Taking Groupon to court

arcon5

Idiophreak wrote: »

"Fault" is an odd one to call here...It may not be their fault *directly*...but it's still their problem.

And, let's face it, they're the one you're buying from...they're the one that's getting 50% of whatever you pay...So, frankly, they're the one I hold responsible when things go wrong...they should vet prospective vendors to ensure they will make good on the deals.

Groupon are too quick to wash their hands of the whole thing and say "it's between you and them" - but it's actually between you and groupon - as that's who you bought the thing from.

Is it that simple though?

This is how I see it...
Your buying a voucher from groupon, your then using that voucher to purchase a product from the merchant so you have 2 contracts in place.

If your unable to redeem the voucher or the terms of the voucher are not being honoured then your issue is with Groupon since the voucher they sold you is not fit for purpose.

If though your issue is a faulty product, your issue is with the retailer as you purchased the product from the retailer (using a voucher as your form of payment).

In the same way if I buy a B&Q gift voucher from Morrisons then go and spend it, if my newly purchased staple gun is faulty I wouldn't have any legal recourse with Morrisons, I would deal with B&Q who sold me the product.

It does though get complicated when it comes to a cash refund. As the retailer could refund you, but via the same method you paid -- back to the voucher so the voucher is now effectively 'active' once again. You now have a voucher you don't want to use (maybe you no longer have faith in the retailer or product) and go to groupon to have the voucher refunded -- where they remind you of their cancellation policy and how you are not eligible for a refund.

In the case of the straighteners though, where the retailers product was not as described and they are unable to therefore provide the product the voucher is for, the customer could argue the voucher is not fit for purpose and claim a refund from groupon -- since it cannot be used to redeemed the product as was supposed to -- the correct straighteners.

System

groupid wrote: »

The problem with your suspicion is that it's completely wrong. We had a a problem with several Groupon vouchers we were unable to redeem, for various reasons - supplier was always busy and couldn't get booked, codes didn't work online, cancelled experience. In every case the customer service experience was dreadful - emails not answered, or when answered taking 3 weeks to reply, can't get through on the phone, and ultimately a refusal to refund the money paid. Having a stockpile of genuine grievances has led me to the conclusion that legal action is my only recourse.

Yes, Groupon have thousands of customers every day, but that doesn't absolve them of all responsibility to those who are unhappy. Why shouldn't the "small vocal minority" voice their grievance, and why are you so keen for them not to complain?

It may not be Groupon's fault when a deal isn't honoured, but it definitely is their responsibility, and a responsibility which they obviously don't take seriously.

Why are you such a vocal Groupon defender, when you don't even know the circumstances of someone's grievance?

because if your grievances are valid you would say what happened and why you are suing grouping. I don't really see what the point of this whole thread is. You are asking for peoples bad experiences without letting people know what your experience was. Its almost as if you are some sort of reporter who wants to write an article about how rubbish groupon are. Anyone who has a good experience is ignored its only negative reviews you are after!

System

I get it now I've reread your post. You want to set up an anti groupon website with bad reviews on it and no good reviews. That seems remarkably petty

groupid

goater78 wrote: »

because if your grievances are valid you would say what happened and why you are suing grouping. I don't really see what the point of this whole thread is. You are asking for peoples bad experiences without letting people know what your experience was. Its almost as if you are some sort of reporter who wants to write an article about how rubbish groupon are. Anyone who has a good experience is ignored its only negative reviews you are after!

I just told you what my experience was - please read carefully before accusing people of ....what....being a reporter....! I've got several genuine causes of grievance and am wondering the best way to sort them out. What is your problem, quit the badgering.

groupid

goater78 wrote: »

I get it now I've reread your post. You want to set up an anti groupon website with bad reviews on it and no good reviews. That seems remarkably petty

No, that's wrong, I'm interested in making the Groupon buying experience a happy one for ALL customers. Why are you so keen to enflame critics of Groupon?

System

groupid wrote: »

No, that's wrong, I'm interested in making the Groupon buying experience a happy one for ALL customers. Why are you so keen to enflame critics of Groupon?

You say for all customers but in your first post you specifically state that you are only after disatisfied customers so you can start a website detailing people's negative groupon experiences. There is no way this is going to be a balanced website. You are trying to start a witchhunt against groupon. I am keen to enflame unfair, one sided criticism of any person or company.

groupid

goater78 wrote: »

You say for all customers but in your first post you specifically state that you are only after disatisfied customers so you can start a website detailing people's negative groupon experiences. There is no way this is going to be a balanced website. You are trying to start a witchhunt against groupon. I am keen to enflame unfair, one sided criticism of any person or company.

You seem desperate to defend Groupon at all costs. Read the top of this page..fighting your corner. What's your problem with me wanting to fight mine and help others fight theirs.

I'm not interested in creating false impressions, or making false accusations, but I am interested in hearing truthful accounts of other people's experiences. You've made your point already that you think Groupon are wonderful and you've had good experiences with them. I didn't flame you for that, so please don't flame me because my experience is different. Have a little courtesy and stop trying to prevent others from stating their view.

The way you are pursuing me, it really does look like you must work for Groupon.

hcb42

I have bought one or two groupons, for food, that is it.

I do work in hospitality though and have spoken to my local Groupon account manager about a groupon offer.

I can therefore assure the reader that they do want evidence of the discount, which needs to be auditable. E.g. if I say the menu is normally £30 a head, i need to prove it, (then discount it by well over half!) If I say a room is £99 normally, I need to prove it - online - though my booking engine

If someone is having trouble redeeming a voucher, then they should get a full refund.

Sometimes though, you get what you pay for. £15 straighteners would ring an alarm bell with me anyway (but the fact is all groupon can do is check the offer is valid, not validate the quality of the product itself). Likewise, I have looked at beauty offers occasionally, but decided they are not the kind of venue I would really choose for a pampering...even discounted!

System

But you are not fighting your corner you are trying to set up a groupon attack website! I don't see how you setting up a website with a carefully edited selection of negative reviews is fighting your corner! It creates an unfairly distorted impression of a company! It's frankly ridiculous.

arcon5

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