The perils of Groupon
Blog by: nathalie bonney on Oct 28th, 2011
Ask me what a group buying website was a few months ago and I'd have a hazy idea that it's something about "buying... in a group... on a website" but wouldn't be able to say a lot more.
A couple of my colleagues however, would go on about the wonders that are Groupon.co.uk, Livingsocial.com, groupola.com and so on. Cupcake making classes, mini breaks to Berlin and that weird 'therapy' where small fish eat away at the dead skin on your feet were all bought by my savvy colleagues with huge percentages slashed off the original retail value.
The fish-feet thing sounded like the embodiment of torture to my fish-phobic self but cakes and holidays were much easier to get my head around. Then I found out that Groupon were offering heavily discounted gym passes and before you could say 'get me on the cross trainer' I'd signed up. Groupon was offering 10 gym passes at LA Fitness for £18, which is apparently a 70% reduction on the original £150 price.
I duly placed my order but when the same display screen appeared again, I mistakenly thought I hadn't confirmed payment for the gym passes and clicked again. The same screen showed up once more and before I bought myself yet more gym passes I twigged my first – and subsequent – purchase had been successful and logged off.
Feeling slightly irked with Groupon I consoled myself with the fact that 20 gym passes for £36 was still a pretty good deal and provided I was reasonably disciplined, it wouldn't be a problem to use them all up before the 7 December deadline date. A day later and I'd also purchased an afternoon tea and spa day for two, priced at £99 in total. I didn't need this – but one look at the original price – £348 was all the evidence I needed to permit my second Groupon buy in as many days.
So in two days I've saved £513: cue cheers of 'fantastic bargain'. The other way of looking at it is I've spent £135 in two days I wasn't planning on spending: cue awkward coughing. And with at least a couple of emails dropping into my inbox each morning who knows what other 'steals' I'll be tempted by? Perhaps a spot of plastic surgery; in a month and a half I've received 93 emails – and a huge proportion are centred around botox treatments, teeth whitening and hair removal. There's something slightly disturbing about the ease with which shoppers can buy these types of procedures online.
Printing off my vouchers to redeem my gym passes was something of a challenge too, with the necessary bar codes not initially displaying. I also foolishly downloaded both gym vouchers at the same time – and under the terms and conditions therefore only have six weeks to use up all my passes – two weeks earlier than the 7 December deadline date. On the plus side that's a lot of gym visits pre-Christmas party season – no bad thing – but as far as groupon deals go I'd say the savings are significantly offset by the barrage of emails I've since received, sneaky terms and conditions and a buying and redeeming process seemingly designed for Mensa members only. Goodbye Groupon.
Yes, I could not agree more with your comment above. If something looks too good to be true then it is.
The offers are just not clear enough,One has to read it like one is Inspector Cluso and once one has committed oneself you are stuck with it.
I just delete their offers now. too much time and effort wasted!
I've mistakenly bought 2 coupons the same way, but I explained the situation to the Groupon support team and they refunded it. As for the deadline, it's always better to book in advance. Just think that there may be hundreds of people like you buying the same voucher. And they all will be interested in taking a massage on Saturday or after working hours. Then there are scams - a training marked as worth 200 pounds on a website designed specifically for this group buying service (kgbdeals) and much lower prices (25) on their real website. And when you actually come to the training it's some amateur who is running it. I wouldn't risk doing cosmetic surgery or teeth whitening with them, but massages I think are quite a good deal if you can book a suitable slot. I have tried several times, and have never been disappointed. But once I bought 3 vouchers and was only able to use 2, because the place was fully booked. I would say - know what you need and snap a bargain when the opportunity occurs, but don't buy just because it's cheap.
here is an email I've just sent to Groupon (took a while to get the correct Uk [& not US] based email address:-
Good Afternoon
I am writing with ref to the deception re the sale you sold @Loop, York: it clearly stated that the saving was 54% & the monetary value £21.90. This would have been great if the most expensive item on the burger menu had been the one on 'offer' ie the blue cheese burger £10.95 x2 which would have equalled your advertised price value. Additionally it was impossible to check what one was buying prior to purchasing your offer as there were no 'menu' details yet on line from this relatively new establishment!! The burger on offer was as follows
Choice of homemade burgers including beef, chicken or vegetarian options
All served with coleslaw and hand-cut chips
The price of these 3 were £7.95 each thus £15.90; this is tantamount to breaking trade descriptions: additionally we were give frozen fries not hand cut chip, which were served to other diners. Before ordering we spoke to the manager who said it was NOT an error of their making & that they'd contacted you twice themselves to point out the misleading info!! This is copied frm the voucher:
Value: GBP 21.90
Voucher price: GBP 10
Saving: -54%
I look forward to your comments - I do think that everything you advertise should be double checked - the trade description is your legal responsibility. It would be a shame if you lost business from either providers or buyers because of this slap-dash approach to you legal obligations.
Yours
Dorothy Nicholson
This article only serves as a warning to read the details carefully before pressing any buttons. There was nothing wrong with the actual deals that you purchased and nothing wrong with Groupon itself.
However, I agree that most people don't need any of these things...
I was surprised you did not mention KGBDeals as they have excellent deals and are more accommodating than Groupon, who refused to refund my £12 when my wife and I were refused service at a restaurant on the last day of the voucher we bought - the chef was late! KGBDeals were very understanding when I asked for refunds on 2 deals which went wrong.
Regarding Nathalie inadvertantly buying her deal twice, as she bought online, she had 7 days to change her mind under the Distance Selling Regulations - she could have cancelled one or both deals without needing to give an explanation. With group sites, there is no hassle of having to return products either.
I have also decided not to bother with Groupon after similar experiences and finding that some of the suppliers of services were less than reliable.
I purchased a treatment for eyelash enhancement at a Manchester salon where the beauty therapist failed to attend her own salon for the appontment on two occasions. I complained to groupon and got my money back but nothing for the wasted journeys, inconvenience or car parking charges in Central Manchester
Casn't believe you would not think that hoops would not need to be leapt through. Just like cashback sites and Ryanair booking fee avoidance, you have to work at it.
Or be like my Mum, and just don't go there.
I always investigate the Groupon deals I am interested in, firstly by actually checking whether the alleges savings are real. Mostly, they are hyper inflated to begin with.
However, the bargains are out there and do exist, particularly some of the eating deals.
So, stick with it, but just be a bit more realistic.
I bought the A V G internet security in august I never received the product.ie mailed groupon to explain, they replied they would look into it.Nothing happened ,I emailed again,and was told to e mail the company concerned direct,this I did,got no reply,emailed groupon again they replied asking for more details i replied with all the details. They replied how can we help you.now November still no satisfaction.Will not be dealing with them again.
I too had a problem with Groupon- it took many emails and phone calls before
I eventually received 2 Silent Night Memory Foam PillowsI valued at £100, selling in supermarkets for less than half that price! Not such a bargain and a lot of hassle!!
I have bought several deals from groupon, including Cupcake Making - very enjoyable, Spa & Light Lunch - very relaxing, Scuba Diving Experience (booked in for the 12th December) and a Massage/Body Wrap Treatment - Superb Value at £29. I never look at the percentage discount, I just ask myself is it a good deal. So far I have had very positive experiences. When one Spa deal was so booked up (more than the 6 months) they extended the offer, no problem. I only buy what I think are quality deals and ALWAYS read what times these are available etc. I love groupon / Travel Zoo and Voyage Prive...............
I purchased GHD Hair Straighteners from O Spa in London on the 4th July. Despite numerous e mails, (to which I have either received automated replies, nothing at all, or promises that goods will be sent once they've received further stock), I still have not received the goods. Telephoning is a waste of time & effort as it is continuously engaged, and whilst Groupon were more helpful and did investigate, I am still waiting. Four months is a ridiculous amount of time between paying but not receiving goods, therefore I will not be dealing with them in the future.
This is the case with me too. After too many experiences that were not worth it, a waste of money or diabolical responses, I'm reluctant to buy a deal. Some have been very good and I don't want to criticise them but overall, I'm usually not interested in the multitude of daily mailings.
Hi, I am looking for people who have had restaurant/ cafe/ bar or hotel disasters with a Groupon deal for a BBC consumer right series.
If you have an interesting story please email krystina.meens@betty.co.uk
Thanks!