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Author: Kalicia Bateman

LAST UPDATED: March 25th, 2022

Groupon has been operational since its launch in December 2006. For the past 8 years, their goal has been to provide consumers and merchants a mutually beneficial site by working with vendors to offer discounts in order to drive more traffic to businesses. They offer a large selection of product categories for consumers with a large percentage of potential savings. Their platform allows customers to purchase virtually any product anywhere.

Top Ranked Companies

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The Good

  • Large selection of deal categories
  • High percentage of potential savings
  • Great return policy
Groupon works with a large number of vendors to bring great value to their customers. Consumers will find over 50 categories to search for savings. They offer 4 main categories which include local deals, goods, getaways, and clearance as well as coupons specific to certain businesses such as department stores and travel sites. Each main category includes a list of sub categories. Consumers can search for virtually any service from restaurants to clothing stores. Planning a vacation? Consumers can search Groupon's database for deals on cruises, hotels, and more. Consumers who use Groupon have the potential to obtain up to 90% in savings. Groupon offers deals that provide a percentage off of a service or a dollar amount that can be put towards a purchase. Many of the coupons include the option to choose whether to redeem a discount online or in the store. Groupon uses what they call the 'Groupon Promise' when handling returns. They promise consumers who have used a local Groupon voucher before its promotional value expired, took a Getaway trip, or attended a GrouponLive event and were disappointed with their experience that they can contact Groupon within 14 days and they will work with the consumer to make it right. Each type of service also has a no hassle refund policy: • Local Deals: A voucher may always be redeemed from the merchant for at least the total amount the consumer paid for it. Unredeemed vouchers may be refunded if returned within 3 days. • Getaways: Purchases may be refunded if the merchant is unable to book your stay during the dates specified by the voucher. Vouchers that have passed the book-by date may be used as credit with the merchant. • Goods: Any item may be returned within 14 days of delivery on Groupon.
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The Bad

  • Difficult to find contact information
  • Limited years of experience
Groupon's website can be difficult to navigate when searching for customer service help. It is very difficult to find contact information via Groupon's website. The only contact information for customer service provided is a website. Only consumers who are members of Groupon are able to access the link necessary to contact customer service. This may make it difficult for some individuals to gain information and access certain questions without committing to become a member with Groupon. Groupon has been a company for 8 years. While this is a decent amount of time in business, some other deal sites reviewed have been around for 10 or more years. This gives other companies more experience in working with customers and providing savings.
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The Bottom Line

Groupon offers customers a wide selection of products and services at incredibly discounted prices. Their platform allows customers the flexibility to find deals locally as well as nationwide that they can obtain from virtually anywhere. Their lack of transparency when providing contact information may make it difficult for some individuals to fully utilize their website. However, for those who are willing to join Groupon as a member, they provide an excellent resource for obtaining savings.
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Star Rating

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2.9

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584 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

32%

4 grade

14%

3 grade

4%

2 grade

6%

1 grade

44%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

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Quality

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Service

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meryl Newport News, VA

I ordered an e gift and 100 times checked the email and the recipient never received it so I had to print it and mail it. I accidentally ordered something and realized it right away so I "cancelled" it but it took several days to get it reversed. Today I saw a reminder email on an "exclusive" by invite only offer for Uber, which is my son's only way to get to work at the moment and costs him $50/day so I thought GREAT I'll get one. One was apparently the only option. I was ordering it for him and checking out and hit an incorrect button that booted me out. I went right back in and it now says SOLD OUT. My thing is if it's an invite only deal and you are only allowed 1 per member why would you not have enough to cover your invites??

6 years ago

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Marc San Jose, CA

I never had an issue with Groupon but recently I purchased an item using Groupon but the item was actually bought through GrouponStores. I tried to cancel this item the day I purchased it. Their return website was not working. I went on the chat site and was told that I was pass the 2 hr limit to cancel . So when item came it took a lot of time and energy to get the UPS "return Label". Finally I did receive it and worked with the on-line chat person who did refund all my money once I proved that UPS delivered the item back to their warehouse. I would be very careful when purchasing through Groupon to make sure who you are actually purchasing from.

8 years ago

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Gennifer Woods Orange Park, FL

Since they don't have a phone number, I E-mailed them inquiring on how to transfer back a gifted groupon because my father didn't know how to use it, making it useless for him because he went to the event already. It took them a few days to even respond the first time so I E-mailed again asking if they received my inquiry, they asked me all my information like card number, how much the charges were for, how the charges appeared on our statements, etc. They originally stated that if the groupon is in my fathers name that I couldn't be the one to transfer it back. Other E-mails, they kept copy and pasting instructions from their site saying things like, in order to gift someone a groupon you must do steps.... but that wasn't my inquiry.. If I wanted a solution that I could find on the website, I know how to read. I got 10 E-mails in before finding out that I could speak to someone in a live chat, got the issue situated within about 5 minutes. Every single E-mail I received was from a different representative, literally, and I had to re-explain my issue every single time because I guess they don't keep records of conversations or don't read the E-mail to really understand what the exact problem is. I replied through my original inquiry, therefore, replying to every past E-mail, but I guess they don't know how to look back at previous conversations.. it took about 2 weeks to resolve a problem that took only 5 minutes in a live chat, ridiculous. The groupon is about to expire as well, such a waste of time. I only gave 3 stars because I haven't had a problem with the actual groupons, yet.

8 years ago

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Karen Martin Jonestown, PA

I have purchased 2 items for delivery from Groupon. 1 was broken and had to be returned(they offered to replace and I declined).... and the other they sent in the wrong color....They refuse to fix this and the only option they gave me was to return for a refund(which they said will take a month) And reorder the item to have another delivered. Why do I have to fix their mistake??? I doubt it will order any products from them again. I have purchased coupons for local businesses from them and always been happy with that. And that is the only reason I gave them 3 stars. But I would not recommend purchasing items for delivery. For me... 2 items ordered and problems with both and on top of that Groupon refusing to correct their mistake....not a good track record!!! I'm no happy!!!

8 years ago

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Rodney Sondergeld

I have spent thousands of dollars on Groupon over many years and have had only ONE COMPLAINT in this time. I purchased a fitbit Smart Braclet recently and was not happy with it so I rang up about it and was told to take a photo or video of the item which surprised me as I was wondering how you take a photo of an item that does nort work. I have now deleted the Groupon aap and have purchased my last item from Groupon as I was disappointed in the response I received. Rodney Sondergeld.

7 years ago

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David Pollock

My experience with groupon hs been good up to now!!! But I bought a mattress and saw they still had my old address I tried to put my new address in but it would not let me ho it did not let me know it was still my old address till after I paid for the mattress went to change the address would not let me to cut it short I had to phone them at over £3 a minute and you get all these tutorials and then you were told to wait while they do this and do that so I think the call has cost me in the region of 40 something pounds disgusting

7 years ago

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Mel wads Virginia Beach, VA

When trying to redeem coupons I'm finding it difficult for the company to do adequate work or so times even return calls to make an appt. when Customer Service tries to contact these vendors unsuccessfully & they have to refund the Groupon the vendors should be removed so that others don't repeatedly buy group one for services which are ultimately unavailable or of ver poor quality.I have had this happen with the last three vendors I've purchased.

8 years ago

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Blake Wilcox Salt Lake City, UT

My fiance and I use groupon a lot and we love how many different deals you can get on there. Their app is really easy to use and the filters make it simple to find exactly what you are looking for. However, beware that when you buy some of the things on groupon you can't use it for the first 24 hours. So be careful when you present you groupon if you just bought it a few hours before going to restaurant.

9 years ago

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Herman PARNES Staten Island, NY

Not all items are what they seem to be. The dumplings maker is said to be steel. It is aluminum. The small size is too small to make a proper dumpling. I sent mine back and ordered the large size. That is not long enough to press a dumpling unless you use two steps. A waste of time. Bottom line use a fork to seal the dumpling.

8 years ago

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Aimie brown

I ordered a peppa pig inflatable peppa pig play mat. The item is fantastic but the only let down is filling it up with water. The bit where you put water in is very tricky because it’s such an awkward hole and you have to stick your finger in it to keep the water in.

8 years ago

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Julia Halliday Pleasant Grove, UT

I enjoyed using the Groupon app. It made it easy to find good deals on just about everything you could think of. The deals were extremely good deals too! I had great success when I was looking for good deals for group dates. I would recommend checking a week or two in advance for good deals on things like group dates, because some of the deals I found expired too soon.

7 years ago

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ally blackhurst Pleasant Grove, UT

I have only used groupon a few times and for the most part it’s really helpful. It is nice being able to find a coupon or promo code online when I am shopping on the internet. I wouldn’t say that it is the greatest thing ever though. There are a lot of coupon websites out there and honeslty there’s not much difference between groupon and the others.

7 years ago

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Stephanie Brinton Lindon, UT

Groupon has some amazing deals. I have mostly used them at restaurants and for recreational activities. The biggest problem I have is the expiration date. I can't always find a deal when I need it and then I have to use it before it expires. They are easy to use and the site it great to keep everything organized. I have never had an issue using a groupon.

8 years ago

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Lindsey American Fork, UT

Groupon's mobile app can be so temperamental sometimes...it has a hard time (at least for me) to find things in my area. I can find better deals elsewhere anyways, so it doesn't bother me that much!

8 years ago

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Jason Brown Lehi, UT

The deals used to be useful but then I would get way too many emails and eventually unsubscribed. I felt like the types of offers I was getting were not relevant to what I was shopping for. If I knew that they would customize to me more effectively I would resubscribe.

7 years ago

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Matthew Carbaugh Herndon, VA

I was excited when I first started using groupon since it did seem like there were so many great deals to take advantage of. I soon found that the app just encourages mindless scrolling to for stuff you dont need. If you save 40% on buying something you had no intent of buying before looking at groupon you are not saving money you are spending it!

7 years ago

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Lindsey A Brown Lehi, UT

Wish I could find better deals on Groupon. Seems to be over saturated with so many companies that it's hard to find deals in my area. Lots of random deals that most people most likely won't ever use.

7 years ago

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Linda Beth Denver, CO

Once you get a hold of customer service, it's a great experience. I give it a 3 because you can't get a hold of Customer Service easily.

7 years ago

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jessica Mesa, AZ

Groupon is good for things you want to go do, but I am leery with purchasing with them from a previous experience. There customer service is not up to par either.

7 years ago

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Maryayb Draper, UT

I have bought several of these and have used most of them. I do not appreciate the items that are sexually explicit in the feed as sometimes my kids got onto the site.

8 years ago

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Terri Tilsner

I purchased an allergy test from groupon. The company was difficult to deal with and not helpful at all.

8 years ago

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Savanna Saratoga Springs, UT

Hard to navigate and it’s easy to get overcharged or pay the wrong way. Their customer service is great at troubleshooting though!

7 years ago

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anonymous Pleasant Grove, UT

I have used Groupon for getting some good deals, but found out later that some companies offer the same deals through their web site.

7 years ago

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Jacob Sandy, UT

Good work and isnredeemable by lots of places. Never had a problem but sometimes it doesn’t fulfill what I need.

8 years ago Edited September 14, 2021

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Cynthia phiri

Ordered a quilt set and on opening had blood stain on it

8 years ago