and yuppies

Quote :

"LOSE THEIR SHIT"

deal expired today at 6:30, bagel place put a sign up on the door on saturday 1/15 that said the groupon wouldn't be accepted on weekends and "federal holidays" due to "high demand" and "supply". YUPPIES AIN'T HAVIN THAT SHIT.

Quote :

"Plainly put, CBA sucks. If I could give this zero stars, I would. I had the same problem with the Groupon as other reviewers have experienced. i expect that if I wait until the last minute to redeem a groupon, there is going to be a wait. I don't expect to be turned away by a snotty 18 year old. I immediately called Groupon and was informed that CBA is NOT allowed to change their policy like that; according to their contract they MUST accept the groupons on each and every day that they are open for business. I was told that the problem would likely be resolved within a few hours, and I could either return to redeem my groupons or I could get a refund. I opted for a refund. The owner of this establishment is shady. He/she obviously entered into a non-lucrative business agreement, the terms of which he refused to abide by. He/she should have thought a little more before doing this or set a cap at the number of groupons they agreed to sell. Changing the terms midway through is wrong and illegal. Never going back. i prefer Einstein's sandwiches anyway..."

Quote :

"I have been a long time CBA customer. Why? For their food, not their customer service. Frankly, the people who work there are spacey and uninterested 100% of the time I used to go there. The last straw was a few minutes ago - I was discussing their Groupon fiasco with the manager. CBA has declared they are not accepting Groupons this weekend because they expire next week and too many people are using them this weekend. I discussed this with the manager and pointed out that a new Einstein's Bagels is moving in across the street. Long story short, his exact quote was "If you don't like the Groupon policy, take your business to Einstein's. Groupon was a bad deal for us". And that is the last time I will ever be in CBA."

Quote :

"I would never recommend this place to anyone!!! I had Groupons to use today that I bought a year ago. SURPRISE! Get there and they decided to post signs in the window reading "We will not accept Groupons on weekends"!! I called later that day and the guy on the phone said they wouldn't because "we're too busy". I said "So we're just out of luck?" He stated "Yeah" Really? Way to get a gold star for customer service!! And you were quite busy at 8:15 a.m. with the two people sitting in there! Awesome business practice to sell Groupons and accept them on weekends in November and then before they expire you're going to decline them? I only paid $3 for an $8 Groupon but it's not about the money, it's about the principal. When we did use Groupons on a SATURDAY in November, the food was bland and overpriced. By the way, we were the only ones in there at about 3 or 4 in the afternoon."

http://www.yelp.com/biz/chicago-bagel-authority-chicago

Quote :

"Not only did they change their terms, but they decided to close early today to celebrate 1 year of Groupon's. They closed at 6:30, right before the crush would come. Oh, if you have an unused Groupon, they'll give you a hug. So I should write a review, and I'm debating, but I will say that the place WAS packed, and the employees were rude and short with customers. Don't say that Groupon was a bad deal for you, just admit you didn't think the implication of Groupon would do to your business."

http://www.yelp.com/topic/chicago-chicago-bagel-authority---groupon-fiasco

chicago tribune article talking about how groupon can hurt small businesses (quotes bagel place):
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-08-16/business/ct-biz-0816-groupon-20100816_1_groupon-businesses-chairs


Check out their awesome website: http://web.mac.com/chicagobagel/CBA/Chicago_Bagel_Authority.html



[Edited on January 18, 2011 at 9:14 PM. Reason : .]

1/18/2011 9:02:15 PM

more like renigged amirite

1/18/2011 9:18:09 PM

It seems like you put a lot of work into this thread so I'll pretend like I care and post in here.

1/18/2011 9:20:41 PM

its a rarity, a halfway interesting thread in CC

1/18/2011 9:25:42 PM

their sandwiches better be fucking incredible if they're going to be assholes to the customers.

1/18/2011 9:31:25 PM

I would've been hella pissed but I also use my britons soon after purchase.

1/18/2011 9:38:15 PM

contents of thread forwarded to BBB

1/18/2011 9:38:45 PM

NEWS FLASH: JEWS FUCKED OVER....AGAIN!!!

1/18/2011 9:43:40 PM

lol @ picture. I'd go for a hug.

Also, we're screwed both in terms of being cheap and in terms of no cheap bagels.
This is truly a travesty.

[Edited on January 18, 2011 at 10:17 PM. Reason : ^]

1/18/2011 10:17:12 PM

Just the thought of sausage and bagel right now gets me going.

1/19/2011 1:29:23 AM

groupon kills small businesses. It's a fact. I'm glad I found this out with a similar scheme called "Maxperks" on the radio station. They didn't write all the restrictions we agreed upon on the voucher.
They didn't give me a "proof" beforehand. The first time I got to see the actual voucher was when a customer brought one in. By that time, 1000 books of 5 ($10 off a $15 purchase) coupon were mailed out and they couldn't be recalled.

I had to explain to the customers they couldn't use all five ($10 off a $15 purchase) vouchers all on one day.
Some tried to use the vouchers on $75 worth of beer to get $50 off. I had to explain that they couldn't use them on alcohol for legal reasons.

It's a dog-eat-dog world, and if you're not careful, you could lose your ass.

It's sad though because groupon is exactly like the 4-move checkmate in chess: Noobs will always fall for it.

[Edited on January 19, 2011 at 2:43 AM. Reason : .]

1/19/2011 2:42:59 AM

Quote :

"groupon kills small businesses. It's a fact."

Don't invest in things (loss leaders in this case) you can't afford. Holy shit, Business 101.

1/19/2011 3:25:57 AM

$10 off $15?


Geez, why not go for like "$3 off $15"

1/19/2011 7:49:06 AM

seriously - groupon doesn't kill small businesses. it's moronic small business owners who don't understand the basics of cash flow who kill their own business. nobody forced this guy to get onboard with the deal.

[Edited on January 19, 2011 at 9:36 AM. Reason : .]

1/19/2011 9:34:37 AM

first world problems ITT

1/19/2011 10:07:06 AM

Quote :

"Don't invest in things (loss leaders in this case) you can't afford. Holy shit, Business 101."

Exactly.

Quote :

"groupon kills small businesses. It's a fact. I'm glad I found this out with a similar scheme called "Maxperks" on the radio station. They didn't write all the restrictions we agreed upon on the voucher. They didn't give me a "proof" beforehand. The first time I got to see the actual voucher was when a customer brought one in. By that time, 1000 books of 5 ($10 off a $15 purchase) coupon were mailed out and they couldn't be recalled."

Why in the world would you have gone ahead with it if they didn't give you a proof of the voucher to review before signing on the dotted line?

1/19/2011 10:22:41 AM

dude,

FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS

The bagel shop owner is the idiot.

1/19/2011 10:37:54 AM

Jessica81 is PISSED.

1/19/2011 10:43:29 AM

Quote :

"They didn't give me a "proof" beforehand. "

That's your stupidity.

And Groupon, for most businesses that use it, is a great asset. It helps introduce their product/store to a broader audience that might not have known about it before.

The Meat House (butcher place) in Cary did a Groupon deal last year for $30 worth of product for $15. They said that they had such a good turnout last year that they would be up for doing it again.

1/19/2011 10:47:56 AM

Quote :

"Why in the world would you have gone ahead with it if they didn't give you a proof of the voucher to review before signing on the dotted line?"

I had a signed contract. Everything that is supposed to be written on the voucher INCLUDING restrictions is on the signed contract. After you sign the contract, the show is in their boat and they take care of the rest.

The catch-22 is even if I sue them, I have to do A LOT more work to build my case. Waste my time and money for something that is a guaranteed win BUT with unknown value.

Again, there is no law saying they HAVE TO ever pay me. They can't be put in jail for not paying. I sued and won $3000 against my air condition guy and he ain't payin. I have to do a bunch more bullshit work to figure out how to garnish his wages (if he hasn't quit) or put a lien on his house (if he owns a house) or something I don't know. The system is bullshit unless someone that knows the system lets you in on the loopholes to cut through the redtape.

Quote :

"The Meat House (butcher place) in Cary did a Groupon deal last year for $30 worth of product for $15."

I have no doubt that turnout is high, but customers are lead to believe that when people buy the groupon, that The Meat House makes $15 from the $30 sale. This is completely false. It's Groupon that makes $15 and The meat house has to give away $30 of its food or $15 their cost, for every customer that comes in. In other words, they have to sell $45 worth of meat to make up for the $15 they lost per voucher. Unless The Meat House is already generating HUGE sales and they're busy everyday before the groupon, then I highly doubt The Meat House was being honest with you about them loving to give away THAT much free product.

[Edited on January 19, 2011 at 11:30 AM. Reason : .]

1/19/2011 11:28:08 AM

actually the $15 the customer paid for the groupon is split 50/50; $7.50 goes to groupon and $7.50 goes to the meathouse

1/19/2011 11:32:15 AM

^^ Then you shouldn't have signed that contract if they weren't going to give you a proof to review before the coupon went live. I've never heard of a company not giving you a final review of the product. Sounds like they're a shitty company.

Quote :

"The Meat House (butcher place) in Cary did a Groupon deal last year for $30 worth of product for $15. They said that they had such a good turnout last year that they would be up for doing it again."

Mmm will have to keep an eye out for that.

Quote :

"I have no doubt that turnout is high, but customers are lead to believe that when people buy the groupon, that The Meat House makes $15 from the $30 sale. This is completely false. It's Groupon that makes $15 and The meat house has to give away $30 of its food or $15 their cost"

Incorrect. That may be how whatever company you used does it, but that's not how Groupon does it. Groupon take a percentage of the sale, not the full $15.

[Edited on January 19, 2011 at 11:33 AM. Reason : s]

1/19/2011 11:33:03 AM

http://www.groupon.com/business-faq

Quote :

"How does Groupon make money?? If and only if your Groupon is successful, we keep a percentage of each unit sold. How do I get paid?? Groupon collects customer payment for you, distributes Groupon vouchers to the customers, and mails you a check"

1/19/2011 11:34:49 AM

$7.50 for $30 worth of product.

Still not my idea of GOLDEN DAYS.

1/19/2011 11:35:14 AM

are you reneging on your groupon terms and conditions?

1/19/2011 11:35:48 AM

They were actually very busy before the Groupon deal and continue to be long after the voucher expired.

1/19/2011 11:35:55 AM

^^^ Yes, it's called a loss leader. Supermarkets do this all the time. If you don't want to do a loss leader in your business, then don't. It's not a difficult concept

1/19/2011 11:37:52 AM

Thank you peanut GAYllery. Hindsight is 20/20. You guys are sooo clever, you've never been shystered out of your money in your lifetime.

1/19/2011 11:39:41 AM

GeniuSxBoY, didn't you have an issue one time where you put out a coupon but then wouldn't accept it on the day that it expired?

Seems like you and coupons have a hate-hate relationship.

1/19/2011 11:40:11 AM

PLEASE GUISE I HAVE AMWAY TONIGHT

1/19/2011 11:40:19 AM

^^that's the same one

1/19/2011 11:40:57 AM

Quote :

"Unless The Meat House is already generating HUGE sales and they're busy everyday before the groupon, then I highly doubt The Meat House was being honest with you about them loving to give away THAT much free product."

Quote :

"They were actually very busy before the Groupon deal and continue to be long after the voucher expired."

Thank you, bows.

1/19/2011 11:42:52 AM

Next time I come up to VA Beach to visit family, I'm going to come by your pizza place and try and use some coupons.

1/19/2011 11:43:17 AM

Alrighty

1/19/2011 11:44:16 AM

oh shit, she's gonna walk outta there with free food

1/19/2011 11:45:32 AM

Nobody tells me no to using a coupon.

I'mma walk outta there with the lease.

1/19/2011 11:46:01 AM

Quote :

"you've never been shystered out of your money in your lifetime."

It doesn't sound like you were shystered at all.

1/19/2011 11:46:48 AM

Quote :

"Nobody tells me no to using a coupon. I'mma walk outta there with the lease."

What are you even talking about

1/19/2011 11:59:45 AM

Samantha's Pizza, Beer and Stitches

Coming soon to Virginia Beach.

1/19/2011 12:01:25 PM

reservation for 1 at samantha's pizza, beer and stitches plz

1/19/2011 12:02:20 PM

Quote :

"The system is bullshit unless someone that knows the system lets you in on the loopholes to cut through the redtape."

Sounds like you need one of those guys, what are they called...oh yeah, lawyers.

1/19/2011 12:05:48 PM

hahahaha

1/19/2011 1:19:34 PM

how are you even still in business man...wow

1/19/2011 1:22:17 PM

Groupons are a bad idea for most business owners - the problem is that the coupon sellers interests and the small business owners interests don't align.

If the groupon is for a significant amount (which is what they will push the business owner to do) then groupon has higher sales and the business is left to honor a loss leader in quantities they most likely are not ready to handle. But hey groupon wins, takes half the revenue, and noone complains about their business model.

I think most small business owners that take part are wooed by the idea of having more customers and think that the trade off is worth it initially - but if the volume is high like cba it just burns them in the end. I don't know of any small business that could absorb a 50-70k loss in a month or two or three.. especially not for the sake of gaining possible future business.

1/19/2011 1:39:15 PM

^ That's why you can have groupon put a cap on the # of coupons sold. To avoid such problems.

1/19/2011 1:40:38 PM

Quote :

"Plainly put, CBA sucks"

I'm actually a fan of Colletive Bargaining Agreements.

1/19/2011 1:47:06 PM

Quote :

"I think most small business owners that take part are wooed by the idea of having more customers and think that the trade off is worth it initially - but if the volume is high like cba it just burns them in the end. I don't know of any small business that could absorb a 50-70k loss in a month or two or three.. especially not for the sake of gaining possible future business."

The real bargaining points they sell you on is

A, Chances are they'll bring a friend or buy an extra item or two.
B. Once you get them in the door, they will be repeat customers without coupons.


But in reality this happens:

A. Your regulars buy the coupons. You lose the money you usually make from your regulars.
B. The new customers with the coupons only spend the value of the coupon just to try you. Because they know the coupon exists, they think your food costs less than the value of the coupon and would never buy your food at full price. They never return.

1/19/2011 4:49:56 PM

clearly no small business has ever successfully had a coupon campaign

1/19/2011 5:00:57 PM

its amazing to me that this guy is still in the pizza business when he can't even understand a groupon contract. although, i never really thought selling pizza was hard.

1/19/2011 5:49:21 PM

I run a small business and we do coupon deals and specials.

It is pretty good especially around the holidays. So it can work, just has to be done right.

1/19/2011 6:00:10 PM