Why I'm Shunning Groupon

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The main theme of this article was stated right here: "Here's why I'm not interested: I don't want a daily temptation to spend money I should probably be saving."
I wonder if Newman doesn't use a credit card either, like many get-out-of-debt gurus advocate, because they make buying too much stuff so easy. I use my credit card as a glorified debit card and pay it off at the end of the month. I only buy what I can afford. I don't know and don't care what my interest rate is, because I don't depend on it.
The key to living is to use everything in moderation. I've been using shopping deal sites years before Groupon came around. I'd be broke if I went after after every deal I saw. It's even more frustrating when see a better deal 6 months later. It's easy to become a shopaholic if you get a high every time you buy something on sale. There are those unfortunate people that have that compulsion.

Jimmy of MD 5:32PM June 13, 2011

While some businesses have used online volume couponing successfully, it is far and away the most dangerous marketing tactic that I have seen in my 15+ years as an Internet marketer. We have just finished a 5-part series on our blog exploring couponing, Here is the link if you are interested - http://www.406strategies.com/?p=3211

John Audette of OR 2:02PM May 07, 2011

Daily deal sites are here to stay...the next big site on the horizon is Livingsocial.com. I haven't had much experience with these sites, but I've read of people getting burned because companies wouldn't honor the coupons.
Diane
http://www.savingsmania.com/
Savingsmania.com

Diane of OH 11:01AM April 11, 2011

walk into every town shop look what you whant to have end remeber prices always a lot of lookalike products better quality worse quality hype prices etc. etc. the way of plaing it get the best product for the cheapest price end the brand name doesn't matther only the quality service.

Arjen Simon Scheer of NY 10:30AM April 11, 2011

What! Be responsible for our own actions without blaming someone (or something) else! What an original idea.

awakeandsurvive of GA 9:31AM April 09, 2011

Of course the main purpose of retail is to separate consumers from money they'd otherwise put in the bank. They're a business selling stuff. You seem to be suggesting that:
1) Businesses have a responsibility to act in the interest of people who can't resist the temptation to buy their products, or
2) The people who can't resist temptations to buy should protect themselves by "shunning" marketing tools.
Both of those suggestions are absurd. The solution - if there is even a problem - is for people to take responsibility for their own actions.
I check Groupon everyday. I rarely buy anything from it. I also save money in the bank.
It's called will power.

Mike 11:43AM April 06, 2011

We have created a new form of Social Media..one that has area purpose and provides jobs to virtually anyone from anywhere. Take a look at teenpalz.com and let us know what you think.

Anne Leedom of CA 9:39AM April 06, 2011

Groupon is destroying both the retail market and the merchants. The merchants haven't figured out that they are helping to write their own demise by doing groupons. Merchants are enabling the 50% off mentality which attracts 50% off buyers that will not provide enough revenues and profits for most businesses to survive. Buyers buy to satisfy the compulsion to buy because it is 50% off. Groupon has brought two entities together of which neither can afford to do a groupon.
What I can't understand is why Groupon is being valued at $25 Billion using a business model that can't sustain itself in the long term. The country is trying to resolve the budget to keep the doors open and reduce spending across the board and Groupon's business model is to motivate people to over spend on frivolous things and get even deeper in debt.
The question is how long before these two forces create a monumental train wreck? What will be the actual trigger that causes the next Social.com Crash. History does have a tendency to repeat itself. Will the government have to bailout Groupon because they were to big to fail?

Carl Ruzycki of CA 4:20AM April 06, 2011

Coupon shopping should be serious business to? more people in this economy, new thing is collective buying check for the website "Printapons"

cheryleluna of TX 1:26AM April 06, 2011

You're generally right, I think. We happen to be doing ok, saving for emergencies and retirement. But I also see people who've worked hard their whole life, retire, get cancer a year later and never get to enjoy retirement. Anecdotal, yes, but I think you have to strike a balance between frugality and actually living a life for now. We only get one (as far as you know).
As a side note, I read about how bad off so many people are now, but yet I see new cars and people driving them using new smart phones (with the high monthly charges) all over, so I wonder how bad it really is. Or put another way, I think it has to get a lot worse for it to shake up more people into changing their ways.

Jeff of AZ 11:32AM April 05, 2011