No doubt waiters loathe serving Grouponers.
Why I won't be using Groupon again.. A consumer perspective.
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Re: Why I won't be using Groupon again.. A consumer perspective.
#12that's pretty much the main reason I don't use Groupon etc, if you are so desperate as to use a groupon to promote your business and get raped with all those fees, then chances are the quality of the service will be extremely subpar. that's why pretty much the only coupon I ever bought was for Amazon.=
And the Amazon promotion was from LivingSocial, not Groupon.
Yep, it's the only Group/LivingSocial deal I've done as well :)
Re: Why I won't be using Groupon again.. A consumer perspective.
#13I think you might be overestimating how much insight the waitress has into the business. It may be the case that this was a close, family-held restaurant and they have a daily pow-wow on cost of goods and marketing strategy, but I wouldn't bet that way. My guess? Groupon customers are poor tippers, either from adverse selection or because they either a) attempt to tip with leftover funny-money or b) tip based on the…
I think you're spot on that Groupon customers are poor tippers. This was in the UK though where the tipping culture isn't so common place.
Re: Why I won't be using Groupon again.. A consumer perspective.
#14It sounds like a rather depressing experience, and I'm rather sorry to hear that. That said, would you consider going back after the groupon deal, just on a purely scientific basis, to see what you'd rate it at based off a clean slate? I'm mildly curious about the actual differences when the place actually wants you there, as opposed to "handling" you.
I like your commitment to proper scientific process but I'm not sure I could bring myself to go back though - my heart is no longer in it..
Re: Why I won't be using Groupon again.. A consumer perspective.
#15No doubt waiters loathe serving Grouponers.
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Re: Why I won't be using Groupon again.. A consumer perspective.
#16that's pretty much the main reason I don't use Groupon etc, if you are so desperate as to use a groupon to promote your business and get raped with all those fees, then chances are the quality of the service will be extremely subpar. that's why pretty much the only coupon I ever bought was for Amazon.=
It's a good point that it would be very 'industry' specific. If they are simply delivering goods it's hard to cut corners. Though that said it's not easy to cut such large amounts from physical goods.
Re: Why I won't be using Groupon again.. A consumer perspective.
#17I had the same experience with a Sushi joint in Montreal.
Good to know it wasn't a one off.
Re: Why I won't be using Groupon again.. A consumer perspective.
#18I don't use groupon for restaurants or services because I'd probably hate it if I were in their shoes. I think business owners get roped in the same way that artists or programmers do free work because "it'll look great on your portfolio/resume".
I think you're right that they don't love it - and if I were in there shoes I'd have trouble keeping a pleasant demeanour if I was losing money from people being in my restaurant too!
Re: Why I won't be using Groupon again.. A consumer perspective.
#19I think you might be overestimating how much insight the waitress has into the business. It may be the case that this was a close, family-held restaurant and they have a daily pow-wow on cost of goods and marketing strategy, but I wouldn't bet that way. My guess? Groupon customers are poor tippers, either from adverse selection or because they either a) attempt to tip with leftover funny-money or b) tip based on the…
also, it sounds like the company is (understandably) restricting what is available to try reduce the losses implicit in the deal. that means hassle for the waiting staff, who need to explain the restrictions. i imagine, for example, that in this case the waitress had previously had problems with a similar group who ordered the "wrong" wine and then were vocally unhappy. when they found out.
Re: Why I won't be using Groupon again.. A consumer perspective.
#20It's really sad, because it's not only good restaurants that do the Groupon thing. It can be a good way to advertise your business in addition to the standard (boring) ways. Any restaurant that treats their customers like crap because the customer uses a deal that the restaurant approved is... Well, rude. I don't have much use for rude restaurants. For a lot cheaper, I can cook the food myself, and it's probably as g…
I should say the service wasn't horrible - it was just so noticeable the change in attitude from when we were regular customers to 'Grouponers'. I do like the point that half the value of a restaurant is the service. Except in Chinese restaurants, my favorite one has terrible service but the food is great and it seems to add to the character of the place.