Another Groupon Expiry Date 'Mistake' = Large Groupon Profits

Another day, another Groupon expiry date mistake.

Groupon customers are enquiring which expiry date is correct after buying a Groupon deal for sunglasses. The terms and conditions stated the voucher would expire on June 16, 2011, but customers received a voucher with an expiry date of April 17, 2011.

Groupon hasn't yet given the correct expiry date. But whether the vouchers expire in April or June is really irrelevant. Groupon is making a lot of money off these expiry date 'mistakes', even if the vouchers are valid for a longer period of time.

Here's how:

Groupon keep 100% of the profit from unredeemed vouchers.

Let's say the correct expiry date is April. Customers who bought this voucher, assume they have until June 16th to use it as stated in the Terms and Conditions of the deal. Anyone who doesn't redeem the voucher before April 17 gives 100% of their voucher money directly to Groupon.

If the expiry date is actually June, and Groupon 'mistakenly' put an expiry date of April on the voucher - Groupon still profit. Many customers will try to use this voucher in May or June. But when they see an expiry date of April, customers will assume that THEY made the mistake, and throw away the voucher - taking it as a loss. All these unredeemed vouchers will make a 100% profit for Groupon.

So it doesn't really matter which expiry date is the valid one. Either way an expiry date 'mistake' makes a large profit for Groupon.

If Groupon has changed an expiry date on your voucher after purchase, please report it to Trading Standards 08454 04 05 06. And the Advertising Standards Authority http://www.asa.org.uk/ .