Groupon

[Nohal]

Don't know anything about groupon. Can someone explain to me if it is worth signing up for.

 

[robinb]

I like Groupon. It's basically a site where you buy discounted items and (mostly) services. My last purchase was an oil change that I'm going to use tomorrow.

 

[JaxDad]

Don't know anything about groupon. Can someone explain to me if it is worth signing up for.

They offer discounts on a wide variety of stuff. You can search their website without joining. You will need to join to purchase a "groupon." I've had some great deals on various goods, as well as amusements in various cities. Be warned that once you join, you will get 3-4 emails per day. It's cool at first, but then gets pretty repetitive.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I also hate the emails that seem to always be in my inbox. Aside from that, I've used Groupon for: house cleaning, discounted zoo tickets, a jeep tour in Sedona, AZ and I think that's it.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I love it.

I also use Livingsocial.com , and Travelzoo.com

 

[robinb]

You can also buy Groupons for the Orlando area to use on your vacation.

 

[Albort]

i always buy into there $10 gc for $5. Gotten a few starbucks, target, etc...
make sure u get a reference though, other party can get $10?

 

[Imzadi]

Groupon is basically a coupon brokerage. They have absolutely nothing to do with the quality of store, product, service or restaurant, or store hours, in the same way that the printing companies that print the little paper grocery store coupons are not responsible for any of the products/services.

So do your own research as to whether the store/restaurant/service you are buying a discounted coupon for is worth it in the first place. If it's not the type of place you would go in to buy things before the Groupon discount, don't expect the products or services to be better just because they offer a Groupon. Groupon is a place that helps them advertise to a wider, online audience than they'd have without it. It is sometimes a way to find out about LOCAL stores/restaurants/services that you wouldn't have found on your own or tried before.

Always go to the actual business' website to do your own research before buying a Groupon.

That being said, my local area Groupon offers a couple of great Groupons. One for a health food store I already shop at, so I get an extra discount every few months. (Coupons are good for repeat customers.) And I found a new company I like, that I wouldn't have found on my own. The haircutting coupons weren't any good as they were always junior cutters with very little experience, and I could have gotten a better cut at a Supercuts instead.

 

[sonnyjane]

From a business standpoint, groupon eats up a lot of profits. Several businesses will have groupons available, but will actually offer a better deal to you directly so that they don't have to pay a commission to groupon.

Example say a haircut groupon is $50. Groupon could be getting $20 of that, so if you call the salon directly they may offer you a price of $40 since more of that money goes to them. Always worth asking.

 

[aprilgail]

I use groupon and living social all the time- great way to try new restaurants! I also always buy when they have starbucks on there. One time I actually got a melting pot deal on there but haven't seen another in a long time for there.

 

[Meriweather]

I use them a lot.......amusement things and lots of restaurants.
Have used them when looking for a new hair salon and we use them for oil changes.
Have also bought seversl "goods" from them.

 

[Christine]

I've used Groupon for a few things:

1. Discounted tickets to Busch Gardens or Kings Dominion
2. Otterbox Defender cases for my older iPhone models (really cheap)
3. My local butcher offers a groupon deal that basically gives you 50% off your purchase.

 

[nkereina]

I've used it a few times, most recently for a massage and facial. I like Groupon but the only thing I will caution is to read the fine print. A lot have restrictions - for use on certain days of the week, must call ahead, etc. Some restaurant ones don't include alcohol. Most have expiration dates as well.

 

[mom2rtk]

I bought my refurbished smart phone in Groupon. I felt better about that than buying one from a random person on Ebay, and it came with a 30 day return policy.

If you're buying much there, be sure to sign up for Ebates as they frequently have rebates going there (PM me for the referral too!). If I'm not mistaken, they just had a double rebate for on Ebates for Groupon recently.

 

[MickeySP]

Use them all the time, I especially like Grouponing in areas we are heading for vacation. We've gotten some pretty good restaurant & activity discounts.

One thing I recommend is setting up a separate email just for the discount sites. Otherwise between them all yours will get crowded.

 

[E&Cmom]

I seem to forget about looking at it but have used them for the some local attractions, a cupcake place and an ice cream place for my DDs birthday cake.

I keep looking some of the travel/ hotel ones (i.e. Great Wolf Lodge) but are more weary of those even though i know people who have used them with success.

 

[shoney]

Love Groupon. Not groupon goods as much. Sometimes they have some decent specials on goods, but most of the time not.
Also, look for coupon codes....20% off for example.

We use restaurant ones all the time.