Old-fashioned coupons get new life via cell phone service

BANGOR – Bargain-savvy shoppers now have another way to save – on their cell phones. A national company that transmits digital coupons to cell phones has partnered with four Bangor merchants to bring its service to Maine.

Cellfire, a San Jose, Calif.-based firm that calls itself “the first nationwide mobile couponing service for cell phone users,” has announced that Mainers can now download a Cellfire application to their mobile phones and receive digital coupons for meals, entertainment, retail purchases and other promotional items from participating Bangor merchants. The deals are redeemed at the point of sale, where the coupon is read from the phone and applied to the purchase.

Cellfire has partnerships with national businesses such as Domino’s Pizza, T.G.I. Friday’s and 1-800-flowers, but Cellfire CEO Brent Dusing said based on positive response from Bangor-area businesses, this is Cellfire’s first collaboration with local companies. The Bangor merchants include The Sports Arena, Quality Jewelers, Arby’s and Pete & Larry’s Lounge.

Cellfire does not charge its customers for its service, although some cell phone carriers may impose downloading fees depending on the customer’s plan. Cellfire’s business model is designed so that retail partners pay to advertise their coupons.

The first time a customer downloads the product, Cellfire sends an initial set of coupons. From there, users update or “sync” their phones to receive up-to-date deals. Coupons stored in the phone are automatically refreshed.

To download Cellfire’s application, text 22888 or visit www.cellfire.com/state/me on a computer or wap.cellfire.com on a mobile phone.