Groupon....Great deals or scam?

SadBunny

I checked http://www.trustpilot.co.uk/review/groupon.co.uk before I bought my first Groupon deal.
Their first negative review appeared there on 05 September 2011.
Perhaps it is time to redress the balance.

Still waiting for my refund - and a bit concerned about the vouchers I hope to use in November and February.

Alisha2008

I use KGB Deals often (for hair and beauty treatments) and I'm really happy with them, great service. I did register with Groupon but I think I'm gonna stop it, reading this thread makes me scared of buying any deal with them!

amyb_2

Alisha2008 wrote: »

I use KGB Deals often (for hair and beauty treatments) and I'm really happy with them, great service. I did register with Groupon but I think I'm gonna stop it, reading this thread makes me scared of buying any deal with them!

I must have used 20 Groupons - and most and beauty deals and everyone has been fab.

All i suggest is check the salon / provider put first. All mine have been high street salons so i known they won't vanish into the ether!

Saying that; a collegue booked a nail treatment in advance but the salon closed down before she went - she phoned Groupon and the money was refunded and back in her account withnin 24hrs!

hansi

I'm new to Groupon and ued it for the first time yesterday for a good deal on a DVD player which has now sold out. I've had the purchase confirmed, and have been told I will get an email with instruction when the deal ends. I couldn't see anywhere details of how I get the item. Do I have to pick it up, wil it be deliverd, if so, why don't they mention any delivery charges etc?

bilpit

Alisha2008 wrote: »

I did register with Groupon but I think I'm gonna stop it, reading this thread makes me scared of buying any deal with them!

I think you're right to be scared of buying from Groupon. Their customer service is patchy at best, and in my experience, completely appalling !! I bought a voucher for an item which I subsequently decided I didn't want... I am entitled to a simple refund, but three weeks later I still haven't had a (non-automated) reply. Their phone lines are turned off every time I try to ring. To me they show utter contempt for their customers !! I appreciate if you buy a voucher and use it with a company that isn't over-subscribed you may get a bargain / good experience, but if things go wrong you will be on your own !!
I would highly recommend everyone to stop spending with them, and if you are owed money just keep pushing them for a refund...
They will go under unless they clean their act up, and a lot of people will lose a lot of money.....

hansi

hansi wrote: »

I'm new to Groupon and ued it for the first time yesterday for a good deal on a DVD player which has now sold out. I've had the purchase confirmed, and have been told I will get an email with instruction when the deal ends. I couldn't see anywhere details of how I get the item. Do I have to pick it up, wil it be deliverd, if so, why don't they mention any delivery charges etc?

Think I've worked it out now. Got my voucher code, so hopefully, I can redeem it on Monday.

pawsies

classixuk wrote: »

I can echo the above, as a business owner myself, the only winner on a Groupon Deal is Groupon themselves.

But I think I've thought of a fabulous way you MSE'rs can save even more money than Groupon offers, and also help the business who is offering the Groupon too!

This should work with other 'group deal websites' too.

As pointed out in the above post, when Groupon signs up a business, they encourage the business to do a massive discount (50-90%) off their normal price. When the deal is advertised, Groupon also take half of whatever is sold leaving the business owner with next to nothing.

So, for example, you see a Groupon deal like this:

Debbies Salon

• Fish Pedicure
• Eyelash Tint
• Leg Wax
• Brow Wax
• Curly Blow
• Highlights

£29 instead of £99!

You think that's a great deal, right?

But Debbie is being charged 50% + VAT by Groupon for advertising the deal. Of that £29, she only ever gets given £12.08. Groupon gets the rest. Think how poor Debbie feels doing all that work (and buying stock to do it) for £12!

So here's what you should try...

When you see the Groupon deal offered with a small business (one where you know the owner or manager is probably available), try giving them a call and asking if you can come in for the service and pay them in cash instead?

Like this:

"Hi Debbie. I see you're advertising on Groupon today for tons of stuff for £29. I'd like to come in next week and have it done, but I'm aware that Groupon take 50% plus the VAT out your cash. I worked it out and you'll only get £12. Would you rather I made the appointment outside of Groupon and I'll give you £24 cash instead?"

Now I can tell you, that as a business owner, I would welcome you with open arms. I would throw out the red carpet. I wouldn't be using the cheap products on you, or offering you a 'limited menu' as you just enabled me to take twice as much on the deal.

And you? You just saved an extra 12% on top of the Groupon saving!

What do you think guys? Who will be the first to try it?

I tried it with a hairdressers, told no and hung up. Didn't work! Well if they don't want extra money....

Frances63

I've never used Groupon, but a friend of ours booked a voucher for 5 of us to have a 3-course meal, two drinks, free entry & a VIP booth in a famous nightclub for £13 each.

The entry into the club alone would have been £10.

I thought the meal was bound to be no choices, just two peas on a plate, etc. & the drinks cheap beer or lemonade only.

How wrong was I! It was a fantastic three courses, yes it wasn't from the full menu, but there were plenty of choices, the meal was great, more than we could eat. The drinks were anything you wanted! There was no quibbling over the printed off vouchers, no money changed hands, except we left a small cash tip.

I was more than pleased with all that for £13. A surprisingly excellent deal.

iamashoppingaddict

Hi guys

I bought a Groupon voucher for Louise Walsh make up brushes on 1 September, today is the 20th and I've not received anything. Anyone else purchase this?

selimap

I have had some excellent deals from GroupOn but also many complaints (2 offically upheld by ASA), the latest of which will stop me using them again.

Essentially the merchant decided not to honour the deals (car valet, I'd bought 2 at £15-50 each) and simply said "ask groupon for a refund".

I've emailed Groupon 3 times, starting about 3 weeks ago. The first received an automated reply, the others no response. I've tried to speak to GroupOn by phone several times and you just get cut off after 30 minutes (yes, THIRTY minutes) on hold.

I shall try one last letter - which will take even more of my time, then I shall take them to court or try to get a refund via other means.