Groupon

Groupon has been in the news lately for a spurned buy out offer from Google.

As do a lot of folks, I have a love/hate relationship with Google.  Love Gmail, love free apps, love their competitiveness with Microsoft, and their motto of “Do No Evil”.

But, when companies can strike down blogs/advertisers with no recourse they seem like a bully, and who likes bullies?

But back to Groupon….  Who is to say if they made a good business decision to blow off Google’s 5 billion dollar offer…

They either are an independent sort who don’t want a corporate giant telling them what to do, or they know they will get a better offer as they grow their business.

Back to Groupon Review

I had resisted the Groupon fad because the company focused on large cities initially, and I don’t live in or near a large city.

A few of the smaller cities near me are now Grouponed, plus I know many of my readers are city dwellers.  So I decided- time for me to get my “Groupon ON!”

The home page is simple, and invites you to join, no muss no fuss.  Just the usual valid email and password.

They then invite you to give them a little personal info, so they can personalize their Groupons.

For those of you, who are from Iron City, and are still wondering, “What the hell is a ‘Groupon’ ?”  Let me ‘splain it to you:

Groupon, simply put, is a coupon for groups.  They publish a “deal a day”, you download the deal, pay Groupon by credit or debit card.

You then give your coupon or show the business advertising the special your coupon on your phone, iPad, or a printed copy and you get the deal.

The deal is only good if enough people sign up for it.  So if you are the only guy in Peoria signing up for a 50% off high colonic, you will be disappointed…..

Groupon Pluses:

• A deal a day
• 40-50% discount on average on the deal
• Complete satisfaction

Downside to Groupon

(after reading numerous online reviews):

• If you are tempted to overspend, don’t, don’t, don’t sign up. (if you are addicted to Home Shopping Channels, That’s a sign! )
• If you don’t like to read the fine print, you will get screwed-(many reviews mentioned buying “first time customers only” groupons, and when they tried to redeem, the business wouldn’t honor the coupon because they were a previous customer.  So as usual buyer beware.
• Limited to cities, so if you live a hundred miles from a medium sized city, it may cost you more in gas than the savings are worth.
• Another daily email, and if you are like me, you already can’t read the ones you get.

Dr Dean’s Groupon Guards:

After signing up and reading reviews, what are my takes?

• Only use Groupon for items you already plan to buy, and can truly save money on.  If you have 50 bucks set aside for dinner in your spending plan, and you can get a Groupon for the same dinner at 25 bucks-go for it.
• If you have a spending problem, don’t sign up.  Like recently reformed smokers who still go to the only bar in town that allows smoking….Stupid!
• READ THE FINE PRINT-sorry for yelling, but if you aren’t going to read the whole offer, and its limitations, expiration date,  first time customer only limits, then don’t even sign up.  The only one you can blame is YOU!

Groupon reviews by fellow bloggers:

Well Healed Blog has a comprehensive review, as a frequent user.

Money Crashers Kira has this to say about Groupon.

Free From Broke chimes in about Groupon.

Mrs Money at Ultimate Money Blog has a positive review of Groupon.

Young and Thrifty reviews Groupon and other similar sites.  Some I have never heard of- off to work- more research to do!

Reader Questions:

Any of you Groupon users?  Let me know your thoughts, comments, or complaints.