N.L. businesses tap into backlash with 'bad-budget bargains'

The latest provincial budget is sure to hit hard, and if your pocketbook is feeling lighter already, a couple of Newfoundland and Labrador companies say they can help.

Businesses across the province have started advertising their "bad-budget bargains," hoping to help your bottom line and capitalize on the widespread discontent with this year's provincial budget.

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From restaurants in St. John's to car salesmen in Gander, the anti-budget sales are starting to become a new trend.

"[We're] taking a hot topic that everyone's angry about and making a little bit of it a joke out of it," said David Primmer, the owner and operator of The Fifth Ticket.

The St. John's restaurant posted a tongue-in-cheek Facebook video on Thursday, criticizing the impending tax hikes and flagging their new, lower-cost menu.

He says he's already seen a huge response.

Big reaction

The video has gotten thousands of views online already but more importantly, it's bringing customers into Primmer's restaurant.

The Fifth Ticket'sdaily reservations have doubled since the video was posted.

"People are curious, right?" Primmer said. "They want to see what the new menu is all about."

Budget backlash has been just as profitable in Gander, where McCormacks Service Centre has been advertising its own budget sales.

John Tucker, the shop's new sales manager, says he's sold five cars last week through his humorous Facebook posts.

On the lighter side

McCormacks was offering deals onFacebook alllast week, as part of its "In Spite of Dwight" sale.

"Dwight's Deals" and "Bennett's Bargains" have floodedits page.

We just thought we'd turn a negative into a positive.- John Tucker

"There's so much negativity," says Tucker. "You talk to someone in the Tim Hortons lineup and they're talking about how bad the budget is."

With all types of taxes and fees going up, the businesses are providing some comic relief at the very least.

• HST, gasoline and income taxes all jump in N.L. budget

"We just thought we'd turn a negative into a positive and just put a bit of a funny spin on things," says Tucker.

Both the auto shop andrestaurant are relatively new to their markets, and they say their budget-bustingspecials have been a great way to grab attention.

And on top of their least-cost options, The Fifth Ticket promises they won't put a levy on taste.