Do You Groupon?

We went to the Lyric Opera on groupon tickets. Half price, good seats. What a wonderful evening~! Those particular tickets don't come often, unfortunately!

Dawn

Yes, I have bought a few groupons. My Christmas cards (got $100 worth for $30), car washes, massages, santa photos ~ just to name a few. I have not had any problems/issues and have been very happy with the process.

Just FYI - they pulled that Tibet ad ages ago - it caused a bunch of controversy and got them in quite a bit of hot water.

as far as business practices - let's say you buy a Groupon for your local restaurant - $15 gets you $30 in credit. Your restaurant only see's $7.50 of that $15 - the other goes directly to Groupon. So - the restaurant is essentially giving away 22.50 worth of food to you.

It doesn't bother me because I work in marketing and understand the principle and if the business doesn't take the time to "educate" themselves well - buyer beware.

The real goal is to get return visitors off the initial Groupon. We have a local Italian restaurant here in town that does them CONSTANTLY - so it must work for them.

And yes - I do buy them and use them when they appeal to me - but the market for that type of service is SUPER OVER SATURATED right now and doubt Groupon will be much of anything for very long

I like the adventures, movie tickets, and restaraunt savings. I get studio movie grill - movie ticket and drink for $5, regularly $12. WHen that deal comes up, I buy $50 worth and we have movies paid for months.

Yes, we have used them many times. Never had a problem with them.
My best friend owns a Yoga studio and offered through Groupon. They had great results and picked up a lot of new clients.

I think Tat2d is talking about the Super bowl ad. It was not a great commercial and caused a stir because it seemed like they were making fun of Tibet, but was supposed to come off making fun of Groupon. The Tibet Group had been approached about he ad and was fine with it and even had accepted a huge donation from Groupon.

But it upset a lot of people. I did not see the original playing of it but read an article about this..

http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/8-things-know-about-groupon...

Yes, I just started grouponing this past summer and have enjoyed some great deals for myself and family. I'd also like to hear more about what Tat2d is talking about - I've never heard anything negative about groupon.

absolutely! Have had several times when a deal comes along that is something that appeals to me. Usually a salon visit, movie outing or restaurant. Have bought gifts for others through groupon as gifts for others too - mostly my hubby in the form of golf memberships, etc.

Yes, I use Groupon, Stltoday deals of the day (mostly for the st. louis area) & restaurants.com

I'm not certain what tat2d is referring to either. I have not heard any of that; not saying it doesn't exist.

I have spoken to businesses and asked them about using them and they were happy to have the certificates & some (salon professionals particularly) said it was great way to get new clients.

The beauty colleges use it as a way to help their students get the area specific hours they need to graduate.

My son & I saw The Grinch at The Peabody Opera House for $61 when it would have costed me $142. Again I figured it was way to fill the seats,better to sel cheap seats and have a full house than hae an empty house...

Most coupons/certificates don't expire right away and many will let you still use the paid value after the expiration date.

I hope we aren't hurting businesses by using this, but I love & will continue until I know for certain.

I have used them in the past and have loved them. We have never had a problem with them. I only buy what I would use anyway. Golf for my husband and Em Chamas for our dining. Never had a problem.

And as for your first poster, I think it's fine that she's trying to help, but I don't see where they are doing shady business practices. And, the big And is are those articles credible? I have never heard of those websites, not saying they are bad. I have never heard of the Authors, where did they get there information? I skimmed the article but I never saw them cite any information. To me that is shady.

You will have to decide for yourself, but I have used and loved them. Also, I would only buy what you are really going to use. Just my 2 cents.

Yes, and they've been fine. I'd like more specifics on what Tat2d is talking about. I've never heard of that. I thought it was just a way for businesses to promote themselves.

I have used groupons before. I buy them when old navy has them! It does not "hurt" businesses. i worked for a bakery that used them as a way to get her new business noticed. She was happy with the checked she received. They were upfront with her about it and it in no way was immoral.

Hm. Not quite sure what groupon is, but I have an idea......I do living social, where they send you an email a day or so, or one for the whole weekend, where you purchase discounts to places. Is that the same thing? I love living social. We don't purchase stuff all the time, but we went on a dolphin cruise for 65% off the regular price (and I've phoned the cruise place once before purchasing, and once months later, for rates...just out of curiosity to see---YES it was an awesome deal). We also went on 2 family kayaking trips (with the dolphins, once with manatees all around too) for half price. We have gone to Sublime Prime for a buy 1 get 1 free dinner for date night, took the boys bowling for their first time, buy 1 game, get 1 game free at the local miniature golf place with the boys, and a discount on a day-date trip to the batting cages. We look at some of the rates and deals for getaways and vacations, and some of them look like not much of a deal, others look awesome....but we haven't done a vacation yet. We really just use it to help us with date ideas or family outings, and have fun with it. Nothing wrong with saving a little money so you can do something that you wouldn't otherwise do! I remember the dolphin cruise guy---that was our first time to use it, so we were not sure what to do and were a little timid. The guy was like "Man this is awesome! It was kind of a slow start to summer, but we sold 500 of these in just 8 hours!" He said they would definately do it again.

For moral business reason, I do not.

The idea in itself is great. But the business Practices and how the site gets some of its deals is just not awesome.

And they also have a pretty shocking ad out right now that pokes fun at what the area of Tibet has been living through for decades now.

My best friend used them alot when they first were around and popular, but even she could not bring herself to continue getting great deals on things, at someone else's expense.

Anything they offer, I would rather just save my money knowing I was not supporting bad business practice.....It is not worth it in the long run.

It is sadly just another advertising tactic to get people to spend more money on stuff they do not need and can not afford. IMO.

Updated:
Let me dig up what I found on them...It may take a bit:)

http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-02-16/tech/30094...

...here is one to get started. I am still looking for the one I found most appalling.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/303640-estimating-groupon...

Again this is my own opinion. I am very involved in the Occupy movement and I am trying to shed light on stuff that is operating shady. Groupon is one of those business.

I believe their business practices are shady, misleading and bad for the general population.

LOVE Groupon!! Not sure how they get their deals. Don't care. Just care that is saves me money! ;)

Yes I love groupon! For example my daughter broke the glass on her I pod touch and I found a groupon to get it fixed for half the price. (AWESOME) I've also attended things like the Nutcracker and Corn Maze and things like that. All purchased through Groupon. So far everything I've gotten I have been very pleased with.

yes, I have grouponed - car details, bath & body works and a massage.

I had to read through the responses to understand your SWH - I think I know what Libby is talking about - I agree with the poster about the Super Bowl ad. Groupon's marketing campaign backfired on them - they (Groupon) were TRYING to poke fun at themselves instead of Tibet.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/groupon-...