[Doug Holloway]

Hi guys

I have just read that the OFT have been investigating Groupon for repeated breaches of their avertising code.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/8931371/Office-of-Fair-Trading-launches-Groupon-probe.html

Cheers

Doug

[wynne jones]

I bet Groupon are quaking in their boots, eeeww the OFT.

[Richard Basey-Fisher]

I dont suppose anyone else saw the report on breafast tv bbc1 this morning  in which they had a cleaning company that specialised in oven cleaning (organic oven scrubs they called it ) and an independant financial consultant .  was extremely interesting .  Basically groupon are selling an idea that basically companies can upsell to the majority of customers  . the consultant and the customer were basically getting the point across that this is not viable in the current climate as customers are attracted by the cheap deals nothing else .

I know a few on here have done groupon and will argue their case but i think the point about these customers becoming regulars paying a sensible price is totally flawed. 

[Neil Williams]

but i think the point about these customers becoming regulars paying a sensible price is totally flawed. 

There were enough of us on here saying just that, it really didn't need a university graduate with a 2-1 in business studies to work that one out.
People who buy their shopping from Harrods don't go to Aldi for their TV's, and likewise people who get their weekly food shopping from Aldi don't go to John Lewis for their suites.

[jasonl]

but i think the point about these customers becoming regulars paying a sensible price is totally flawed. 

There were enough of us on here saying just that, it really didn't need a university graduate with a 2-1 in business studies to work that one out.
People who buy their shopping from Harrods don't go to Aldi for their TV's, and likewise people who get their weekly food shopping from Aldi don't go to John Lewis for their suites.

Absolutely wrong ,,, I have done several million £ plus houses on Groupon , yes they do shop at lidl and aldi , yes they drive 50-  60 - 70 grand cars , yes they have expensive carpets , furniture , tvs  etc , what they dont have is time , time to think about or look for something so mundane as a carpet cleaner , one pops up on Groupon ( me)  they book  me , I  do a decent job , and smart , polite and dont get in the way or disrupt their home , so they ask that I do their friend/business/ mother/ other items around the home, this has happened several times . 

Why do people who have read articles etc about Groupon but never actually invested the time in trialling it think they are experts on it, I do have an OND in business studies , and 2 advisors to me have firsts in business studies , Groupon does work , and does not work , just the same as any other marketing method . It has been cost effective as a method of getting my name out there , and some quality work.

I have done about 20 rubbish dead end Groupon jobs , which were people clearly taking advantage and trying to get something for nothing , the other 55 were smart intelligent people who just wanted to find a carpet cleaner , Groupon was convenient , price was not and is not their main driver, they fully expected and wanted to pay over and above the deal price for a quality product and service.

[Griffus]

I have done about 20 rubbish dead end Groupon jobs , which were people clearly taking advantage and trying to get something for nothing , the other 55 were smart intelligent people who just wanted to find a carpet cleaner , Groupon was convenient , price was not and is not their main driver, they fully expected and wanted to pay over and above the deal price for a quality product and service.
[/quote]

Surely the whole point of Groupon is price shopping, something for nothing, or as near as possible. I'd guess that anyone using their services will do so again and again, as and when required.

"55 smart intelligent people" - Two ways of looking at this: -
1) Of course they are, they're getting their carpets cleaned for peanuts.
2) Not that smart if they need groupon to find a carpet cleaner for whom they are willing to pay "over and above" advertised prices. Can't they search for a local company not so desperate as to offer services via Groupon?

I have no problem with Groupon and what they have achieved as a Company, infact it's pure but simple genius. Where I don't quite get it is from the perspective of the sellers, why brain-train custy's that the services they are offering are available so cheaply?  If companies are struggling and see Groupon deals as an option then that's their decision, although maybe just delaying the innevitable 'end of days'.

I wouldn't work via them as I do not like the idea of upselling AKA B&S. I like to be honest from the off which sort of makes Groupon working a bit too much of a loss leader for my liking.

[jasonl]

Because , anyone who is in business , or works in any environment where they buy services understands that a supplier cannot call out for £34 less any Groupon fee , they know ,expect and understand this  will be the starting cost .

Surely everyone on here knows that carpet cleaning, in most cases is not a stress purchase  , such as car tyres , or a haircut , people could do with a clean carpet , but if they delay for a week , month or year , they  will live, customer has better things to do with time than search a carpet cleaner out , if it pops up on Groupon , they will buy , as they have in their thousands  , knowing full well that they will pay more at the point of delivery . This is fact , I have done it , spoken to the customers , listened to the feedback , and had repeat and referrals from these people  , which is what we are all surely looking for.

[Simon Gerrard]

Jason,
Yeah, but the majority of us prefer to do all of that a profit.

[Paul Moss]

My you hear so much dribble on here.

[Simon Gerrard]

It's the Lawal & Hardy show
( sorry, couldn't resist that one)

[Billy Russell]

It's the Lawal & Hardy show
( sorry, couldn't resist that one)

This boys on a roll tonight!!!!!!

Must be Saturday Night Fever!!!!!!!!     

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I think Groupon are dictating the price IMO there's a cleaning company in Surrey that have thought about it and decided to offer £77 of cleaning for £19, £77 covers 11 sq metres and anything over is £6 a metre for cleaning thereafter so a 20 metre room is going to cost £19 Groupon and £54 extras = £73, so IMO that's the way I would sell it.

(did I put enough IMO's in there just in case Mr Groupon is watching!)

Shaun

[Billy Russell]

I think Groupon are dictating the price IMO there's a cleaning company in Surrey that have thought about it and decided to offer £77 of cleaning for £19, £77 covers 11 sq metres and anything over is £6 a metre for cleaning thereafter so a 20 metre room is going to cost £19 Groupon and £54 extras = £73, so IMO that's the way I would sell it.

(did I put enough IMO's in there just in case Mr Groupon is watching!)

Shaun

Not quite enough IMO's i think!! Perhaps 1 or 2 more IMO's you might be safe!!! But obviously thats IMHO!!!!!


 

[Simon Gerrard]

IMO the problem with that, Shaun, only IMO, is that if people buy a deal for £19 they will expect to get the job done for that, otherwise, IMO, that's advertising under false pretences, which IMO is illegal, and against the Lawal, but on  IMO.

Simon

[Billy Russell]

IMO the problem with that, Shaun, only IMO, is that if people buy a deal for £19 they will expect to get the job done for that, otherwise, IMO, that's advertising under false pretences, which IMO is illegal, and against the Lawal, but on  IMO.

Simon

shut up you ffespalm!!!!!!! IMHO!!!!!!!

[Simon Gerrard]

Billy,
IMHO you're a.... Well I can't say on here, I'll get banned
Anyway, gtfubfec

[AshWhite]

Ffespalm? I'm pretty sure that's a village near me..

[craignozza]

Is'nt it the one with the only gay in it 

[Billy Russell]

Is'nt it the one with the only gay in it 

how do you know that??


 

[Shaun_Ashmore]

It was on your forum Simon, the idea of Groupon from a sellers point is to sell add ons it's not a about the original price and that's why it's only for certain people.

Shaun