I simply don't understand. Does anybody understand?

lord henry on 25/06/2012 - 00:47

While I have yet to have a bad experience, there seems to be an abundance of businesses that don't hesitate to treat customers with coupons poorly.
Selling the things and then treating the buyers poorly strikes me as almost business suicide.
Surely they realise that when people have a bad experience, they tell everyone who will listen about it - and selling coupons is an exercise in advertising.

Do many of the restaurants/other businesses that do so manage to stay open? I know that at least where I live there are so many places to eat that a bad reputation can kill a business very very quickly.

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  • maldrat on 25/06/2012 - 07:55

    Restaurant owners are dumb?

  • h4lcyon on 25/06/2012 - 09:16
    +1

    Some of the businesses are already struggling because of their 'great customer service' and probably see these coupons cheap wins.

  • SirFlibbled on 25/06/2012 - 15:16

    I think it's multiple things. Running a business does not mean you are good at business and many of these places might see the vouchers as a great way to get cashflow (which it can be).

    Other places think of it as a way to advertise (and clearly have not done research). They then get slammed with customers and realise how much money they're losing and try to limit their exposure by retroactively changing the terms and conditions.

    These types of deals are great for a business to generate cash flow in slow periods. EG a massage parlour where you can only use the voucher Monday - Weds before 3pm and limited to 300 vouchers. At least customers know of the restrictions when buying, the business isn't slammed by customers trying to book etc.

    You still will run into lots (and I mean lots) of people who will try to book at the last minute (couple of weeks before expiry) and the place is fully booked by then.

  • woz on 25/06/2012 - 17:08
    +2

    "at the last minute (couple of weeks before expiry)"..? A couple of weeks isn't exactly last minute. But when there's no bookings available even a couple of MONTHS prior to expiry, then there's no excuse. But does groupon or similar give a damn? No way! They've got their commission, and that's all they care about. Anyone who uses these group discount sites without a healthy dose of scepticism needs their head read.

    • SirFlibbled on 25/06/2012 - 19:50

      A couple of weeks is last minute when 40% of the voucher users are all trying to use their vouchers and got in before you. If a business can take say 100 customers a week and sell 500 vouchers for a redemption period of 16 weeks. There's plenty of slots for everyone. If 200 people wait until the last week to book in, suddenly you have a problem.

      If they're full up months before expiry then you have every right to get a refund IMO.

      • woz on 25/06/2012 - 21:58

        Using your example: If a business can take say 100 customers a week… there's plenty of slots for everyone. If 200 people wait until the last TWO WEEKS to book in, and they can accommodate 100 PER week, there's no problem, and it's NOT last minute. Or are you suddenly changing the definition of 'last minute' from two weeks to only one week?

        • SirFlibbled on 26/06/2012 - 13:30

          Seeing it's all fake number, make it 300 people in the last week then if it makes you happy. Point being if more people have vouchers than available slots because many waited until the last couple of weeks to book, there's going to be some seriously annoyed people.

        • woz on 26/06/2012 - 17:29
          +2

          Hey, it was YOUR example. Don't blame me if it didn't add up.

  • sparkles on 25/06/2012 - 17:21
    +2

    Basically, I'm pretty sure they are hoping you buy the coupon but never turn up. It's probably sold to them that there is always a certain % of no shows ie. free money. And when you do turn up or try to book, well you are a pain in the bum and not a full paying customer! So they treat you as such.

    • baker bob on 31/07/2012 - 14:07

      The group buying sites keep the money until the restaurant presents the voucher so no shows = profit for group buying sites

  • baker bob on 31/07/2012 - 14:13

    Many restaurants view us as discount voucher holders and nothing more, hence the comment "what do you expect for $xx" and the attitude

    However we go to the restaurant expecting what is advertised, a $150 meal or whatever the deal is.

    This gap in expectation is the main issue I find. I totally agree though, Restaurants are shooting themselves in the foot by treating us like crap, I have hammered every bad experience in eatability reviews and will continue to do so, don't advertise a $150 meal if that isn't what you are going to provide. The market is way too saturated for you to be treating diners like crap.

    Most places that offer vouches are also struggling financially which isn't any wonder.

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