Voupons - New Site - Not quite a daily deal site

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Voupons

• 

  Pumpkin_rrr on 17/10/2012 - 08:58

  Interesting… I just received a SMS from them/you. How did they/you get my mobile number??

  • 

    Store RepWarrenjc @ Voupons on 17/10/2012 - 10:32

    Hi Pumpkin
    Without knowing specifics (phone number etc) I can't provide an accurate answer, and I won't give you guesses.
    If you like you can email me [email protected] so we can investigate the matter and provide you accurate accountability of opt in channels.
    Sincerely
    Warren

  • 

    Ughhh on 21/10/2012 - 15:47

    I received a SMS from them too, on a number that I only use for possibly-dodgy/spammy websites.
    Some other website is probably selling our phone numbers to them!

    • 

      voteoften on 21/10/2012 - 21:38

      And they are using them. Equally bad. Without customers, these "dealers" wouldn't exist.

    • 

      Store RepWarrenjc @ Voupons on 24/10/2012 - 11:18

      You mention you only use the number for websites? Did you enter in the number via Voupons website and receive a voucher via SMS?

      • 

        Ughhh on 24/10/2012 - 12:07

        Nope, never heard/been to Voupons before.

      • 

        Store RepWarrenjc @ Voupons on 24/10/2012 - 12:19

        OK, my email address is in the reply to Pumpkin above. Does seem to be an issue that needs addressing. I can only offer my apologies and we definitely need to look into the matter.

        Thanks

        Warren

• 

  SirFlibbled on 17/10/2012 - 09:30

  So basically you're hot dockets but without the dockets.

  Not that it's a bad thing.

  • 

    Store RepWarrenjc @ Voupons on 17/10/2012 - 10:51

    Hi SirFlibbled
    Thanks for the question.
    I checked out Hotdockets and their model is for the shopper to pre-purchase dockets (as far as I can tell without signing up to them)
    Voupons does not require shoppers to pre-purchase anything through our site.
    The platform is designed to enable shoppers to receive the offer on their phone by punching in their mobile number via the website, at which point an SMS with the details of the coupon is sent to their phone, along with contact details of the merchant, exp date etc
    Or, a shopper can download the Voupons App and access the offers that way. (iPhone only at this point but Android is pretty close to being released)
    Then its just a matter of redeeming the coupon at the point of sale. Voupons doesn't get involved with the transaction between the shopper and the merchant, so you pay them directly.
    Or, if the shopper doesn't want to do either of those, they can simply print the coupon from the website and redeem it at the point of sale.

    I know you guys are looking for great deals (you wouldn't be here otherwise) so we are definitely open to receiving feedback and suggestions of business types and deals you would like to see in your area, if that's your thing :)

    We then pass that feedback on to the merchant and negotiate a significant discount. That's the plan.
    Cheers
    Warren

    • 

      SirFlibbled on 17/10/2012 - 11:15

      Wasn't really a question, just a statement.

      Unless they've changed their business model you could just go to the website and print out a dockets, take the voucher to the store and use them (or get the coupon on the back of a shopper docket and use it that way). They just made their money through charging the advertiser a fee for publishing the coupon.

      As I said, there's nothing wrong with having a similar business model and I like the idea of having it SMSed to your phone. Saves on paper. You might want to consider investigating using passbook on iphones as a model as well.

      • 

        Store RepWarrenjc @ Voupons on 17/10/2012 - 14:23

        Great that you like the idea of getting the voucher on your phone.

        When you mentioned hot dockets I landed on shopping.hotdockets.com.au hence my response. (prepay C/C)

        Hot-dockets and shopadockets are one and the same. I've always known them as shopadocket

        shoppingHotdockets- pre-purchase
        Group Buy- Pre purchase
        Shopadocket- standard print option from website.

        Voupons- No prepurchase, Voucher via SMS, iPhone App or print. Price point-aiming at group buying without the negatives to either shopper of merchant.

        Good suggestion on the passbook on iPhones model, it's above my pay-grade but looks like it may be something worth exploring. I'll pass it on to IT.

        Thanks for your input SirFlibbled.

        Cheers

        Warren

• 

  voteoften on 19/10/2012 - 22:32

  Who pays you guys?

  • 

    SirFlibbled on 21/10/2012 - 22:41

    I'd assume like Shopper Docket people they'd likely pay a one time payment to advertise for a specified time period.

    • 

      voteoften on 22/10/2012 - 00:36

      I assumed so too, but they really seem to be skirting around what they actually do and act like it is something completely new.

      They did say "The business listed don't pay any commissions either, so when you deal with a Voupons business, you shouldn't be dealing with a stressed out owner." I don't necessarily know whether there is a connection.

      It all seems to be deflection rather than plain talking.

      • 

        Store RepWarrenjc @ Voupons on 24/10/2012 - 11:16

        Why would you think it is skirting voteoften? If you are a consumer it is free to use. You can get the voucher sent to you via SMS, print it out (yes like shopadocket) or download the iPhone app get it sent to your phone as soon as the voucher goes live and save it to your favourites. Follow the instructions to redeem (make a booking etc) show the voucher details on your phone and you have a great bargain.

        If you are a business there are costs involved (Voupons is after all a business)if a business operator wishes to list on Voupons.

        The point is, from a consumer perspective, and considering Voupons aims to provide price points similar to groupbuying, there is no need to pre-purchase a voucher, wait for it to be emailed to you, print it out, and compete with hundreds of other consumers who have financially invested in a voucher.

        With Voupons, you are not financially investing in a voucher. It is free to use (for the consumer)

        There have been horror stories with businesses (and consumers) with the groupbuying model. We intend to provide a model that provides similar pricepoints without the drawbacks.

        Hope that clarifies.

        Thanks

        Warren

      • 

        Store RepWarrenjc @ Voupons on 24/10/2012 - 14:06

        "I don't necessarily know whether there is a connection."
        Part 2 (and I do appreciate your input voteoften because it allows me the opportunity to clarify)

        Only 8.1% of businesses that have undertaken a daily deal would do it again. (source powerretail.com.au)

        Take this scenario

        A business operator is offering up to % off their ticket item, AND awaiting payment from the daily deal site. That means they are also covering the upfront costs associated with providing their goods or services.

        Say a ticket item is $100 and they offer a 50% discount. Daily deal takes 50% commission on the $50. The merchant receives $25. The merchant covers the upfront costs (product, wages etc.)and receives the 25% at the end of the month. The deal receives 400 responses. The merchant is a single operator beauty salon or independent restaurant. It has to carry on business to its regular customers that pay on the spot. In the cases of "do it or die" who do you think might have trouble getting what they paid for?

        Small bricks and mortars WILL be stressed. I know I would be.

        How do you know as a consumer, prior to entering your credit card details to purchase a piece of paper that entitles you to a discount, that the merchant has taken all factors into consideration? You don't, and that is why you see the stories of vouchers that cannot be redeemed due to various reasons, inc the merchant going under. 6 months of emails to the daily deal site, and you should get your money back.

        That being said, there are some great success stories, however the merchant does need to be aware of all the inherent risks prior to proceeding (it's a case of buyer-or merchant-beware).

        Our model has none of those risks as the consumer pays the merchant directly at the point of sale.

        Thanks

        Warren

• 

  voteoften on 25/10/2012 - 02:45

  Okay, here's some input.

  I went to your home page. There are, apparently, pages and pages of vouchers. This first one on the home page is one that reads: "OFFER: Win an iPad or iPhone with Hairdressers on the Move. Simply be one of the first 50 to book with Nadia in Blacktown, Lana in Campbeltown or Rosie " No way would I do anything to win an ipad from such a business. The thumbnail for the business looks crappy. I doubt the contest would be legitimate just based on the look of the thumbnail. I'm having to change salons and make an appointment with one of two stylists who obviously can not get work any other way, just on the chance that the contest will be fair AND that I will win. This sort of offer degrades your business.

  Some of your other offers looked like they might be okay, so I went to check Perth. Not one offer in a 50km radius of the CBD. Maybe you could highlight what cities you are "coming soo" to, so that it doesn't piss us off.

  At least you have separated the online offers. Thank Christ for that because there are over 50 of them and I would not want to page through looking for a Perth offer.

  So I guess I am saying, good job on separating the crappy merchandise offers from true local offers and watch out for suspect offers like the win a free ipad. All you need is some pissed off user complaining to the dept of fair trading about a dodgy offer. It doesn't matter if you are guilty or even if you are liable. Once the regulatory pricks get you in their sights, they may go through everything with a fine toothed comb and it'll also waste your time. So, stay away from shitty offers. Just don't accept them.

  • 

    Store RepWarrenjc @ Voupons on 25/10/2012 - 10:49

    Re: Hairdressers on the Move:
    It is a valid promotional avenue and can be used with their other offer of 50% off second treatment i.e. book in with a friend and receive 50% off your treatment. They are mobile and service Sydney. Agreed, the free iPhone/iPad offer is not going to be suitable for everyone. You are right in watching out for non legitimate offers, and we have undertaken due diligence to ensure the offer from Hairdressers on the Move is legit. It is.

    Good point on the "coming soon" and that has been forwarded to IT. Believe me, your input as a potential subscriber carries a lot of weight. We are currently focused on developing the east coast, but in saying that we have received expressions of interest from Perth and Adelaide based business and will be developing those area in due course. It is a matter of timing.

    Separating the online section did make sense, and I'll include we should have a separate search function for that section based on category. Development takes time and feedback.

    Very good point of the Office of Fair Trading. We are acutely aware of the potential for things to go pear shaped.

    As we progress I'll be letting the Ozbargain site users know of significant discounts for various bricks and mortar businesses. Limited to one a week at this point.

    If anyone wants to bypass visiting the Voupons website you can download the App (iPhone only-Android platform has been delayed but due for release soon) set your category, set the distance you wish to receive alerts (or turn alerts of altogether) and just use that.

    Thanks voteoften, good input.

    Warren

• 

  crimson23 on 30/10/2012 - 23:55

  Interesting idea, but what happens when a business receives 500 people claiming a service, when they could only supply 100? Does your model take this into account? And what if dubious individual decides to send 300 sms to various mobile phones? Who would pay for that?

  I'm researching this more, so please help complete the following (very quick) survey :
  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JYWBY9C

  Thanks,

  Crimson

  • 

    Store RepWarrenjc @ Voupons on 31/10/2012 - 18:15

    -1

    Hi Crimson

    Good questions

    That would be giving up intellectual property and not something that will be posted on an open forum.

    Can you tell me how/if you are associated with sur=veymonkeys and/or mar=kmonitor.com? :)

    Thanks

    Warren