GrouponReviews 5,284

I've made a few orders with this website, and have not had any issues. It seems the biggest gripe on here is with shipping; each of my orders have arrived in a timely manner. One took about a couple of weeks, but they didn't charge my card until it shipped. When you place the order in the cart, it tells you the expected ship date people! And even then I still get it before then. I'd hate to see this site go under, because of the opportunity to get such quality designer things at (mostly) reasonable prices. One bag I got for half of the retail price, and before I purchased it I did some research on kitson.com, and they were selling the exact same bag at the same time at full price! As far as I'm concerned, they're legit.

In reply to the concerns that it would take so long to administer all of the deals bought - one poster gave the example of 41.5 days to give all of the massages - but I'm not sure if you've ever read the fine print.

The expiration date is usually FAR in the future. These businesses are acknowledging that they're going to have a huge influx of business. For example, today's deal expires April 27. Six months in the future. Six months is actually pretty standard. Assuming that there are, say, four massage matrons on duty. Oh, let's say three, actually. To be on the save side. That's 24 one hour massages that can be administered per day. Assuming they work eight hours a day, they are capable of administering 4320 one-hour massages in six months. Even if we assume that they are taking days off, there's only two massage matrons, they're taking hour loing breaks every day... pretty much any variable, they can still do the one thousand and some odd massages plus any usual customers they have. And they're probably not usually swamped if they're using Groupon. AND this is assuming everyone decides to use their groupon. I'd say at least 100 never get around to it.

I think Groupon has thought this through. Customers do get an excellent deal. I use the site a lot for travel. I'm currently collecting groupons to help us eat cheap on our trip to las vegas. The deals are usually set up where they don't quite cover EVERYTHING for restaurants or store where you'll probably end up spending a little extra which benefits the business. Also, businesses stand the chance of getting regular customers/word of mouth from satisfied customers. It's notoriously expensive to get new customers anyway. I think people's problem with groupon is simply that it's a way of marketing they've never seen before.

All-in-all, I've never had a problem with the site. It's done what the owner says he set out to do which is introduce me to new stuff. I've purchased fitness classes on the site that I'd always wanted to take anyway. I've used it to plan big days out. I've rewarded myself with massages and new hair styles for my weight loss without breaking the bank.

It's unfortunate some people have had difficulties with the site, but overall the system works.

I've only bought one Groupon coupon and I got poor value for money although - to be fair - I got exactly what was promised, no less, no more. The small print of the Groupon Offer needs to be studied very, very carefully as my feeling is that if the offer can be disadvantageous to the punter, it will be.

In my case I paid £28 for a £100 voucher to be used at Boyd's Brasserie in London. It was to cover, for two people, a three course meal and one Cocktail each. When I phoned Boyd's before buying the Groupon voucher I was told that the £100 voucher would be offsettable against the full bill, but in the event it wasn't. The bread, wine, chips and coffee were all extra and cost £30. So, two problems: (1) It wasn't even possible for two people choosing from the menu to spend £100 on a three course meal and a cocktail - so that aspect is a con (2) The total paid for the evening out was almost £60 for decent food and drink but such dreadfull service (our Cocktails arrived at the same time as our first course; our bread arrrived with the second course; etc, etc) that we would never consider returning while there were any other restaurants in the vicinity to try.

Moral: Groupon isn't necessarily bad for you but only buy their coupons with your eyes wide open - and still suspect that you are about to get tucked in some way or other.

As a business owner I am always looking for marketing ideas. Recently, Groupon.com has been featured on the news as the greatest way to expand client base. 2 weeks ago I contacted them via their online form. 2 days later I followed up with an email to their advertising department. No response. A few days later, thinking maybe I made a mistake on the form, I filled out the form wrong. Still nothing. Now 2 weeks later I called and spoke with someone in customer support- they do not allow calls to the sales department. She informed me that someone will be in touch in 4-6 weeks! This is deplorable. They need to understand that if demand increase so too should their capacity. Poor management. Awful execution.

Anyone considering groupon should read these two articles that were written up by sitejabber

http://www.sitejabber.com/blog/2010/10/03/the-pros-and-cons-of-daily-deals/
And
http://www.sitejabber.com/blog/2010/10/06/the-pros-and-cons-of-daily-deals-further-explained/

Then make the decision for yourself being fully informed of what you are getting. I got a decent deal for myself, but I have a friend who just got screwed over by groupon.

I've been an ideeli member for months now. I referred a friend, and got a $25 credit when they purchased something. She said it did take a little while to receive her purchase, but it was clearly marked before she selected her items and paid for them, that it would not be shipped for another 2 weeks. She received her items, as ordered with NO PROBLEMS. I used my $25 credit and made a purchase. It clearly stated before I checked out that the item would not ship for another 2 weeks. I got a notice 2 days later that my item had shipped, and recieved it the VERY NEXT DAY. The item was as I ordered it and I received multiple compliments on it.
I am surprised that so many people are having a bad experience. My same friend also ordered a dress through this site that clearly said no returns, and she had viewed the measurments to make sure she got the right size. Once it came it was clearly too short for her to wear in public and keep her self respect. She called the customer service line, explained that she had checked the measurements, and they allowed her to return the item. I think people reading these comments should keep in mind that normally people don't search for sites to leave comments unless they've had a bad experience. NOT EVERYONE HAS HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE!
A lot of the items you purchase are not returnable and take a while to ship, but it ALWAYS states that before you check out. Keep in mind that you are purchasing designer items at a discounted price, so please understand that they can't just give this stuff away out of the back of a truck.

This marketing focuses on desperate businesses that need customers no matter what. They get the best part of the deal. The businesses who got into the deal end up work for nothing: most of them provide really bad services to start with. The consumer will end up with frustrations because of that. But it is not a scam from the website. For the businesses, it is definitely NOT a good way to attract customer. The best way is to focus on QUALITY. What is the point in getting customers to come in and provide bad quality? Not worth the time wasted. From a consumer perspective, not worth to take these deals. Most services are very very very bad.

I am so grateful for these reviews! Loved the 'deals' but lucky for me nothing caught my eye enough to buy it - then I wanted to check what others were saying and so glad I have - thanks!

Now to anyone having trouble, not receiving orders, not getting a refund and you paid with a c/c - I have a word to remember when you purchase online REVERSE THE CHARGE!

Contact your c/c company, let them know what has happened and have the charges reversed. Stores have to play by the rules just like the rest of us - if they will not return your money the c/c will make sure you do.
Cheers
Sandy

This site seems to be a scam. They offer a deal but then when you try to buy it, the page expires or the system otherwise malfunctions. So, they make the offer but once they reach a certain number they pull the offer. Or maybe no one gets the offer, I don't know since I've never been succesful. It's false advertising. If you contact customer service you get an email saying "I'd be happy to help you." Then you never hear from them again.

I made a purchase from ideeli of two Margaret O'Leary sweaters. There was no problem with the order or with the return of one of the sweaters (for which I got a store credit). The sweater I kept has been disappointing as the linen picked so badly afer one wearing it looks years old. The one I returned was returned because it's construction looked like a factory second.

I then purchased a creme color Da Nang silk tunic to use the credit I had. Again, no problem with the sale. However, upon opening the box (which arrived within the time stated) I was very surprised to see the ugliest color tunic, which resembled the picture in stye (with differences) but is nowhere near the ivory color shown in the picture. In looking back at the order it did say Gold tunic but I just assumed that is what they were calling the ivory color (and if this color is gold it is a very badly burnished dirt/olive/gold).

I didn't write after the first experience but just felt I had to now. So I am again going to have a credit which I will have to use. At $10 shipping every time I order I am now regretting my expereince. My advice - although the site doesn't say it please be aware that you are probably getting factory seconds which are flawed in some way. Either that or you will get an item that is similar to what is shown in the picture, but not necessarily the same. I would not receommend this site to a friend.

I love it! Here's why - it has some really genuine designer stuff, that i won't even look at otherwise, at insanely low prices - thats the bottom line.

But of-course, since nothing comes free, you have to pay for this in other ways
- it charges $10 for shipping, which, in my view, is insane
- it takes ages to reach you. But, the shipping dates are specified next to the product in your cart. And, till date, i have almost always received items before the estimated dates. There was a delay once. But i didn't mind it because ideeli gave me a $10 credit for that.
- Some of the products cannot be returned - again, this is clearly noted next to the product description
- You have only 7 days (from shipping date) to return the item - so you never buy something unless you are sure you'll keep it
-Unless you decide to pay for the membership, lost of cool stuff gets sold out before you get to it
- Your cart is not saved for more than 10 min. Hence, if you thought you could save the cart, fill it up, and then order (and save some shipping costs), it does not work

Despite all this, i have been able to get some really good stuff from there so i am going to go back. Also, in the last year, i have shopped there atleast once a month if not more. With experience, i have gotton better at using the site.