Groupon problem -advice needed

[3angelsmom]

I recently purchased a groupon for a local restaurant. It states that 48 hours notice is requested for reservations. The restaurant website says the same. In fact, it says to be sure to make a reservation b/c they close after the last one of the day. Not a busy place. When I called, however, the answering machine stated that the next available "groupon reservation" for a weekend was October xx (can't remember the exact date, but it was over 7 weeks from when I called). I left a polite message saying that the groupon and website said only 48 hours was needed and I would like a reservation for 3 days from then (I can't remember the exact wording, but the answering machine message also made it sound like the wait was only for Groupon customers and "regular" customers could still make reservations).

The owner called back and said that groupon oversold and now she is stuck trying to meet the demand. The reason everything was booked solid was b/c people were trying to use their groupons before they expired at the end of Sept. Mine doesn't expire until Nov. After talking to her more, I realized that despite her complaints that she was oversold, the restaurant offered a Groupon again later, when I had bought it.

The woman reiterated that the first available weekend reservation was in 7 weeks, and the first weekday reservation was about a month later. This wasn't b/c I demanded certain days or times; they are simply the first available times anytime they are open.

Based on this, I contacted Groupon requesting a refund. I received an email stating that they would attempt to make a reservation on my behalf and to give them some availability, and that since it doesn't expire until November I have plenty of time to use it. While I appreciate their attempt to rectify the situation, I have a busy family life and our weekends will be crazy once school starts. I don't want to waste any more time, now that I know this restaurant can't handle the demand. Nor do I want to plan lunch 2 months in advance. This should be irrelevant, though, since I bought the Groupon believing that I would only need a few days notice to make a reservation. I can understand a short wait, since the purpose of Groupon is to pull in business, but I think 7 weeks is excessive. Am I wrong? Advice on how to handle this?

 

[littlebit0863]

I don't really see what can be done. If lots of people bought the groupon then I'm assuming they make the reservations first come first serve. If they have no openings now then I don't see how they can make one.

 

[crackerjack21]

I would ask Groupon if they could extend the expiration date. Given the groupon was oversold and the restaurant can't handle the demand I think that's reasonable. That will give you more time to use it when you want.

Even when the Groupon expires you still at least get the value of what you paid for the groupon, so you won't be out an $, just didn't get the deal you hoped for.

 

[Mom2Ben02]

Give them some dates, and let them try to make a reservation. If they can, great. If they can't, you'll get your money back.

 

[ctl]

I'm always wary of groupon coupons. It seems like the coupon you bought is good until November and as the restaurant has offered you times before the expiration date you may well be stuck with the coupon. Good luck with trying to get a refund. Maybe you could give/sell the coupon to a friend?

 

[delmar411]

I'm always wary of groupon coupons. It seems like the coupon you bought is good until November and as the restaurant has offered you times before the expiration date you may well be stuck with the coupon. Good luck with trying to get a refund. Maybe you could give/sell the coupon to a friend?

THIS.

I bought a dinner date type groupon that I had planned on using this summer with DH but the only couple dates we could go were sold out and I requested a refund. Groupon denied the refund because there were dates available prior to the expiration date. So now I'm stuck looking for someone who wants to pay me nearly $50 for a groupon.

 

[tasha99]

I am so done with Groupon. I've had a few coupons expire recently and have decided they are too much trouble.

 

[ICF]

guess I'm lucky....I've bought and used them on a regular basis without issue.

We've used them for places to eat, a bed & breakfast, mini-golf and stores around town and never had a single problem.

 

[cruella4me64]

I would hope for the best that you receive a refund, but since the deal doesn't expire for three months, I'm guessing your request will be denied. Hope I'm wrong!

To make the best of the situation, could you just accept the best reservation in the future and put it on your calendar? Make it a priority like your other future commitments?

Good luck!

 

[babyrich]

Why not just accept the reservation they can give you in 7 weeks and be done with it. The owner gave you an explanation. Seems easier than trying to get squeezed into the restaurant.

They just had a spot on the news that said that many times these groupons cause the owners to lose money.

You may not want to plan lunch 2 months in advance but if your a Disney fan you may be used to making reservations early.

 

[Alesia]

Why not just accept the reservation they can give you in 7 weeks and be done with it. The owner gave you an explanation. Seems easier than trying to get squeezed into the restaurant.

They just had a spot on the news that said that many times these groupons cause the owners to lose money.

You may not want to plan lunch 2 months in advance but if your a Disney fan you may be used to making reservations early.

I agree.

You're already getting an incredible discount, which the restaurant is taking a loss to give you. Why make a mountain out of a mole hill?

It may not be ideal, but sometimes things just don't work out the way you plan. Take the reservation you can get, enjoy your meal, and get on with it.

 

[luvmy3]

I don't think you will, or should get a refund since the restaurant isn't breaking the terms of the groupon. Saying you need to make a reservation 48 hours in advance doesn't mean you are guaranteed a reservation, and you are no where near the expiration date. And, like a pp said you will always be able to use what you paid for the groupon (after exp. date) at the restaurant, so you are really not out any money.

 

[crashbb]

They say that they need at least 48 hours notice - not that they promise you a reservation 48 hours after your call. I don't see that what they are doing (offering you something in October) in anyway contradicts the 48 hour rule.

 

[3angelsmom]

You may not want to plan lunch 2 months in advance but if your a Disney fan you may be used to making reservations early.

So true! I've already made ADR's for our January trip!!

Thanks for all of your opinions. I've used many groupons and never had an issue, but this is the first that required a reservation.

It's the conversation with the owner that bothered me the most. She's said she's really annoyed that she has to accommodate all of these extra people b/c of Groupon's error, yet still went ahead and offered the deal again. I would think in this economy she'd be appreciative of the business. Or at the very least not whine to potential customers about it. She also said she's squeezing as many people in as possible and is turning over tables every 30 minutes - for a 5 course meal. This is not the "deal" I envisioned.

I think I will wait until the hype dies down after the expiration date (and during a break in my kids' sports schedules ) and just use the face value for a more relaxed dining experience with less of a wait. Thanks again!

 

[TifffanyD]

I am so done with Groupon. I've had a few coupons expire recently and have decided they are too much trouble.

^^^^^^^^^^ this!!

I think since they started their premium groupon service where you can return groupons anytime (for a fee, of course), that customer service is really lacking. I am pretty much done with them too, except I did just buy 2 for car window tinting bcz I *NEED* to get it done and this way we can get both cars for the price of one. I have a living social too but I think I am done with these things. I had one expire because our life changed and we couldn't end up using it and they refused to refund it.

 

[Lemurone]

So true! I've already made ADR's for our January trip!!

Thanks for all of your opinions. I've used many groupons and never had an issue, but this is the first that required a reservation.

It's the conversation with the owner that bothered me the most. She's said she's really annoyed that she has to accommodate all of these extra people b/c of Groupon's error, yet still went ahead and offered the deal again. I would think in this economy she'd be appreciative of the business. Or at the very least not whine to potential customers about it. She also said she's squeezing as many people in as possible and is turning over tables every 30 minutes - for a 5 course meal. This is not the "deal" I envisioned.

I think I will wait until the hype dies down after the expiration date (and during a break in my kids' sports schedules ) and just use the face value for a more relaxed dining experience with less of a wait. Thanks again!

She's not grateful for the business because she's only making about 25% of what she'd pull in if you went to lunch without a Groupon. She's not grateful for the business because Groupon holds the cash they make from sales and pays business owners in three payments spread out of the course of weeks. Groupon takes a lot of the cash and charges the business a fee for every cert that was purchased using a credit card--in other words, all of them. They don't assist business owners in planning good deals, setting caps, and telling them what to expect. Some daily deals places do that well. Groupon does not. I have used them, but now have too much guilt over what the business owners go through, and too much knowledge over what probably caused them to use Groupon in the first place--needing a quick loan to stay afloat essentially-that I won't use them again.

 

[delmar411]

She's not grateful for the business because she's only making about 25% of what she'd pull in if you went to lunch without a Groupon. She's not grateful for the business because Groupon holds the cash they make from sales and pays business owners in three payments spread out of the course of weeks. Groupon takes a lot of the cash and charges the business a fee for every cert that was purchased using a credit card--in other words, all of them. They don't assist business owners in planning good deals, setting caps, and telling them what to expect. Some daily deals places do that well. Groupon does not. I have used them, but now have too much guilt over what the business owners go through, and too much knowledge over what probably caused them to use Groupon in the first place--needing a quick loan to stay afloat essentially-that I won't use them again.

While some of this may be correct (I know for sure Groupon takes 50% of the money) not all of these are small struggling businesses.

Heck WDW just had one for para-sailing at the Contemporary. They aren't struggling at all.

I have no guilt over buying groupons. If they don't want to do the groupon then don't. No one is forcing them to do that and taking a 75% fee for a quick loan is extremely poor business sense!

 

[swilshire]

I buy discount coupons from four different companies and generally have good luck. I had one expire recently because I got the expiration date confused by a day and the business wouldn't budge and still take it, but mostly I've had really good luck.

It's interesting to see how well the businesses, usually ones I already like or new ones I want to try, handle the coupons. Some are so nasty about them that I would never give them any other business. Others treat us so well that they get what I assume they wanted, future business at full price. At one pizza place, one of the co-owners took my order and spent the next 30 minutes telling me how his partner was bankrupting them with all the coupons that their regular customers were using. Haven't been back there again.

All of the discount companies have refunded the purchase price for businesses that closed or refused to honor the coupons within the valid dates. I slowed down a bit on purchases when it seemed that using them by the expiration date became a chore, but I missed them when we came close to running out. We had a terrific lunch today at a Mom and Pop restaurant I would have never found on my own. $10 for the $20 value coupon and an additional $3 cash bought us three plates with meat, two veggies, and rolls. Very large portions, so we have leftovers for tomorrow.

Sheila

 

[Leajess99]

I am so done with Groupon. I've had a few coupons expire recently and have decided they are too much trouble.

Have you requested a refund?? I had a Groupon for a photography session and they refunded mine as it was expiring and I could not use it. I only got Groupon Credit but have used almost all of it on other groupons. Pretty good deal.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I guess I don't really see the issue. The groupon doesn't expire until long after you were offered a reservation. I take the 48 hours information as you need to make a reservation AT LEAST 48 hours in advance, not that reservations in 48 hours will be guaranteed/offered. No one can make a restaurant have availability, if it is booked it is booked. At least they will be able to accommodate you in October, that is a lot better than many WDW restaurants