What do you think of this wedding gift?

[mrsklamc]

A number of posters have mentioned "the" daily deal not being something they'd use. It appears many Groupon users aren't aware most deals are available for several days.

I'm one that said deals I'd buy are few and far between, and I am well aware that they are available for several days. You also said investors like and trust Groupon- they do today. They just turned a profit for the first time, and there's still a lot to be seen before I would trust them enough to risk having a wedding gift I'd given someone just disappear.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/14/us-groupon-idUSBRE84D16H20120514

 

[Girls1]

Op, ha you come to a decision?
Myself, I'm a firm believer in cash for its sheer practicality but I understand wanting to give them something more memorable. They could always say, "Remember when we ate at ....using the Groupon gift certificate from so and so?"
But I personally hate to get gift certificates/cards because of the pressure involved.
Let us know what you decide. In the end it will still be a lovely gift and they will be grateful for it no doubt

 

[mrsklamc]

There's also the fact that $41 BILLION in giftcards haven't been used since 2005:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way...in-gift-cards-havent-been-redeemed-since-2005

A problem you are unlikely to have when giving cash.

 

[starry_solo]

Cash (as in a check). I wouldn't do the Visa or Mastercard gift card because those have fees associated with it when not used.

I use groupon occasionally and live in the Inland Empire in California (this covers Riverside and San Bernardino Counties). Occasionally I see something I am interested, but not often. That means if I want to use a groupon, I have to go to Orange or LA Counties.

Specifically, I'm interested in spa deals.

I do visit Orange county at least once a month (for DL). They (or maybe it was Living Social) had a deal with Mandara Spa at the Grand Californian last year where you got $300 of services (pre-selected) for $99. This year, they decreased it to $200 worth of services (your choice) for $99.

 

[Kellydelly]

I think the groupon gift is a bad idea. Just give them a check for $100 and it will make them happy . Really, it will!

 

[slickback]

groupon gifts can be fun if you do something very memorable, and it's a new and exciting experience, but in general it's not the message you wanna send

 

[Heidict]

If you know for a fact that they use and like Groupon, then I would stick with cash. You don't want to give a gift that won't get used.

 

[mdsouth]

I think the groupon gift is a bad idea. Just give them a check for $100 and it will make them happy . Really, it will!

Definitely - the cash! They will remember you gave it to them! Then the couple can decide what they want to do with it and it will be memorable!

 

[MickeyP]

Cash (as in a check). I wouldn't do the Visa or Mastercard gift card because those have fees associated with it when not used.

Even my 10 yr old knows how to use these. They will MOST LIKELY be used since they are the closest thing to cash. Yes, they do cost $. Most gifts do.

I vote for cash. I can just picture the bride and groom openining a card with a Groupon cert. in it, looking at each other, and cracking up. Really? Really??
Then the next card, they open up has a 100 dollar bill in it. They will be cheering and way more excited than the coupon. They may even question if you paid 100.00 for it.

And................................ you will FOREVER be "the ones that got us a groupon coupon". (This alone should deter anyone).

If you've ever been lucky enough to have a big wedding and LOTS of envelopes, you know the "other gifts" go by the wayside. Maybe not all, but definitely most. Unless you're one of those hoarders that just love everything you receive and couldn't possibly get rid of it ever.

DEFINITELY CA$H.

 

[kaytieeldr]

groupon gifts can be fun if you do something very memorable, and it's a new and exciting experience, but in general it's not the message you wanna send

This statement confuses me. What message does a Groupon GC send? Today I could get my car detailed, or LASIK surgery (granted, not for $100), or go horseback riding, or have spa services, or get my hair colored and cut, or get tickets for two different comedy shows...

Definitely - the cash! They will remember you gave it to them! Then the couple can decide what they want to do with it and it will be memorable!

They may remember they got cash, but unless it's an extraordinary large or very unusual amount, they won't remember who gave what (cash vs gift card vs gift)

And................................ you will FOREVER be "the ones that got us a groupon coupon". (This alone should deter anyone).

Again, I disagree. Especially since a gift is never required, there's nothing wrong with thinking outside the box and giving a gift that could be worth twice its cost.

A $100 credit card gift card will always and forever purchase $100 worth of goods/services - at least until it starts incurring fees for nonuse. $100 cash will be worth whatever inflation says it's worth at the time it's spent. Most Groupons offer a 50% savings on the ultimate purchase, if used before the deadline.

 

[Danibelle]

Personally, I would not enjoy that gift. I would rather have the money to do what I want.

I do not care for groupon.

I would either send them a check or buy something from their registry.

 

[MickeyP]

People will not remember if you gave them a cash or check, a GROUPON coupon will be remembered forever! And not in a good way.

 

[KCMiller]

People will not remember if you gave them a cash or check, a GROUPON coupon will be remembered forever! And not in a good way.

OP here - Boy, that's kinda mean. Are people really that judgemental and mean about gifts they are given? I mean, yeah, my mom once gave me a bright orange polyester pantsuit for Christmas, but I don't think ill of her for it - I was amused at the time and now it's a fun memory. And it's not a coupon - it's a $100 credit to be used on the Groupon site, where they can choose from hundreds of things to buy. And yes, I also know that a $100 bill can also be used to buy hundreds of things. So no need to point that out, k?

I haven't decided what to do yet, but I'll let y'all know. And if I do decide to give them the gift card, I'll let y'all know what they say, for reals.

KC

 

[Mrs.Malone]

I would love to get $100 for Groupon as a gift! I think that is a clever idea, and it would encourage them to spend on something fun.
However, from this thread it sounds like people either love Groupon or hate it. I love it! You would really need to know for sure whether your recipient is someone who would love or hate Groupon, and it would be hard to find that out tactfully. So I would go with cash.

 

[leahjade]

Sounds like you want to give them what you want to give them even if 90% of people would rather have the CASH. The purpose of a gift is to give someone joy not try impress them with your unique idea! CASH may not be unusual or trendy but it's always appreciated!

 

[mrsklamc]

OP- I'm not condemning your choice- I personally think it's a bad idea, but do what you want, of course. However, letting us know what they say doesn't really communicate anything to us. Unless they truly have no manners they will say they like or appreciate it or whatever. They're not going to say to the giftgiver "oh thanks, but we're not really Groupon people."

 

[ICF]

We use Groupon all the time here in Indy. I'd guess I probably get a couple each month and will say I've never had the slightest issue using them. We've actually used 4 of them in the last two weeks for various things.

That said -- unless you are sure that they will use Groupon -- and as you can see from this thread for some reason or another many people don't seem to like the site....I'd probably just give cash.

 

[delmar411]

I'd say you shouldn't based off the fact that the Pittsburgh ppl have all chimed in saying it doesn't offer enough for their city.

That's the best advice you are likely to get.

If the pittsburgh ppl had said there is tons of stuff all over the city then maybe it could be a good and creative gift.

Here in Indy, groupon offers a lot of stuff that a newlywed couple would likely love but they don't live here so that matter very little.

 

[HayGan]

I think a good question to ask would be -- do they live IN Pittsburgh? Many people say WE live in Pittsburgh, when we actually live south of the city, and I never see a deal closer than an hour from home for us. So, that makes Groupon far less useful to me. If we lived inside the city, I might find more deals I would take advantage of.

I'm looking at the site right now, and the only thing I might be remotely interested in (even if I did live IN Pittsburgh) is concert tickets. Seems like a pretty good deal, but I'm not available on that date so I can't go.

While I would prefer to give (and receive) cash, the OP is giving a gift, and I think it will be appreciated no matter what they choose to give.

I tried to explain the regionality earlier - I'm not sure if I got thru to the OP or not. It is really tough to often find deals that are relevant to the area that you live in. (BTW, today's deal is near me but it is for some heat wraps to help you lose weight. Doesn't exactly scream newlyweds if you ask me )

To the OP, if you are really set on giving a gc for Groupon have you considered giving half your gift in cash and halfas a Groupon gc? Even when you use a Groupon, you almost always end up having some additional cash you have to spend!

 

[KCMiller]

Well, you've all convinced me that giving someone a $100 gift card to Groupon is a terrible wedding present, so I'm just going to give them cash. But I already have the gift card, so I'll be using it myself. Here's what I would have bought today, on Groupon, only using stuff that's available in Pittsburgh:

$9 for a 50 page 8"x8" Personalized Leather-Bound Photo Book ($49.99 Value) - that'll come in handy for wedding photos!
$20 for a $40 night out on the town at a downtown Pittsburgh restaurant


Hey, I just got about $90 worth of stuff and I still have $70 Groupon dollars to spend - what a fantastic present I just gave myself !

Rock on, peeps.

KC