Groupon - Biggest Disappointment Ever?

1. 69

   thisisoliposted 14 years ago

   I am a big fan of finding money off coupons for restaurants and bars, so when I saw the numerous city targetted adverts for Groupon I was, as expected, rather excited.
   
   So imagine my disappointment when I saw that they expected you to PAY for some rather meagre discounts. It is true that you still save a little money when you buy a groupon coupon, but lets face it, why not just search for the free coupons instead?!
   
   The site looks good, but I think I will stick to spending a little extra time searching, than spending $15 on a $20 money off voucher.

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   1. 90

      Patty Inglish, MSposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, it's no deal. unless you have consistent amounts of disposable income, can schedule to use the Groupon and not lose your money.

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      tobey100posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      and you're surprised!  Don't feel bad, my wife bit the same hook and gave it up rather quickly.

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   3. 49

      sliceyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I completely disagree - Groupon is awesome!
      
      The first comment that stated you pay $15 for a $20 discount is completely WRONG.
      
      All of the Groupons they offer are at least 40% savings, but usually 50%-70%.
      
      The food deals are great to use for 2 or more people, since they don't apply toward tax or tip, but who doesn't want to save $5-$30 on their meal?
      
      I've bought some groupons for $5-$10 that I use for work lunches, and I've purchased Groupons for many different cities, for gifts - I use them all the time. And you earn rewards every time you look at a Groupon deal or when you purchase one or refer a friend. So far, I've earned $40 in absolutely free Groupons just because I participate a lot.
      
      They've recently started offering Groupon Rewards that you can redeem at famous chef's restaurants - like several of the Top Chef and Top Chef Masters celebrity chefs. I mean, who ever heard of getting a 50% off coupon for a famous restaurant like that!

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   4. 60

      Karonherposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I have bought a few coupons from there.
      
      £10 for a restaurant who took £30 off the bill
      
      . £5 for a ticket for two on the Big Wheel - should have cost £15 for two and a wine voucher - again pay £10 and get £30 off the bill.
      
      Not sure what some people are expecting if they are not happy with this.
      
      If you get something for nothing - there is usually a reason why it cost nothing.

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2. 60

   PackSecureposted 14 years ago

   I was wondering about them, as one of my posts has their advertisements listed.  Thanks for the information.

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3. 59

   lender3212000posted 14 years ago

   Thanks for the tip! Sounds like one to avoid.

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4. 60

   Nicole Winterposted 14 years ago

   I still feel like it's a good deal if you really need something, (manicure, pedicure, sushi,) and it happens to be offered that day.  Has anyone used it and had a bad experience with it?
   
   --- NAW

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5. 56

   wrenfrost56posted 14 years ago

   What a rip off, I'll def give that a miss!

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6. 60

   momcar12posted 14 years ago

   Signed up for emails, but have never used any. Read the fine print, sometimes offers are for places with multiple locations ~ it may exclude the location you want/need.

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7. 59

   jobisterposted 13 years ago

   Well groupon has special deals with local restaurants and other vendors. With discounts for us consumers. I have used them multiple times and I am very satisfied with the service. It is very easy to use and if the Deal is not on then the people purchasing the groupon do not get charged. I wrote a post about it, check it out and tell me your thoughts.

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8. 86

   DowntroddenInDCposted 13 years ago

   We've used similar sites were we bought $50 gift certificates for $20 at an indian restaurant we went to a lot in Northern VA. It worked out nicely, we made a night of it and always went with another couple. So we eat a ton and meet all the requirements to use the coupon, etc. It can be planned and useful, you just have to check the minimum requirements and the expiration dates, etc.
   
   
   Best of luck!

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      oparuposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I also enjoy using Groupons, Living Social, and Buy with me deals. They are really good if you go to those places regularly anyway. With Groupon, if you don't use it before the expiration date, you can still spend whatever you paid for it at that business. So, if you bought a $20 coupon (e.g. for $40 worth of stuff at business x), you can at least get $20 of stuff at that business after it expires. Just read the details of the deal before buying.

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      1. 60

         P.M. penposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Gotta say I really like Groupon. Today I purchased a $25 gift certificate to the Nutty Guys for $10. Nutty Guys is an online retailer of nuts, dried fruits, and candies. The value is really incredible. Nuts are expensive. Where else can you get $25 worth of nuts for $10?

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         1. 63

            Kidgasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Go to the religious forums and you can get all the nuts you want for FREE!

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            1. 60

               Pro Design Sourceposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               LOL! So true, and if you don't like that kind of nut - try the Political forums, some say they're crunchier.

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               wbfreeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               I think there's plenty here too.

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9. 52

   xenozposted 13 years ago

   I found group buying site based on the social coupon
   concept that stands apart from Groupon, Living Social,
   FourSquare, or other deal-a-day sites. It's called
   FlutterBuck http://www.flutterbucksignup.com and you
   actually get paid to refer other to group buys.
   It's a revolutionary concept really, and rewards
   those for referring and sharing group buys
   locally.

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10. 52

    xenozposted 13 years ago

    No, no, it's actually http://www.flutterbuckssignup.com
    I found it on Yelp in Los Angeles.
    http://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid … KpSMUVcxDA

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11. 60

    Teegan E. Rossposted 13 years ago

    Groupon's fantastic.  Pay $10 for $20 worth of burgers, $30 for a $75 massage, etc.  What's not to love?

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12. 60

    JMFConsultingposted 13 years ago

    Groupon is really not that bad - last week I paid $5 bucks a pop for 6 Fandango movie tickets.  Better than the usual $12 a ticket and even beats the $6 Tuesday deal lots of cinemas offer.  There were no restrictions as to when the tickets could be used either.  Its definitely worth a 2nd look.

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    1. 60

       Chris Simirigliaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I agree.  I use Goupon to eat at restaurants that my husband and I would like to try.  We usually spend $25 on a $50 Groupon.  Anytime I can save 25 bucks on a good meal in the city... I'm happy!
       
       The trick is to NOT over-buy just because the deal looks good.  If you buy a bunch and forget to use them in the allotted time, you will be disappointed. Make sure you use the Groupons that you buy and you'll be quite happy.

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13. 59

    xxfourthelementposted 13 years ago

    From what I've heard, Groupon is NOT a good thing for local businesses - in fact, instead of making money by offering sales, the businesses often lose money because not only are they offering a discount, they have to PAY to be put on Groupon.
    
    I'd say skip Groupon and just hunt for some good deals.

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       robschwenckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Sounds like that's the local business' problem. If they make a bad biz decision, why hold Groupon accountable?

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14. 69

    Beth100posted 13 years ago

    I've used Groupon several times, and just purchased ski tickets to the local hill.  Regular price for lift and rentals = $80.  I just paid $39 for full day lift plus demo skis (top of the line and new) for any day, including peak times.  Not bad, plus purchased a second for a gift. 
    
    The difference between Groupon and regular coupons is this:  you pay upfront for te discount to secure it.   A coupon is printed and can only be validated upon purchase.  If you forget to use the coupon, no loss to you.  If you don't use a Groupon by the expiration date, that's your loss. 
    
    As for the establishment losing money....perhaps, but the exposure they receive via marketing and receiving new customers outweighs the loss.  All marketing media will cost some money.  How well it is marketed and managed are the keys.  Flyers, radio announcements, ads on the internet or in papers also cost initial dollars, but are made up by reaching a larger audience.  Groupon caters to those who are wanting to go and try which is a guarantee to the establishment that they will be receiving new clients.
    
    Haven't had a problem with Groupon (and the expiration dates are well into the future).

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15. 78

    LillyGrillzitposted 13 years ago

    I love HubPages, because the way HP sets up feeds, I stumble on topics all the time, or titles, that intrigue me. This has been one of those things I always wondered about, did a little inconclusive research as a non-participant.
    
    It is true that we don't get something for nothing. All the way up the chain, it would be nice if suppliers gave out discounts or there was a payroll coupon, or tax rebate, or licensing, or discounts on lawyers, accountants, permitting, etc.
    
    It costs a lot of money to run a business. It is very costly to eat out. When people are being frugal, they are eating at home or .99 deals, and not eating well. This is a well informed forum feed, and I thank everyone for your input.
    
    Groupon and them just got a new cutomer.
    

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16. 59

    sam70posted 13 years ago

    I have yet to purchase a groupon coupon, but they do seem to offer some great deals.

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17. 54

    omechaposted 13 years ago

    Besides groupon, there are actually numerously such type of site. you can find all of them in the Social Deal Map website. I feel this is another bubble. When you actually need these service, it is a good bargains to you, though I am wondering how those merchants can survive with only getting 25% of the original bill ( remember you give 50% discount out and groupon took another half).

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18. 61

    txgalposted 13 years ago

    Every now and then I see a deal that is worth purchasing. However, it seems when those great deals come up I don't have the money to purchase it.

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19. 61

    TLMinutposted 13 years ago

    Just a couple of days ago my friend told me she uses them. Apparently it's only in certain cities or is still spreading. She said they were available in SLC for a while and had just now come to her city. She LOVES it!
    It wouldn't be worth it for me because I don't spend enough money in the first place. But my friend is another satisfied customer, just wanted to mention that for people who are trying to decide.

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20. 76

    Eaglekiwiposted 13 years ago

    Yes ,now they are a pain in the preverbial inbox.

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    1. 61

       TLMinutposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Uh-oh, you mean constant emails until you can't stand it? But you don't want to cancel because they're good deals? Maybe it's not so bad to be poor.

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       1. 76

          Eaglekiwiposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          No,I mean Ive unsubsrcibed but of course its not effective immediately (funny that) so up they pop.
          
          Actually was my fault ,since I dont come from a country consumed by coupons ( really thought that only happened in the 60's) but is fun checking out sites all the same.

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21. 58

    bearnecessityposted 13 years ago

    I have heard of groupon but did not like the idea of paying per coupon. I use thatfreething.com. I pay a monthly fee and access all the free coupons I want. I have got a lot of stuff so far like a free queso at a mexican restaurant, $5 off a chilis meal, $10 off a meal at Gratzianos, I just got a free kit kat about ten minutes ago.

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22. 66

    theherbivorehippiposted 13 years ago

    I love Groupon!  I use them and so do a lot of my friends.  Never heard anyone complain about them.

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23. 69

    thisisoliposted 13 years ago

    I have to admit I have come around to Groupon a little bit in the last few months, I am still not sold on how much benefit I am getting from them as an advertiser though. (Since thanks to Google's 'targeted' advertising the Groupon ads are more likely to be displayed to people who already visit Groupoin.com - just like I constantly see SEOmoz ads when I surf the net.

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