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Sherry
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« on: January 26, 2011, 05:53:06 AM » |
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Have you heard of Groupon? I only started hearing about them recently. In fact, multiple times within a short span of time. I saw a show on them about how Google had tried to buy them out, but they wouldn't take the deal. And supposedly the deal was huge. Also that their growth has been phenomenal within a short period of time. Pretty interesting piece. Next thing I know, a Groupon rep is calling me and asking if I'd like them to highlight my face painting company in my area. Hmmm.... Normally I would have said, no thank you, but seeing the piece on them and how popular and well they were doing made me stop and hear him out. They would offer a coupon of 1/2 off my going rate that would only be available for 24 hours. People could buy it, but only within that short span of time. Then they would have a year to cash their voucher in. Groupon would pay me my part right away, etc. At first, I thought I wouldn't be making a lot of money, but I would get it all upfront and would then need to fulfill the parties as people contacted me. I wasn't sure this was such a good idea (I'm still not). Jacksonville is a huge area and I thought about gas prices, blah, blah, blah. I told him I would think about it and let him know the next day. After thinking about it, I decided not to do it. I just didn't think it'd be worth it. What if 1000 people signed up. Who knew what could happen and then I'd be stuck doing all these practically free parties and crowding out my potentially paying customers. I told him no, but then he said we could limit the amount that could take the deal and only offer it in a small area... my local area, not the entire city of Jacksonville... exposure for my company. So, I decided to give it shot. It's supposed to come out next month. We'll see what happens. I'll try anything once (within reason)  . If it doesn't work out, lesson learned. If it does, bonus. |
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Whitney Myers
Whitney Myers Event Services
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Posts: 80
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« Reply #1 on: January 26, 2011, 10:50:11 AM » |
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I use groupon to buy christmas gifts in advance on a regular basis. I have been very pleased with them, but I will warn you that they have a count listed on the page of how many of each item they sell. It's usually up around the 1000 mark. But I guess if you capped it off, it shouldn't be a problem.
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Party Picassos Facepainting
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« Reply #2 on: January 26, 2011, 10:50:59 AM » |
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It sounds interesting. I am on Group On's email list, so I have BOUGHT some of their
deals. I was wondering how it would work for one of us. Glad that they called you and
you shared your info with us. I will have to give that a thought!
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Sherry
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« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2011, 07:23:21 AM » |
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Yeah, at first it sounded like it'd be unlimited and when I looked at others in Jacksonville that had signed up, they went up to around 1,000 that had taken the deal. These were mostly places like the zoo and restaurants and to them I think they can do that. But me, being one person, I knew it wouldn't be feasible. I could send one of my artists, but because of the price, I'd basically be PAYING customers to have one of my artists come out.
Anyway, when I backed off from the idea, he said they could cap it at 25 and make it my local area, I thought it might work with my 2 biggest worries taken care of... too many taking the deal and the price of gas.
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artsyface
Dreamer
Posts: 7
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« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2011, 11:35:59 PM » |
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Hello!
Its nice to be back on this site! I have been trying to get into Groupon for months. They keep telling me I need to get approved. I am still waiting.. I think it will do well. There is also another called Mamapedia which I am also trying for as well. I would like to know how it goes:) Thanks for the info! I have been in this business for 2 years almost can't believe it!!
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Sherry
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« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2011, 06:18:20 AM » |
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Mamapedia... I'll have to check that one out, I haven't heard of it.
The rep from Groupon said it takes a while to get it up. I think there's a process it goes through that takes 3 weeks or so. He made it sound like it would likely be ready near their end of this month. Still haven't heard anything and now business is starting to pick up.
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Psalmbook
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« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2011, 09:45:22 AM » |
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Sherry, I looked into it & felt the same way as you. We have so many better outlets here in Jax for business that I didn't feel it would be worth it(and their superbowl ad was outright stupid... I've seen real people in real 3rd world countries really starving....). Nope, no business from me.
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Sherry
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« Reply #7 on: February 11, 2011, 12:12:29 PM » |
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I didn't hear about their Superbowl ad. You got me curious, so I looked for it online.
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Psalmbook
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« Reply #8 on: February 13, 2011, 09:21:35 PM » |
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That had this ad making fun of people with nothing to eat in Tibet. My jaw kindof dropped when I saw it. It turned out I wasn't the only one offended by it & they've gotten a lot of flack from it.
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ChaCha
Poet
Posts: 58
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« Reply #9 on: April 24, 2011, 09:43:50 PM » |
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I just saw this post. I did do a groupon for my area. They first told me the same thing, not enough feedback, info on my business, etc. Finally they contacted me from my original request. It ran on a Saturday for 3 days. I offered buy one hour get one free. 95.00 total for the two hours. Groupon collects all monies, and sends you half. So, I rec'd 47.50 for each two hour party. This covered my expenses and traveling. I did charge a $25 travel fee for over 20 miles. Groupon mails you your monies in 3 installments over th 6 month period the groupon was valid. You can set up for how long it expires. You can also dictate how many groupon can sell. I think I said up to 200. We sold 34 and it has been perfect! If I had to do it again, I would have said sell 25. You definitely want to cap it. The best part about the whole experience has been that the hits to my site were huge, they pushed me up to number 1 for face painter, face painting google searches with my city name. and, because of the email I send out with general information, my tip has been $15-$40 per party. I have booked several parties from parties I attended, and several others that didnt purchase the groupon, but saved my info and are now paying full price. I have been very happy.
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~Charlotte
Wichita, KS
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Sherry
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« Reply #10 on: April 25, 2011, 08:14:13 AM » |
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I got nervous about getting booked for all these super cheap parties and canceled it.  Maybe I'll go for it later and have it run during my super slow period. |
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ChaCha
Poet
Posts: 58
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« Reply #11 on: April 25, 2011, 09:08:25 AM » |
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I didnt have a whole bunch of other parties booked and am still looking for the experience and practice. I think it has definately helped my business. I was suprised at several people who didnt understand how groupon works and tried to pay me the $95 again. Many people wanted to know availability before they bought the groupon. You would definitely want to be on their site and answering questions the first day of your groupon. Others that have bought still have not contacted me to book. I will be curious to see how many go unredeemed?
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~Charlotte
Wichita, KS
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Alison
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« Reply #12 on: July 19, 2011, 10:52:58 AM » |
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I just went to groupon.com to see what it is that you're talking about.
And I was scared away from it already.
Just to surf the net, they wanted first my city.
Then my email address. No!
I stopped right there.
Worried about Spam.
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abs
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ChaCha
Poet
Posts: 58
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« Reply #13 on: July 21, 2011, 08:52:56 PM » |
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The reason they want your city is to see which "deals" to tell you about. Email address to email you the deals. If you sign up, you will also be asked for your credit card number. I LOVE groupon. I have purchased facials, massages, restaunt certificates and etc. that I would not have otherwise indulged in. Just this moring I bought dinner for two at a murder mystery dinner theater. cant wait to go! They will also "pay" you when you refer friends to your city groupon. Dont go ther if you want to save monies. If you sign up as a seller, I wouldnt do it if you have plenty of business... just my opinion, though ;o)
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~Charlotte
Wichita, KS
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