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mygif

I don’t think the return on Groupon usage is anywhere near 100%, actually — I can’t remember what the exact number is, but it’s a lot closer to 60%, if I recall. Which means that Groupon is an even more outstanding bargain for businesses, because 40% of the Groupons sold are pure profit, just free money. Maybe people like the idea of hiring a photographer or going to a wine bar, but find it hard to schedule and consider the ancillary costs to make it less exciting than it was at the time the Groupon became available*. But Groupon users seem happy, so what the hell? Everyone wins. Especially because that huge amount of up-front cash seems like it could have big benefits to struggling businesses. If I wanted to start a hamburger stand or something, I’d get on that shit immediately, on the principle that if I sold 500 Groupons at $8 a piece, the $4,000 I made off of it would keep me afloat for awhile during my start-up period, even if it meant that I was selling 300-500 half-price burgers for the next year.

Now, if you want a truly ridiculous article in which people soil their pants over Groupon, check out the one from The Atlantic about how Groupon is the new journalism. The Atlantic says that!

–d

*Hey, anyone want in on a can’t-miss website idea? Four words: EBAY FOR UNUSED GROUPONS.

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mygif

Dan: It exists. I forget what it’s called, but there’s a site for selling Groupon (and Living Social, and all those other places) discount things.

The flip is that these businesses are only getting 25 percent of the listed value of whatever item (half of the groupon money goes to groupon and then items are at least half off, so..)

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mygif

My fiance and I are kinda cheapskates (we’re “just starting out”, okay?) and we love Groupon. Like Dan said, I’ve bought restaurant coupons I didn’t find time to use, and I’m guessing I’m not the only one, but we’ve also found out about some great restaurants this way. I think it’s a win-win.

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mygif

What a lot of people don’t know is that you can use your Groupons (Usually) after their expiration date. But then it works just like a normal gift card.

So if it was $10 for $20 worth of whatever and it’s after the expiration date, it becomes $10 for $10. So you’re not out any money (Unless you never go)

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mygif
BackScatter said on January 27th, 2011 at 12:03 pm

The big issue I see here is why did Groupon say “no” to Google’s offer of $6B? Groupon is new and different and could not have existed prior to now — but at the same time the concept is easy as pie for a Google or Facebook or Amazon that have a large customer base to copy and run with. Groupon will regret not taking the money.

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mygif

Groupon really isn’t that great a deal for most businesses. Most of the discounts are so big, they sell the product below cost. What’s more, for services like spa treatments or restaurants, the sudden huge number of customers will – sometimes permanently – drive away regulars.

I’ve seen a few businesses try groupon to very I’ll effect – pissing off clients and employees alike.

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