's all about getting more for your money; saving the pounds for that extra glass of wine or a taxi at the end of the night. I'd be disappointed if my date didn't do it!"

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Dating couple