What to look out for when buying deals from sites like Groupon and LivingSocial.
What are group buying sites?
Group buying sites offer consumers goods or services at a discounted price after the minimum number of buyers have been met. These deals or coupon vouchers are usually only available for a limited amount of time and often expire when the offer is sold out or the time limit expires.
Customers usually receive the coupon after payment through their email or social media accounts. They then present a print out or barcode at the establishment of choice to enjoy their discounted deal.
Group buying websites are a great way to explore a new place or try a new restaurant and activity at discounted rates. You can even explore your own neighbourhood or country with offers around your area.
What do group buying sites sell?
Group buying sites can offer discount deals or vouchers for a variety of goods, experiences and services. You can enjoy savings for everything: from a spa session to a holiday getaway and meals at fine dining restaurants.
What are the best group buying sites in Australia?
Australians love a good bargain - that’s why you’ve got finder.com.au bookmarked as one of your favourites, amirite?
These top five group buying sites are particularly useful to bag a great deal while shopping online. Check out their daily deals for food, services, activities and more.
Groupon
Groupon is a global e-commerce marketplace offering up to 50-90% discount off their wide range of products and services. Subscription is free and entitles users to receive huge discounts at restaurants, concerts, health services, products, and more. Each deal is available is for a limited time and exclusive to Groupon subscribers.
Great way to discover things to do, places to go and things to eat with the daily local deals
Unused vouchers can be canceled within 7 days of purchase
Download the mobile app for daily deals at your fingertips
View our Groupon coupon codes here
Shop Groupon now
LivingSocial
In short, LivingSocial is your online marketplace for deals. The site allows users to explore the best features, activities and discoveries in their cities. Simply choose your city and see what's on offer around you.
From restaurants and activities to bargain escapes, LivingSocial will see you saving the big bucks and experiencing your city to its fullest.
Search for the best deals by location
Good Deal Guarantee allows you a full refund on any unredeemed vouchers within 2 days of purchase or exchange an expired voucher for credit
Invite friends to earn LivingSocial credit
View our LivingSocial coupon codes here
Shop LivingSocial now
MyDeal.com.au
Mydeal.comau is an Australian online discount department store with over 20,000 items for sale from a range of categories. Bargain hunters can find deals on homewares, sports equipment, fashion, baby and kids products, travel and more.
Be spoilt for choice over 20,000 branded and unbranded products and services across 900 different categories
Read reviews by other customers before purchasing a product or service
Most of the items offered on My Deal comes with free shipping
View our MyDeal.com.au coupon codes here
Shop MyDeal.com.au now
Scoopon
One of Australia’s largest daily deals websites, Scoopon delivers deep discounts on just about everything. Find half-price dining experiences, cheap tickets to attractions, low-price fashion and homewares, and budget travel options that have been specially negotiated by the Scoopon team.
New deals updated daily
Redeem your deal voucher on the same day of purchase via email
Live chat is available should you need help
View our Scoopon coupon codes here
Shop Scoopon now
Best for entertainment:
Groupon
Scoopon
Living Social
Our Deal
Best for travel:
Our Deal
Scoopon
Best for restaurants and activities:
Living Social
Groupon
Scoopon
Best for fashion and shopping:
Groupon
Living Social
Our Deal
Scoopon
Best for electronics:
Groupon
Living Social
How do group buying sites work?
Group buying sites liaise with merchants and service providers for better prices in exchange for a higher number of guaranteed purchases.
In most cases, a voucher or deal will only be available if the minimum number of purchases has been met. Consumers can browse through sites like Groupon and LivingSocial to find the hottest daily deals.
Membership (free) is compulsory with most sites and secure payment gateways are provided for peace of mind when purchasing. A voucher is then emailed to you to be printed off and use at the merchant or service provider.
Are group buying sites worth it?
Group buying sites are a great way to explore your local area or to try out a new restaurant, service or to purchase goods at bargain prices. That being said, there have been complaints of poor service and goods running out due to the establishment’s inability to handle the increased number of purchases.
If you are looking to buy a deal, it is advised that you do your research. Below we’ve outlined a couple of tips to make sure you have the best group buying site experience as possible.
What should I look out for in group buying sites?
If you are looking to jump on the group buying bandwagon, here are few things to look out for before making your first deal purchase.
Choose a reputable group buying site. Check to see if there are recent deals and how often they offer new ones. If the deals are stale, steer clear!
Read reviews by other customers. Some sites look like they’re offering a good deal, but in fact it’s not as fab as all that. Research the actual merchant to make sure they’re reputable and look out for a sound refund policy and buyer protection to help ensure peace of mind.
How can I protect myself when buying from group buying sites?
When purchasing from a group buying site, there are several things to look out for:
Read the fine print. Before making your purchase, be sure to read up on the redemption period, time and location of your product or service. Some vouchers can only be redeemed at a specific location/branch at a certain time. Restaurants or beauty and spa locations may require you to make a prior appointment.
Voucher purchase limitations. There are generally two types of voucher limitations:
Unlimited purchase and unlimited redemption by one person. You may purchase as many vouchers or deals as you want and redeem them within the redemption period.
Unlimited purchase and limited to one redemption per person. You may purchase as many vouchers or deals as you want but you can only redeem one of them. So bring your family and friends!
Refund policy. Some group buying sites offer refunds should you change your mind while others do not. LivingSocial allows for full refunds on unredeemed vouchers within two-days of purchase. It also allows for exchange an expired voucher for credit. Groupon has a cooling off period of 7 days for all unused coupons and travel deals. Scoopon Travel Guarantee will issue a full refund or store credit should you be unable to secure your preferred travel, accommodation and flight dates within 14 days of voucher purchase.
How do group buying sites make money?
Group buying sites have huge databases and understand the buying behaviour of localised markets. In exchange for this information, they make money by driving traffic to their merchant sites who are prepared to offer a discount in exchange for guaranteed purchase.
Group buying sites handle the marketing and payment aspects of the deal while the merchants take care of fulfilment. They may take a percentage of the discounted price which the merchants are offering on the product or service.
What is the ACCC code of conduct around group buying sites?
The ACCC group buying code of conduct is a response to the public outcry of disgruntled group buying shoppers. The code outlines the best practices for group buying platforms which includes the following:
The site must ensure that an offer is presented accurately and in clear, easy-to-read language
The site must offer clear refund policies
The site must offer clear details on how to contact the group buying site in the event of a complaint or query
The site may only send offers to customers who gave their consent with opt-out facility
The site must have an easy-to-read privacy policy and not to disclose personal information of individuals
What should I do if something goes wrong?
Should a deal purchase go awry, try to resolve the issue with the merchant. If the merchant is uncooperative, seek help from the group buying site.
The refund policy and contact details should be clearly stated and accessible from the group buying site. Usually, a full refund or credit will be issued if you are dissatisfied with the experience.
If all these are not possible, consider making a consumer complaint to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission or taking legal action.