Groupon deals “bad for businesses and customers”
Are customers on cheap offers given second-class service? Some companies offering deals via the Groupon discount website give customers a second-class service that’s more likely to lose them business than gain repeat business.
Print23 September 2013
That’s the finding of a specialist online reputation company which has uncovered cases of Groupon voucher-holders getting a worse deal than full-price customers.
According to UK-based GotJuice.co.uk, its UK and Irish research reveals that voucher-holding customers are asked to sit away from full-price diners while concert-goers with Groupon vouchers were made to wait until all other customers had entered the venue first.
“We’re convinced that Groupon is a bad way of doing business” says Mark Hall Managing Director of GotJuice.co.uk, “and some customers are finding that their discount isn’t worth the money.
“We’re experts in internet reputation and we’ve seen 95% of companies that have had offers on Groupon receiving negative reviews as a result. And a single bad review on the internet is enough to keep new custom away in droves.”
Among the poor Groupon experiences brought to GotJuice.co.uk’s attention are:
• Customers forced to sit in a separate ‘Groupon room’ away from full-paying diners
• Diners only being able to choose from a restricted Groupon menu
• Voucher-holders only being allowed to book awkward times. One business only offered a midweek 6.30-7.00pm slot to Groupon customers
• Concert-goers made to wait outside venues until all non-Groupon customers had been admitted.
Got Juice says that while many people are pleased with their Groupon deals, growing numbers are finding themselves disillusioned by arbitrary restrictions and inconvenient terms.
“The problem with Groupon is that it can be more expensive for companies than they realise,” points out Mark Hall, “It’s a terrible business model that means restaurants and shops can lose money very quickly.”
According to GotJuice.co.uk, companies in the UK sell discount vouchers to a limited number of customers through the website. Groupon then take half of that already-discounted price which means that companies are then dealing with customers expecting first-class service while taking up to a 75% hit on their income.
“No wonder voucher-holders sometimes get a second-class service” he said, “they’re a loss to the company the second they step through the door.
“We reckon that to make money, they’ve got to get every single punter back as repeat business. And treating them badly on their first visit is a recipe for disaster.”
GotJuice.co.uk thinks there are far better ways to attract and keep customers.
“The quick publicity of a Groupon deal may get people through the door,” concludes Mark Hall, “but old-fashioned great service is the way to maintain a top reputation and get people coming back.”
Related Articles
AB InBev UK and C&C Group agree new distribution changes →
Molson Coors reaffirms 2024 full-year guidance →
Pernod Ricard to sell its wine portfolio →
Fans 0
Followers