Does anyone else feel that when they use a groupon, that they are treated below standard?
I more often than not, feel like the business treats me like a second or even third class citizen when I'm using a groupon. Examples: when you mention on the phone that you have a groupon, they all of a sudden do not have any available appointments for two months or you go to a restaurant and get lack of or just plain shitty service.

Yup. Its cuz the majority of grouponers don't understand how to tip. 10% off of the groupon total doesn't cut it... so for example a meal worth $100 that you paid $20 for ppl tip $2. Or they assume don't need to tip. Also grouponers tend to go "I would never eat here if werent for my groupon" or "this wasn't worth $100" when they only paid $50.

That is too bad that the shitty tippers ruin it! I am a DAMN good tipper. Too good sometimes!

I also notice that businesses that groupon works with are businesses that have a lot of shitty reviews and on the verge of closing doors. I'm done using groupons now, thank you!!

I think some stores/businesses don't adequately cost out the product or service being offered, or in the case or restaurants, assume people will order booze. They make these offers on the hope of future business, but as Kimberlie L noted, most purchasers of Groupons likely would never have gone to that business without the deal.
That said it is of course in the interest of the business to provide the best experience possible, but naturally they will focus on full price customers first.

I have heard from a friend (whose place of work I will not name) that by offering a Groupon they ended up making below minimum wage, weren't able to fit in their regular customers, got very little repeat business, and the receptionist couldn't handle the amount of calls they got and then got negative reviews here because they "wouldn't answer their phone".
I think often businesses consider signing up with coupon services a mistake.

Also: you might not be one, but cheap people suck.

I don't use Groupon after i bought one at a salon and the guy ruined my hair. Like it was so bad, it was unfix-able for months.
The only exeption i might make is to buy things at a store because the quality of the product would not change.

When I used a Groupon, I felt as though I had to prove I'm still a good person ... I don't really buy them anymore, anyway, as the deals aren't what they used to be and businesses who run them often seem shady.

I agree with most of you here. I've bought plenty of groupon and living social deals. When you make a reservation with a groupon, businesses seem to not care as much as they're supposed to. However... I still tip accordingly and after that they'll usually lighten up and talk to me like a normal customer.. However, I've had some really good experiences with none restaurant related deals. I bought deals for hotels and vacation packs before and those were absolutely perfect! Both price and service quality wise.

@Kimberliee. The problem with poor tipping is that it is a bad habit for people that has only gotten worse with the downturn in the economy. It's like people who do not tip on take out.

I kinda cringe a little inside when a friend tells me they have a coupon. I am never sure what to expect when it comes to service.

It's a really bad circle. People who get groupon want a low budget evening out due to economics. They don't return 'cause of the below standard service  they get from servers. It's in all industries. Large spenders get treated differently, we've all done it and we've all been victims of it.

@ Bridget = I never tip if it's take out. I am not being served, I am picking up my food. If the food is good, timely and with a smile I will leave sometimes with something.

The phrase "I have a coupon" is now the norm with the economy. If you're still ashamed to be around someone who has a coupon than that says more about you than the person using it, just saying.

I would love to know which places offering groupon are worth it as I've never ever seen one that interested me. This only deters me further.

I'm pretty miffed that my mum received sub-par service from Pure Nail Bar when she redeemed the pedicure voucher I got her for Christmas - it's full-priced and paid for ahead of time so there's no excuse for them to treat her unkindly : ( I bought a Groupon for the Regalade Bistro and am curious to see how it will go down!

@Isabelle   Thank you! Thats exactly how I feel!

Joanne, Pure went downhill years ago so I am not surprised. What location did you visit? have  you tried the replacement place in Sogra which I actually like much better? (And they still might have affiliation...not sure about that.)

Anyone know what happened to Loulou luv? Not a groupon but I had an $80 credit I was saving. I swear that I was just there over the summer. "Lou lou" claims to have no affiliation and won't offer it. I find it really sad. The other place was always so nice and I have no idea why I didn't spend it. There was never ever any indication that they were going under, other than the fact that they were always empty and overpriced. Still, $80 was a lot of money to lose for nothing!

A while back there was a groupon for changes lingerie store and I got amazing service and ended up spending well over the value of the groupon and coming back again for more.  I tip on take out but only 10%.

Everything Chauncey said I've seen first hand. People have come to me in tears because they've been coerced or suckered into signing ridiculously unsustainable contracts with these coupon companies. They're usually new businesses or run by rookies. If I worked at some of these places I'd probably hate grouponers. Haha jk.

No really I'd probably hate y'all.

As a small business owner, I'd say that most grouponers have a sampler's mindset rather than that of a buyer's. In other words, they don't necessarily need your product or service, and even if they did, they aren't ready to pay the standard price of it. All of the above qualities make for a very small percentage of return customers. So why go such length to attract non-profiting shoppers? I'd say it's mostly out of desperation as new businesses tend to struggle. Interestingly, once the groupons start to work, business's get overwhelmed and start to cut corners.

I believe it may also be affected by the intention of the business owner. Is giving out a groupon deal meant to promote the business or simply to drive traffic through the door. If the businesses had the intention to build a good reputation for themselves, they would provide good services and at least decent value. If they simply want traffic, then this entire conversation is an example of the results. Weird businesses practices these days...

I believe that the intention was good with business putting out Groupons, however, I think and I can't speak for Groupon personally but may have mis represented to the business the results of signing up with such program.

@ J - This was a few years ago and it was the Kerrisdale location! I'm not surprised they went downhill now that you mention it!

Some businesses do not take into consideration that the groupon customers are all potential future customers... I do agree with most of the comments made here that groupon customers are not always treated as well as a "regular" paying customer but that being said I do remember one of the restaurants I had been to off a groupon (adesso bistro) probably had the BEST service I had received all year!

Other businesses that do sign up for groupon do not take into considerations that they may not be the right business for a groupon. They usually are completely overwhelmed and should really just have put a cap on how many of the coupons should have been sold in the first place so that their regular customers are not driven away when the restaurant is completely booked for a month solid. I personally have enjoyed most of my groupon purchases and the truth is that several business that I had purchased groupons for , I never would have tried them out without an incentive (like a deal!)

I don't even remember that one (pure) but that's too bad. I was last there a couple of years ago. I have a nails list if interested....

I've been treated poorly due to having a Groupon.... More than once. :(

A business using Groupon should use the opportunity to impress the crap out their 'new' clients and generate return business and positive reviews. Instead many do the opposite.

Please don't start the tipping convo AGAIN! Restaurateurs should simply pay their staff fairly.

I bought one once for some exercise classes and they never had any space so I couldn't use it.  I will never buy one again for work out classes etc.

Catherine, I'm glad you mentioned that as I've been tempted to buy in the past but always wondered about that. I did have success with Body Shop once for mediocre products (as far as I can tell;) of things that I didn't need. One and only time....

Friend did a groupon and most of the deal hoopers were a pain. Waste of time and money.

I never tip on takeout as its takeout.  I do tip well when get good service eating in.

Evil thought: would my expired Groupons make good tips?*

* This is not a tipping thread.