Giving Groupons as Gifts - Cheap?

I see no problem with it. For fathers day last year, my mom got myself, my Dad and BIL a day at Texas Motor Speedway (NASCAR). Driving the car and everything. If it's something they would enjoy, go for it!

I've done Groupon activities as gifts, but I hadn't ever given restaraunt groupons. I dont think it's cheap. I think it's great. I would like it and think you were one smart cookie.

Not cheap ... The only issue is when the use expires. I had given a friend of mine a gift for her daughter of $50 at an online store. The time frame was 6 months before expiration. She didn't use it and it expired. So when she tried to use it, she got upset with me. So, if it has an expiration, make sure you note that on the gift card.

I just received a groupon gift for my kids. We were thrilled. We wouldn't have visited this particular place otherwise. And now we get to enjoy it for three visits. I don't care how much was paid, the gift was thoughtful and will be enjoyed!

I just bought two groupons as gifts. Depending on the type of groupon and what it is for, the recipient might know that you spent half (or whatever the discount is). One of the groupons I gave was for a tea set, and I used the groupon myself, had the set shipped to me, and wrapped it. They will never know how much I spent. The other gift groupon, however, was for a free gelato-making class, including a take-home gelato making kit. I had to give the actual piece of paper as the gift, which included the price and everything. So it depends on the groupon as to whether or not the recipient will know the price you paid.

I am a big fan of Groupons and me and my friends are all familiar and purchase them exvept one. I just gave her a groupon for a magazine subscription-doesn't expire until March so...I wasn't thrilled it was just a piece of paper but I put it in a nice card and offered to help her if she needed help when redeeming it.

Also-for those of you who have expired groupons-are you aware that you can call Groupon and they will credit you the amount you spent if you were not able to use it. for the case of the woman who gave it to the daughter-I would just call Groupon-get the credit and give the kid something else.

Also, the Groupons state that the amount is still allowed at the vendor-just the promotional value expires. So if you bought a gift cert for $15 that was good for $30 before it expired -it should still be worth $15 after it expires and if the vendor gives you a hard time-Groupon will refund it.

I have not purchased any Groupons personally but I thought I had heard of some problems with people redeeming them. I don't recall where I heard it though and I'm not sure if it was specific to a particular place. Something about the establishment not setting up the deal and refusing to honor them... Hopefully someone out there might know what I am talking about. Or maybe it was one of those other sites like Groupon. It's frustrating that I can't remember the details but I was hoping someone could tell you if this has ever been a problem with a Groupon.

LSS...if I had personal experience with a Groupon and all went well, I probably would feel comfortable giving one as a gift. If there was a chance that the person would be hassled than I would avoid them no matter how good of a deal it was.

I think it is a great idea! I've even given www.restaurant.com gifts to people - like a $50 gift "card" (it's just a printed sheet of paper) for a local place and I never pay more then a few bucks for it. The stipulation with those is that the person using it has to spend a specific amount (like $25) or order two entrees, that sort of thing - but it is still a huge savings and so easy to use. I think it is the thought that counts!

As long as the cards don't have any restrictions (restaurant card good only M - TH, etc), than why not? Nobody would know you only spent $15, right?

Do they KNOW you only paid 15 for them? Honestly, either way it really does not matter to me - I do not even feel the NEED to do the gift giving for the teachers/day care etc. I think the whole thing has gotten out of control, so if you can save a buck then do so!

I don't think so... I am giving my father-in-law one for Christmas.

I have bought groupons in the past with the intent of sharing/using them with friends or family to go to a restaurant or do some activity as a group. I've even given them to interested people if I can't get around to using them. But never have given them as an actual gift.

I wouldn't give these as a gift because these expire unlike gift cards, often they still have to pay a portion of whatever the activity or food is, and if it's something at a location that's too far away or unfamiliar, something they won't or can't use, or something they don't like, what's the point? Might as well not give them anything at all.

I know actual gift cards may not necessarily pay for full meal or shopping trip, but most of the time people do buy them so that they hopefully do cover most of it. Afterall, it's not much of a gift if the recipient still has to buy it for themselves at a discounted cost.

Plus, I think the presentation is tacky as it will be a printed piece of paper or something e-mailed to them...no nice card or packaging since it is a present.

My question to you is, why haven't *you* used them yet? Sounds like they've been sitting around in your drawer or online on file waiting to be used. If you haven't got around to using them, they probably won't use them either. And what's worse, they'll have less time to redeem them.

People get what they get.. if it's a restaurant you think they'd enjoy, then why not.... if someone gave me one, I'd be happy.. it's a free meal.. never look a gift horse in the mouth..

I think its awesome! If I get a $30 gc, I dont care what you paid for it! I would be appreciative. :)

I say, "give them!" You got a great deal, so yay you, saving money! People are still getting a very nice gift...they get $30 in free product somewhere. I wouldn't be offended if someone gave this to me; I'd just be thankful my husband and I could have a free/cheap date.

My mother gave us a fabulous Groupon for our 30th anniversary. It is a 2 night stay in a fabulous hotel.. We were thrilled.

I think it would depend on how close you are to the people you are giving to.

The day care workers to us, were like family so I would not have a problem with them.. The swim coach you know if you are close enough to them or if they are "cool enough" to handle the coupon,.

For those that do not know about Groupon .. it is like giving a gift card to someone but you only pay half price for it.

If it's a $30 gift card, the recipient doesn't need to know how much you paid. I think it's thrifty and smart, but not "cheap."