I just finished reading an article in my latest issue of Rebook magazine (August 2012 issue pg. 64). There is an article that tells the three things they suggest you avoid buying with a Groupon. All three are pretty much medical procedures. I have to say I completely agree with Redbook on this one. There are just some things I would prefer to either shell out the money on our use my insurance to help defray costs. I think about the times I have been to a business and they seem to not be very well informed that they were to expect Groupons being used. Then they seem to be a bit put off by it and treat me like “one of those coupon ladies.”
Now on the whole I have to say this has not been my experience. Usually companies are very nice and are happy that Groupon helped bring them a customer that may never have tried out their company before. But I would really hate to have to go in for something like a Lasik surgery where someone is dealing with something like my eyesight and be irritated with me!
I once was at a local Rotary Club auction. There was a doctor there that was auctioning off his services for a Vasectomy. A man at my table said there is NO WAY I would be bidding on that. I said “Why still hoping for my babies in your future?” He said, “No it is more along the lines of I really don’t want to be paying for a discounted surgery in that area. Forget it I want that Doctor to know I paid full price and expect him to do a really good job!” It made me laugh but also helps to illustrate the point. Beyond wanting the doctor to know that you are rewarding him for his services by paying full price I also think I prefer to know that doctor’s history. I want referrals on Yelp or other sites from happy customers. Buying a deal with Groupon sometimes you can get caught up in the “deal” aspect of it and forget that you don’t know a thing about this particular doctor.
So I would love to hear your thought would you buy a medical procedure off Groupon? Or what things would you not buy from Groupon?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I bought a Groupon for laser hair removal & am having a great experience. BUT I did my research on the place before purchasing it & bought the least expensive option so that if it was a flop I was only out a $125 or so (not like, $1000!).
I think if you are going to take advantage of one of these daily deals for something that is a significant investment (be it flying lessons, medical procedures, or whatever) you really need to do your due diligence & research the company first.
I don’t understand why they would be “irritated” if they knew you came in to redeem a Groupon. The business had to put the deal out there, so why would they be upset about it? If they didn’t want to bring in customers that might not normally use them, they wouldn’t have listed the deal in the first place.
If you haven’t run across this experience yourself then I am happy for you. But what I have found that what has happened to me before is the Groupon contract has been made by maybe a business manager who then forgets to tell the rest of the employees or people within the business to expect people to come in ready to redeem their Groupons. I have actually been told “So let me get this straight you want me to give you $50 worth of food and drinks just for handing me this piece of paper?” It makes the customer feel embarrassed and really could have been avoided by just having the people within the business communicate better. I can tell you I left that business thinking I will not be coming back here again. Which is quite the opposite reaction I am sure the initial person that set up the Groupon contract was hoping for.
Bottom line is I don’t think some companies know to expect Groupon redeeming customers.
I’ve used a lot of Groupons and they’ve all been quite polite and happy that they got a new customer, especially since I am fairly new to the area I live in. It sounds more like an individual customer service issue but maybe it’s a regional thing.
I’ve also had a few less than stellar experiences using a voucher from a daily deal site. I think often times the companies get overwhelmed by the response & don’t realize they will likely lose some money in the beginning. The idea of these are that they are loss leaders though, so if the company provides great service, they could gain new customers.
Often, businesses don’t think it through, though. Luckily, I’ve had more good than bad experiences redeeming my vouchers!
Abby,
I read an article a while back on how Groupon doesn’t offer the same rates as other companies such as Living Social. So once it’s all said and done, they profit less. Leaving the company with a less than poor taste for the experience.
I buy a lot of these deals but like the reader above said, I do my homework and never spend on the pricey stuff. Always the waxes and food or other “salon” services. You’re right! I would not want to have my eyes messed with. Yikes! Luckily I’ve had good experiences so far but it’s so true that sometimes the staff is totally unaware. You come in to renew your voucher and all of a sudden you feel like you’re a “burden” to them.
Great post!