MSE News: Groupon threatened with court action after refusing cash refunds

MSE_Petar

Deals website Groupon faces court action unless it improves how it treats its customers, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said.

Read the full story:
'Groupon threatened with court action after refusing cash refunds'

If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.

born_again

Seems a bit OTT when they do not sell the goods. Only provide a voucher for you to redeem at retailer. 

Pollycat

The headline of the MSE article makes out it is much more serious than it really is:

Groupon threatened with court action after refusing cash refunds

'threatened' when the article goes on to say:

The CMA has now written to the online retailer to ask it to sign formal commitments, known as 'undertakings', to address its concerns. This could include Groupon providing redress to shoppers wrongly denied a refund – though the exact action is yet to be confirmed and will be subject to discussions between Groupon and the CMA. If Groupon fails to act it may face court action.

Jumblebumble

born_again said:

Seems a bit OTT when they do not sell the goods. Only provide a voucher for you to redeem at retailer. 

This depends who has actually got the money at the time that the service is not delivered.
If Groupon are handing over the consumers money to the retailer who subsequently does not deliver then that is Groupons risk and bad luck if it goes wrong
If Groupon are holding onto the money then they need to return it if the service is not delivered

Treestd

In my experience, Groupon have excellent customer service: I purchased a weekend break but then the hotel could not accommodate my dates. I contacted Groupon and my refund was back in my account within 15 minutes!  Another time, I purchased an item which I didn't think was of quality standard; again I was refunded without question!

lincroft1710

Treestd said:

In my experience, Groupon have excellent customer service: I purchased a weekend break but then the hotel could not accommodate my dates. I contacted Groupon and my refund was back in my account within 15 minutes!  Another time, I purchased an item which I didn't think was of quality standard; again I was refunded without question!

Although I have no doubt you are genuine, you will find many Forumites will be suspicious of a new member whose first post praises a company which is being criticised

born_again

lincroft1710 said:

Treestd said:

In my experience, Groupon have excellent customer service: I purchased a weekend break but then the hotel could not accommodate my dates. I contacted Groupon and my refund was back in my account within 15 minutes!  Another time, I purchased an item which I didn't think was of quality standard; again I was refunded without question!

Although I have no doubt you are genuine, you will find many Forumites will be suspicious of a new member whose first post praises a company which is being criticised

Note that new poster say " back in my account" which is one of the points they are being pulled up on. Not refunding customers back to the card used.

>>>It comes after the watchdog found Groupon failed to provide some customers with cash refunds they were legally entitled to, only offering credit instead.<<<