Your view - who's to blame the group buy companies or the business offering the service?

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  issh on 25/03/2011 - 19:00

  Do you think these small business' set a "cap" on how many vouchers they sell or do you think its up to the group buy company to decide?

  i thinks its the small businesses

  , I actually wonder how these small business' are making any money at all from these "deals" when they are so heavily discounted anyways.

  they probably make a very small profit, and then try to give good service, so they will have a full paying continuing customer, however, this is rare

  Some business's as seen
  http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/40705
  http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/39468
  have closed down, before the offer expired

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    Tal_Shiar on 25/03/2011 - 19:43

    +2

    the profit margin from those deals would have played a minor role in the business closing down, chances are poor business practises had already cost them significantly.

    There should be a website from each business for each group by site, where the business can refer customers for more clearer terms and conditions that apply to the business that way no one should be getting angry if its not available on saturday, or if they try and book within the last 2 weeks (which seems to be a popular gripe) This way the group buy site wont take them on if its not right by them, the business has a reference for customers and customers can look for catches

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      Scoopon-Buyer Beware on 25/03/2011 - 19:48

      they usually have a section called "the fine print", but the print isnt fine enough for my liking and it ends up leaving way too much open to interpretation. Although I have noticed recently in the fine print they are being clearer in the times that are likely to be available, stating late nights and saturdays will have limited appointments, which is an improvment I guess

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  arcticmonkey on 25/03/2011 - 19:38

  My blame goes towards who I pay, in this case, the group buy companies. I'm not paying the merchant - my funds are going to the group buying companies so I expect good service when/if something goes wrong.

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    Tal_Shiar on 25/03/2011 - 19:45

    that point doesnt make sense when your paying for a voucher

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      StewBalls on 25/03/2011 - 20:56

      +1

      Tell that to FT/ACCC dude! IIRC the buck stops with the organisation that takes your dough!!! ;)

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  leiiv on 25/03/2011 - 23:02

  +2

  I think we should blame ourselves for buying from such companies while knowing their bad reputations!