Groupon Baltimore: Consumer Web Site of the Week
Ahoy there, readers! We here at Consuming Interests know you like coupons and discounts --- that's why those $1 Boston Market chicken meal coupons have been so popular.
So, for this Consumer Web Site of the Week, here's a site that delivers a little bit of potential savings into your inbox each day.
It's called Groupon, and here's how it works:
Each day, Groupon advertises a deal for a local business. The inaugural special on Monday was a $30 worth of food and drink for $15 at John Steven Ltd. Five Points Tavern in Fells Point. Yesterday, they were pitching a $60 Jaccuzi massage for $25 at Sasa's Spa in Bolton Hill.
Each day they set a limit for the the number of Groupons that need to be sold before the deal becomes valid. So today, 20 people need to sign up to purchase $25 gift certificates for $60 worth of purchases at Blu Vintage Boutique in Mount Vernon.
But then, when that minimum is reached ...
... Groupon charges everyone's credit card and sends out e-mails with redemption instructions. If they don't reach the minimum, though, the deal falls through and no one gets charged.
Other customers can continue to buy Groupons all day --- 37 people took advantage of the Sasa's deal, after they hit the minimum at 1:52 p.m., whereas they sold 79 Groupons for John Steven, and hit the minimum just after 9 a.m.
As always, pay attention to the fine print before you buy. The deals are valuable if you're already a customer of these businesses or have been meaning to check one of them out. They are NOT good if they inspire you to make impulse purchases or to spend money you don't have --- or if you hoard the coupons and never end up redeeming them.
I say this while thinking about the large stack of Restaurant.com certificates I've purchased at deep, deep discount --- but have yet to use. Sigh.
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Consumer Web Site of the Week
Comments
I have a stack of unredeemed restaurant.com certificates too.
So HAPPY about Groupon tho! I begged them to come to Baltimore eons ago, cos I kept seeing people in Boston brag about it.
(Not saying they came because of me.)
Posted by: Maryann | October 28, 2009 10:43 AM
I am so excited about Groupon. This site is great. I just moved to Baltimore from Chicago and I couldn't wait for Groupon to arrive in Baltimore. The deals are great, and the businesses they use are top of the line. Check it out! I think you have to sign up, but its free to join.
http://www.groupon.com/baltimore/
Posted by: Karen Lutostanski | October 28, 2009 11:22 AM
The real issue with TONS of restaurant.com gift certificates is how to prove to the restaurant that the law in MD is store specific gift certificates is that they don't expire for four years, regardless of what the gift card says AND that law applies to restaurant.com.
Posted by: Richard | October 28, 2009 12:25 PM
Liz, have you seen all the complaints about credit card overcharges on Groupon's webpage? Have you seen its connection to pay-for-play email list scams and its relationship with questionable companies like BriteSmile?
Caveat, I didn't see the complaints you mentioned. Anyone had an issue? Let us know! --- lfk.
Posted by: Caveat emptor | November 9, 2009 11:55 PM