Scoopons/Groupons/Coupons

[Brucetiki]

Apparently many small businesses are going broke after getting involved in bulk-coupon/discount sites

http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews ... 6196715106

Has anyone used these coupons before? I've used a couple, with mixed results.

First, was a $49 service at Bridgestone in the city. What they don't tell you is that the coupon is 'labour only' so by the time you get slugged for parts/oils etc it's not much cheaper than full price anyway. You usually see ABS offer a '$29 service' through these sites but haven't bothered with them knowing it'll be 'labour only'.

Second, was given a coupon for 2 washes at The Wash at Unley Rd. Had no problems just rocking up and getting the washes done and they did an outstanding job on the car (I would go back and pay full price).

Third, a Flufferz car wash voucher. First, you had to book about 5 weeks in advance. Second, they had the 'treat Scoopon customers like second class citizens' attitude, both when booking and when doing the wash. Wash was average. Wouldn't go back, not even with a Scoopon.

Fourth, Specta car wash voucher. I rocked up and despite the place being dead, got a lecture for not booking. Again, wash was ordinary. Tried to book 2nd wash - booked out until end of Janurary (but then they managed to squeeze me in for the Sunday before Christmas).

Fifth, $1 pair of sunglasses (plus $15 postage). Ordering them was painful - the website kept crashing due to the demand. Sunglasses are now with the courier, who will deliver them on Monday.

So all up, it seems that many businesses that organise these deals oversell them, then struggle to cope with the demand, resulting in a poor customer experience and many people either missing out or not bothering to redeem the vouchers.

Anyone else had good/bad experiences with these coupon deals?

[redandblack]

I used one for a dinner for 2 at the Manse Restaurant (Groupon).

No problem at all, treated excellently at the restaurant.

[Banker]

Just use ozbargain.com.au

[Sorry Dude]

got a pack of golf lessons real cheap. and just purchased 4 rounds of golf at the vines for $19 a pop (that includes a beer at the end of each round)

[Q.]

My partner bought some kitchen stuff that has never been used, mainly because I rule the kitchen and if I wanna cut something I'll use a bloody knife and not some slice & dice piece of shit that is a pain in the arse to clean.

She also booked a massage and reckons she got hit on by the lesbian masseuse. Things did not bode well for me when I asked if the masseuse does couples...

[Big Phil]

Just got $10 off Pizza delivery for dinner tonight, from Eagle Boys

[mighty_tiger_79]

use them and had no issue

[White Line Fever]

Scoopon

Got a massage and was very good

6week gym membership
Went once and place was weird

iPhone kit
Awesome value

[zipzap]

Haven't had any mega-bad experiences but really hate the attitude you sometimes get - especially when you walk in and see people with the leather-bound red menu and when you get shunted to your table there's the photocopied 'Scoopon' menu which gives about 5 substandard choices. Want sauce with that schnitty? Sorry, not included. But it says served with salad, this is just lettuce! No sir, that is salad.

Also beware of meals advertised as two-course - 'starters' should be more than a warm piece of bread (hello Bull and Bear!) or a Pappadum (hello Veena!).

But I've got a hooked colleague at work who seems to have had some brilliant experiences - it's a bit pot luck I think

[CK]

Largely comes down to selecting things that, in theory, should be fairly cut-and-dried, in terms of not being able to vary the item too much.

Bought a full car service for $59 for a Marion Road mechanical firm, and found it excellent. The only slight downside was a long-ish wait time for the job to be done - and in that part of Marion Road, there aren't many places to go and wait apart from the pub up the road - but the work itself was fine, and the service from the staff good.

Recently scored a full garden maintenance package for $55 - lawns, minor landscaping, trimming of trees, plus window washing etc - but haven't redeemed that one yet, so will see how it goes. Both of these were from Cudo.com.au.

[Alaska]

Use them all the time and have about 75% hit rate with excellent service.
But agree with the car wash places.
I am so far in front $ wise just a bit pissed off with the bad ones, but ensure they know it and everyone else does as well