Toronto Deals Online: Subscriber

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ONE OF TODAY'S DEALS

- $99 for an All-Day, Instructional Rock-Climbing Experience for One from H2O Rappelling ($225 Value)

Although rock climbing was an important component of Victorian mountaineering in the Alps, it is generally thought that the sport of rock climbing began in the last quarter of the nineteenth century in various parts of Europe. Rock climbing evolved gradually from an alpine necessity to a distinct athletic activity.

Aid climbing, climbing using equipment that acts as artificial handhold or footholds, became popular during the period 1920-1960, leading to ascents in the Alps and in Yosemite Valley that were considered impossible without such means. However, climbing techniques, equipment and ethical considerations have evolved steadily. Today, free climbing, climbing on holds made entirely of natural rock, using gear solely for protection and not for upward movement, is the most popular form of the sport. Free climbing has since been divided into several sub-styles of climbing dependent on belay configuration.

Over time, grading systems have also been created in order to more accurately compare the relative difficulties of climbs.

An Open Letter from the founder of Toronto Deals Online

This morning I received an email from someone who expressed their deep dissatisfaction with the downhill slope my site has taken. While I totally encourage constructive criticism and love when people send me emails with feedback both good and bad, the person's suggestion of how I should advertise the way Groupon does unfortunately isn't really a feasible option for me. In the spirit of openness... I decided to openly explain what Toronto Deals Online is, and I've decided to let you all in on how this works. I also will explain more about how I make money from this site, and the costs involved in case you were ever interested to know, as well as why I run this site.

I am one person with a blog. I am not a multi-billion dollar company like groupon is. I've been doing this for almost 3 years, pretty much right when the industry in Toronto began when there were only a few sites around. When I'm updating my blog with categories and regions, I spend 2.5-3 hours every morning before going to work updating my blog and sending out my newsletter. Currently I'm posting all new deals on my Facebook page because that takes 1.5 hours - half the time as posting everything on my site. Then I post what I think are the best deals on my blog page and send them out in my newsletter as well because I know people prefer to get something by email as supposed to going and checking the website. My current goal in posting on Facebook is to try and spend that time I save finding a way to automate my site using my very basic programming knowledge so that I'm not spending so much time updating it every day. The cost of hiring a company to automate this website to be how I would like is $15,000.

There are currently costs involved like domain names, but all are very minimal. The real cost is my time. So, how do I make money from this site? When you click on a link and purchase a deal, the daily deal company puts a credit on my account for a small percentage of the price of the item that you bought. Usually it's 2-10%. So if you bought a massage for $29 I might make between $0.58 and $2.90. Some of the companies will then take that credit once it's accumulated to a certain amount ($50 or $100) and then send me a cheque. However, some of the companies won't do that and will leave it as credit for me to use on the site to purchase deals with. Some of the companies will only pay you the first time someone purchases a deal from that site. So even if that same person clicks on a link every day from my site and buys a deal I will still only get credited once. So, how much do I make, well two years ago I was probably making an average of $40 a day which is "okay" for the then 3.5 hours I was spending updating and promoting my site. Now, I make about $10-$20 a month.

So why do I keep on doing this? Because I love it. Because I love being the first person up in the morning to see the brand new deals of the day. Because I love trying new restaurants I've never been to like Loire which I tried a few weeks ago and was amazing, and I love experiencing new activities that I've never tried before like trampolining which I continued for months after I bought a skyriders voucher. I do it because I love learning about new methods of wellness that I don't know about like today's cryotherapy sauna sessions. Several years ago I went to a business coach who asked me what my purpose was as an entrepreneur and in life. After much thought I concluded; my purpose is to help people enjoy their lives through adventurous and creative methods. To me, if I can impart the fun, excitement, and knowledge that these deals have brought and continue to bring me to a few others out there that this is all worth it!

To conclude, if you ever have any questions, concerns, comments I want to hear them. If you have a problem with any of the deal sites please let me know, some of the companies I have relationships with and might know some information that may help you. If you purchased a deal and had a horrible experience send me a review, and maybe I'll post it on my review site. http://torontodealreview.blogspot.ca/. I truly love hearing from you guys on both good and bad. I can't always guarantee I'll get back to you right away, but I'll do what I can.

Thanks to all of you for all your support,
Jodi

RECENT RESTAURANT REVIEWS

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WARNINGS

At TDO, we find it important to let our users know not only about the great and wonderful in our restaurant review section, but also about the not so good. If you had a terrible expereince with a company that you purchased a voucher for through Toronto Deals Online, we would like to hear your story. Please send us details through the contact page.

Below you will find a list of businesses we have received complaints about.

Fit Factory Fitness (prev. Fit Body Bootcamp),
The instructor of this facility (Tony A) is lackadaisical when giving people with injuries alternative exercises. Tony is a bully who gets off on pushing people around. Also the company doesn't handle complaints professionally.