Website of the week: www.groupon.co.uk

By FRED MAWER
Updated:

Rating: 3 Star Rating

Group-buying websites are a big new thing in the online world, and Groupon, which started in Chicago back in 2008 and is now operating in three dozen UK cities, is the best known.

Here's how it works. A deal is advertised on the website in each city every day.

Many deals are for meals out and beauty treatments, but I can also see a nighttime visit to London Zoo, a lesson on making cupcakes, paintballing, a falconry experience, a spa break in a posh Scottish hotel. 

Groupon website

Too good to be true?: Groupon offers significant discounts

Most deals are on offer on that day only - a digital clock counts down to show how much time is left to get them. Also, most deals require a minimum number of people to sign up to them.

If you want the deal, you click 'buy now', and hand over your credit card details. If enough people have committed,  the money is taken, and you're emailed back a voucher (a Groupon), which you can redeem with, say, the beauty salon or restaurant.

There's normally a set period in which you have to do this, which might be within the next couple of months.

Strengths

Some deals can be really big money savers. For example, a tasting menu for two in Les Trois Garçons, a posh French restaurant in London, is offered through Groupon for £50.80 - it would normally cost you £124. Deals can be given away - so are potentially good Christmas presents.

The deals are well presented, with a list of highlights and the terms and conditions - such as when you need to use the voucher - are very clear. 

Weaknesses

The savings are sometimes overstated. For example, a diving course near Brighton is available with Groupon for £75 - 'you save £175' says Groupon. But the dive company's own website is advertising deals for the same package from £99.

There are too many health and beauty deals for my liking. In my home town of Bath, the deal today - for colonic hydrotherapy - is not exactly my kind of thing.

Also, a deal you're interested in can end up being sold out once a certain number of people have signed up for it.

Ratings

Inspiring 2/5
Useful 4/5
Easy to use 4/5

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