Groupon: Extra 15% Off Local Events & Activities (+ LAST Day for Extra 15% Off Health & Beauty Deals)
Looking for something fun to do with the kiddos or your hubby!? Today and tomorrow only, Groupon is offering up an additional 15% off Local Events and Activities when you use the promo code PLAY15 at checkout (up to a $50 discount)! This is the perfect opportunity to get out of the house and do something fun with the family!
Also, through today only, don’t forget that you can save an extra 15% off ALL Health and Beauty Deals with the promo code BEAUTY15 at checkout (up to a $50 discount). This is a great time to splurge on a relaxing massage, hair removal, spa package, nail treatment, and more!
Thanks for the reminder!
I had looked at Groupon yesterday for pedicure deals and made a call to a salon to make sure that they could get me in for an appointment for when I want one before purchasing. The salon had availability so I booked an appointment and the person asked me if I had already purchased my Groupon. I responded no, and she asked me not to purchase it and said she would honor the same price in the salon.
What do others think about this? I feel like she’s using Groupon for free advertising and doesn’t want the company to get their cut. I purchased my groupon for the service today anyway and used the 15% off code. I was on the fence about whether I was going to honor her request or not…
Same thing happened to me! Exact story, I really din’t think much of it, it was for a hair blow dry for back to back weddings and my budget was running low, I just needed the discounts. I wonder how much Groupon does get?
Good question. I probably would have just bought from the business. You know, supporting local businesses and all that. Doesn’t Groupon take 50+%?
I’ve experienced something similar, but never really thought about it at the time. I purchased a groupon for a haircut. I was texting the stylist about my appt and she had asked me if I already purchased or not (I had). Not sure how I feel about going “behind” groupon’s back for free advertising though…
I’ve had at least two salons ask me this too. I think small businesses need the money more than Groupon and I do not find this practice dishonest in any way. I doubt they signed anything which said they cannot offer their own discounts.
I’ve thought about this more since I posted it and I really do think this is dishonest. Per Groupon’s business FAQ’s they don’t charge an upfront fee to list a deal with them, rather they get paid a percentage (amount undisclosed on the FAQ’s) of the deals that sell. So if a company puts out a Groupon but then asks customers to not buy it then they are getting free advertising. In my case, I never would go to this salon if I hadn’t looked at Groupon – they are about 10 minutes out of my way.
I like to support local businesses too, however this seems unethical to me. I’m feeling pretty good about my decision to buy the groupon anyway. And it was even cheaper than the salon price since I got my 15% off 🙂
Did you purchase the Groupon because it was the better ethical choice or was the real reason because it was 15% cheaper than the salon’s offer? 🙂
Good point – the additional 15% definitely sweetened the deal for me and made up my mind to purchase it. But even without the additional discount I will purchase the Groupon in the future if that’s how I find out about a deal 🙂