Recent reports have suggested that use of discounts and deal websites such as Groupon are on the decline. Vote in our poll and tell us if you’ve decreased your use of these sites.
For some people, shopping on discount and deal websites has become a part of their everyday life. Groupon, one of the most popular discount websites boasts over 414,000 Facebook fans on their US page and over 82,000 Facebook fans on their UK page. However a report released this week by a research group in Australia reported a 34% fall in “group-buying” transactions on websites such as Groupon.
<a href=”http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/6054345/”>Have you cut down on your use of deals/discount websites?</a><span style=”font-size:9px;”><a href=”http://polldaddy.com/features-surveys/”>Market Research</a></span><br />
Despite its success, Groupon have come under fire since they were founded in 2008 and are currently under investigation from the OFT regarding exaggerating discounts, failing to honour deals and “unfair terms”. Another deals website, Goodypass.com, which was backed by Daybreak presenter Kate Garraway, has been taking steps to stay afloat by making redundances and applying for a Company Voluntary Arrangement, which works in a similar way to an IVA.
Have you cut down on using deal and discount websites this year? Vote in our poll now and have your say.
Personally, I have been unsubscribed from Groupon and other similar sites for a few months now. I found the deals on offer didn’t appeal to me and I felt like I could do without the temptation to buy things I didn’t need. Stories of poor customer service have also made me think twice before purchasing from a deals/discount website.
Here are some other experiences of these websites:
