MSE News: OFT to investigate Groupon over advertising breaches

FreebieKing

Groupon are certainly attacting alot of negative press recently!!

freccle

I buy LOADS of stuff via groupon and I've never had a bad experience with Groupon itself. Some of the merchants themselves need to be taught that Groupon is to encourage new clients to them rather than seeing the client as 2nd class because they have a voucher! One cleaning company just didn't respond to emails or phone calls to book a time so I contacted Groupon who refunded my money within a few days. and merchants who complain they lost money by having such a large response to their offer should see it as a form of advertising. If you've had 1000 more people coming to you, if you're a good company a good proportion would come back. I'd recommend Groupon wihout hesitation

hellofreebies

lots of publicity concerning groupon i noticed!!

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/12/02/grouponuk-idUKL5E7N22XJ20111202

i just wanted to say, one time l lost my visa card and was really keen to buy a voucher on groupon and rang them the company advertising the offer direct to explain how i was keen to take up their offer but dont expect my card to be received before the purchase time expires..so suggested if i can book and pay direct on the day!! and ofcourse the company was more then happy for me to pay and book direct, and even explaining how unfair groupons terms are!!
so no more buying vouchers you never use!! book direct...

groupon has lots of tricks up their sleeves to maximize their profits....

http://grouponscam.blogspot.com/2011/03/another-mistake-for-groupon.html

http://www.londondailydeals.co.uk/group-buying-deals/groupon-misleading-and-deceiving-potential-customers-scam/

http://posiescafe.com/wp/?p=316

hellofreebies

links reset

redrobin24

Oops I did a double post!!!

redrobin24

I've managed to sign up to multiple Groupon sites and I can't find any way of deleting my email address from their systems, I am sick of the constant emails!

The main reason I do not want anything more to do with them is that my card got skimmed on their website!
I bought something off there once, which I was very happy with (a discounted TEFL course, although I do not feel confident enough to use it to apply for a language teaching job, it looks good on my CV). The next day, I had an email saying that my payment for a deal at a hotel in Swindon had been declined... uh.... what? I never bought that! I called them and spoke to someone who I swear had an IQ of 2, had no idea what I was saying, and I had to spell it out V E R Y C L E A R L Y - my credit card has been skimmed on your site! I asked him to check my Groupon account and delete my card, and he said that no card details are stored?!

Anyway, I cancelled my card (God bless Barclaycard, they've never been anything but helpful to me!) - but I don't think I'll be using Groupon ever again!

nixblags

Bought a car valeting voucher in August (already had a voucher refunded with another valeting firm as they didn't reply to any booking requests I sent). Took over a month to book it as they supposedly had problems with their website (although they used a web-based booking engine so not convinced). All dates I was offered were full until finally got a date at the end of Nov. No-one called me to confirm as promised and no-one turned up on the appointed date. Now awaiting another refund. My hubbie forwarded me a groupon hotel deal and I noted in the small print it says the hotel reserves the right to add any charges. Yes you read that correctly...ANY charges. Yikes! I have bought only one product I am happy with on groupon, and that was a deal from another web based low cost supplier. The afternoon tea deal I bought was cancelled by the venue and then the food was really disappointing. Trying to unsubscribe from Groupon but they don't let you. Blocking all their e-mails now.

circuit

redrobin24 wrote: »

I bought something off there once, which I was very happy with (a discounted TEFL course, although I do not feel confident enough to use it to apply for a language teaching job, it looks good on my CV).

That TEFL course isn't accredited. Groupon support staff have been telling people that it is. When people have phoned the TEFL company to complain, the staff have been hanging up on them.

A quick Google search for 'Groupon TEFL accredited' brings up lots of complaints about it.

Buyer beware.

Laughingbear

My experience with Groupon is turning into a real pain in the backside.

I bought a bluetooth kit from Bluetooth World, via a voucher from Groupon on 7th Nov and i'm still waiting for it. I've sent emails to Groupon and Bluetooth World and i'm appalled by the customer services of both companies. Each has failed to give me an answer as to when i will recieve the product they've already taken the money for and i've still (10th Dec) not got it.

After Bluetooth Worlds wed site having problems for nearly a week before i could use the voucher i'd paid for i got this response from Bluetooth World:

Thank you for your email, Your item was processed on the 13/11/2011. You item will be dispatched 2-4 weeks from your processed date, once dispatched please give up to 7 working days for your goods to be received by you. You will receive a confirmation email once your item has been shipped.

2-4weeks for dispatch!!!! HOW does that work out. Are they walking the package to my house in person!!!

There, it's off my chest. I now hope my message on these boards costs both these companies FAR more than the £22 i appear to have lost with them!!

Laughingbear

Laurabeth38 wrote: »

I have been royally done over by Groupon in the last 6 months. I will never ever be using them again.

I'm having MAJOR problems with Groupon so i google searched for the board of directors. I got the list and I took a pot shot at guessing with their email addresses and bingo i got a quick response from Groupon. The usual stuff about them trying thier best....blah, blah, blah (heard it all sooo many times now).

However, i've tried to email them again and guess what? Looks like I've been blocked. It must be causing them a real pain in the backside when people (YOU LOT) email them directly to let them know how much poor their services are rather than going through their 'customer support services' only to recieve yet another automated response!!

I've more or less written of my chances of getting my money back (even though their promise it to refund customers if they're not happy, however i do intend on costing this company more than they've cost me in administration costs by facebooking, tweeting etc my expereinces with them. Let them block each and everyone of us that has the cheek to want decent customer service.

Power to the people (and the internet!!!).