Monday, 11 April 2011
Another Groupon Expiry Date 'Mistake' = Large Groupon Profits
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Groupon for Ministry of Paintball Rip-off for 664 Belfast Residents
For those of you not from the UK, that's a 108 mile journey, which involves taking your car on a ferry across the Irish Sea.
So why was Groupon allowed to sell this deal to customers without noting that the nearest Ministry of Paintball UK site to Belfast was in Glasgow?
Many people will just take this as a loss, because the voucher only cost £3. But thats 664 people at £3 each which is a total of £1992. I highly doubt any of the people who bought this voucher in Belfast will be able to use it, so just from a little deceptive advertising Groupon has earned itself a handy £2000.
Customers who bought this deal in Belfast were upset and asked Groupon why there were selling the deal in Belfast when the nearest paintball site involved a 108 mile journey and ferry crossing. One woman named Carolyn bought 8 vouchers for her son's birthday party.
Groupon's response again left a lot of be desired:
'Hi Carolyn, we're sorry for any difficulties you have encountered but in order to enable us to resolve such issues for you we would request you to email our customer service team so they can look into this for you.'
Our translation of Groupon's message:
'Please stop posting these complaints on our Facebook wall. Its bad for business. Instead, please contact us by email. Our waiting times to answer emails at the moment are more than 7 days, and we may not bother to respond at all. Sincerely, Groupon'
(Note: Seven days is the current time Groupon is quoting to receive an email back from their team.)
Groupon's customer service is extremely callous, and seem not to care about its customer base at all. How could Groupon even consider selling this deal in Belfast, knowing full well how far away the nearest site is? How do they expect customers to wait up to 7 days for a response from their customer service teams? Finally, how do Groupon expect to stay in business for the long haul when their customer service policies are ensuring they won't receive any return customers?
If you are in Belfast and have bought this Ministry of Paintball deal. Please contact Trading Standards at 08454 04 05 06. And the Advertising Standards Authority at http://www.asa.org.uk/. Include in your complaint that Groupon offered this deal in Belfast, but the nearest place to use the voucher is 108 miles away and includes a ferry crossing.
We would like to note that while there are Ministry of Paintball sites in the Republic of Ireland, the Terms and Conditions of this deal prevent use of these vouchers in the Republic of Ireland. Stating that the voucher can only be used in one of Ministry of Paintball's UK sites.
Friday, 8 April 2011
Groupon Belfast Steak Deal... Hope you weren't expecting steak!
'Steak Dinner for Two for £15.50 at Jimmy Browns (Value up to £39.90)
The Fine Print to this deal simply states that the voucher expires June 30th, and it is only redeemable from 5pm-9:30PM Wed-Sat.
With 2,500 vouchers bought, that's a massive 5,000 steak dinners Jimmy Browns will have to produce and we were wondering how they were going to accomodate everyone.
Its apparent now, everyone will not be receiving a steak dinner.
The following feedback was left on Groupon's Facebook page:
'hard to get through on the phone but deal is extended due to number of responses. Hard to get weekends but I went tonight. If u are expecting a steak be prepared there are only so many allocated. We arrived at 7.30 and all gone.'
What?!? No steak?!? For a Groupon deal that promised steak?!?
Groupon's response was callous as always: 'Thanks for your comments, we're sorry the steak was over but glad to hear the food was good : )'
Customers have been writing enquiring why people are not getting steak, as this wasn't included in the original terms of the deal.
Groupon's response: 'We've taken note of this and we'd like to assure you that this has been passed on to all concerned, to address but if you have any further concerns please feel free to contact out cs team and we'll do our best to help. Happy Friday : )' Well Groupon, its not 'Happy Friday' for those who bought the steak deal is it?
If you have bought this deal, we would recommend you call Trading Standards at 08454 04 05 06. And the Advertising Standards Authority at http://www.asa.org.uk/.
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Groupon Mother's Day Hephalump Deal- Weeds and 6 chocolates worth £52?
Friday, 1 April 2011
Groupon Mount Errigal Scam... is it another April Fools Joke?
So we went to the Mount Errigal website to search for prices for a room for 2 adults and breakfast.
Suprisingly, we found prices from €74 for a weekend stay for 2 adults including breakfast! That's £65! £14 less than the Groupon deal price!!!
So where did Groupon get the original price of £206 from? We searched many other weekend dates through the summer and fall and the highest price we found for a room with breakfast was €129 (£113).
That's still just HALF of the Groupon value of £206!
Lots of Facebook users are asking where the original price came from, but still no response from Groupon.
I'd like to think its another April Fool's Joke, like the Groupon National Deal today offering tickets to the Royal Wedding..... but sadly, I think people are actually buying this deal.
Groupon has explained that the original price is based on the €240/night Master Suite. The Master Suite has 2 Plasma screen TVs and an in-room jacuzzi. So if you have booked this deal and do not get the Master Suite contact the Advertising Standard's Authority at: http://www.asa.org.uk/.And Trading Standards at: 08454 04 05 06
Thursday, 31 March 2011
A little victory!
Groupon Paintball Scam
Friday, 25 March 2011
Groupon Preys on Failing Companies
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Groupon Offering Vouchers for Fake Companies
There seems to be a lot of deals Groupon is offering in the UK recently for companies which do not exist.
A total of 672 customers in Belfast ordered a Groupon for Crafty Belfast on February 12, 2011, which is valid for 2 months.
Unfortunately, Crafty Belfast doesn't have a cafe! Or cheese! Or cupcakes!
People have been visiting Craft Belfast recently with their coupons, and are suprised to hear that they don't have a cafe, and the cafe they are building will not be finished for another month. After their vouchers have all expired!!!!!!
So customers can't use these vouchers. That's 672 people x £6.75 a person = £4536 for Groupon. Because they have offered a deal for a cafe that DOESN'T EXIST!!!!!!!!
You would think that they would automatically refund everyone who has bought this voucher, since the cafe doesn't exist. However, they are only refunding those who request a refund. And if you've read their Facebook pages recently, no one can get through to their customer service team!
Any other company would be prosecuted for selling vouchers to a store that didn't exist, but Groupon keep getting away with this time and time again. If you have bought this deal, please contact the Advertising Standard's Authority at:
www.asa.org.uk/Complaints.aspx
The second recent Groupon Scam involving a company which doesn't exist comes from London Groupon.
A total of 23 Groupon customers bought a deal for Wow Fat Zap at the Harley Fit Clinic at £299. An additional 939 bought a £39 colonic treatment from the same clinic. Problem? The clinic DOESN'T EXIST!!!!!!
Customers have tried to call the clinic to book an appointment, and the phones are never answered. Several customers then went to Harley Fit Clinic's supposed address at 61 Harley Street.
Unfortunately, the Harley Fit Clinic was not there. Just a note on the door from the doctor's office which is actually located there, asking people to stop ringing the doorbell, because this is not the Harley Clinic!!!!
My question is: How did Groupon not know this was a fake company? Do they not insist on seeing that the company has an actual residence before booking them on Groupon?!?
Of course, Groupon doesn't pay out anything to the company for vouchers that are unused, so the fake company doesn't benefit from this at all, just Groupon! Groupon keeps all the money from unredeemed vouchers.
So why would a fake company set up a scam on Groupon if they are not going to be paid anything?!? My question exactly! Was it Groupon who set up this fake company with a fake address? Since they are the only ones who stand to make a profit by offering vouchers for a fake business, it seems possible.
Groupon have since sent out an email to the customers saying that Harley Fit Clinic has moved to a new address. Then the customers were informed that the company was in Liquidation. Customers who have spoken to the doctor's office where the original address was state that the doctor's office had never heard of the original clinic.
Still very suspicious, people haven't gotten their treatment, or their money back from Groupon. Those who have received a refund, received it in the form of Groupon credits! £299 in Groupon credits? For a fake business?!? Ridiculous!!!!
If you have bought this Groupon deal there are 2 places we would suggest you contact. Please contact the Companies Investigation Branch at:
www.insolvency.gov.uk/complaintformcib.htm
And also contact the Advertising Standards Agency at:
www.asa.org.uk/Complaints.aspx
Since post this, I have received a number few comments from those bizarre 15 people who defend Groupon saying:
'Its beyond Groupon's control if a company decides to change its circumstances, especially if they don't tell Groupon. Do you expect Groupon to ring each person?'
What I expect is:
If Groupon discovers a business doesn't exist, stops answering their phone, or moves without notice... If the expiry dates are changed after purchase, or they company is no longer able to offer what they promised ....Groupon should refund everyone's money! Not just those who ask for a refund! Not in Groupon vouchers! Just give people their money back if they find out the business isn't real, or isn't offering what they promised! Simple and obvious!
But Groupon ARE making lots of money off these fake businesses, changes in terms and conditions, expiry date mistakes! People are requesting their money back and getting no response. And all this is making Groupon loads and loads of cash.
If Groupon makes any mistakes in the advert, if the business is fake, or goes out of business - I expect Groupon to refund everyone in cash, without a request! And this is what I will continue to campaign for until Groupon becomes a more reputable business!
Saturday, 19 March 2011
Bear Costumes are the Groupon National Deal
deal of the day is?!?
Seriously..... what IS that?!?
Today's Groupon National Deal is:
'One-Piece Teddy Fleece for £55 from OnePiece Jump In (Value £190)'
Great deal! I'm thinking maybe I'll buy it for a gift for my sister. I'm sure she'll get a lot of use out of it with SUMMER coming....
I'm not sure about the original value of £190....seems a little steep. But maybe that's what Bear Halloween Costumes are going for these days. : /
Groupon refers to this wonderful one piece fur suit as 'a trendy substitute for a human hug' and says that it is a 'wardrobe staple among wrestlers'.
Beware citizens of the UK, because 257 complete morons have already purchased this incredible deal. Inevitably, you'll see a few men walking around in one of these hideous things too.... and for that, you can thank Groupon.
Friday, 18 March 2011
Groupon Glasgow Scam
The fine print of this deal states:
'Valid for dine-in, a la carte menu only. Excludes mains over £10.95, naan over £2.95, Tandoori Selection and King Prawn dishes. Valid Mon-Thur 12-6pm, Fri-Sat 12-5pm. Not valid Sun.'
Pay careful attention to the hours that you can use this voucher. Noon to 5pm on the weekend. Noon to 6pm on the weekdays. Fair enough amount of hours. Probably more of an early-bird special of lunch than a dinner.
So what do you get for this original value of a whopping £52.50?!?
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Groupon and T-Mobile National Scam
Monday, 14 March 2011
Another 'mistake' = £££ for Groupon
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Groupon's Charity Donation Problems
'Hey all! What this means is that for £2 you donate, we will donate £2 more. We're sorry to hear that some of you are not interested in supporting charities, you can email our support team regarding terms and conditions.'
Saturday, 12 March 2011
Groupon's Fry-Up Deal Misleading
Yes! £1.80 for a glass of orange juice. That must be a HUGE glass of orange juice? Right? I mean you could buy a CARTON of orange juice for £1.80. Well.... not quite. Have a look at the picture! A shot glass of orange juice.
So what is included with your Ulster Fry? Time to look at the 'Highlights' section of Groupon which is actually also fine print.
Groupon's response: 'Its best to ask when you sit down but I'm sure they will.'
Friday, 11 March 2011
Why Groupon's 'mistakes' are highly profitable
Since I posted on Belfast Groupon about changing expiry dates after purchase, I have gotten a number of supportive emails from other Groupon customers who have had problems with their service. In fact, Groupon have changed the Terms & Conditions on numerous deals in the UK. Why? Because these mistakes and problems make Groupon a HUGE profit!
So I would like to share some cases of Groupon fraud I have heard about this week:
1. A woman bought a Groupon deal £15 for a 3 hour driving lesson. She tried to book online and couldn't. She phoned the company, they never picked up and a short time later the number was no longer in service. She went to the address provided for the company, and there was no driving school there. She queried people who lived on the street and they had never heard of the driving school.
2. A user bought a Groupon voucher for Hello Canvas on Jan 28, 2011. The terms of the voucher were that it expired in 3 months, so it should expire April 29, 2011. After I posted about the discrepancy in expiry dates, she checked her voucher and found out it is due to expire the 29th of March which is only 2 months.
3. A man bought a Groupon voucher for his girlfriend for a massage. The terms & conditions did not state anything about specific days or times to use the voucher. When she telephoned to book the massage the company stated they only do massages on Mondays and Tuesdays. He asked Groupon about this several months ago and they have never gotten back to him with a refund or the ability to use the voucher on a suitable date.
4. People have booked a deal at the Clarion Sligo Hotel, and are unable to get booked in for a room 'as the deal is so popular'. People who have booked this deal before say that they have not been able to stay in the main hotel with this voucher, but rather were booked into a room in a 'minging apartment block down the road.'
5. Belfast residents have ordered a BT4 Beauty Voucher. They are trying to book at BT4 Beauty and are being told that BT4 is having problems with Groupon and are therefore cancelling all Groupon bookings. Groupon have repeatedly told all these customers that their BT4 vouchers have expired, but the customers have shown proof that their vouchers have not expired. Groupon are now 'working on a replacement venue' for people who have bought these vouchers.
6. Belfast Groupon offered a voucher for Paul Shapiro a few weeks ago. The email stated that the voucher would expire May 11, 2011, but when the vouchers were received the date on them was changed to April without notice.
These are just 6 of the most recent problems happening with Groupon. And these problems and mistakes all make Groupon a large profit.
'How?' you might ask...
When it is a hassle to redeem a voucher and they go unredeemed Groupon keeps the profit from every unredeemed voucher. Lots of money!
Changing expiration dates and not notifying customers also makes Groupon a large profit. If customers do not know the dates have been changed and do not redeem their voucher before expiration Groupon keeps the cash.
Also, making customers wait a very long time to receive services, refunds, or customer service has left many customers so frustrated, they just write off the voucher as a loss. Again, more money for Groupon.
Beware Groupon customers!!!
What happens when you mess with Groupon?
Beware of Groupon UK Scams
'So Groupon made a mistake... so what?' you might be saying. Well lets just say that someone buys the voucher, doesn't check to see if they have changed the expiry date and doesn't go to the Aquarium. Do they get their money back? Does the Aquarium get the money? NO!! Groupon keeps all the money from unredeemed vouchers!
So it seems that this 'mistake' that they made is very lucrative for Groupon! And there have been several such mistakes with Groupon Belfast in the past month. Some people bought vouchers with a 3 month expiry date, but were sent vouchers with a 2 month expiry date without being notified.
The other deal which has been a problem for Groupon Belfast this month is the Millbrook Lodge Deal. Nearly 2000 people bought the Millbrook Lodge voucher for a stay in the hotel. The problem? Millbrook Lodge only has 16 rooms! People are trying to book and can't get through, they are unable to get a suitable booking time. A lot of people are giving up and not using their vouchers. And who keeps all that money? Groupon of course! £36 per person to be exact.
I will continue to update the blog with other Groupon UK scams. Please let me know if you have been scammed.