groupon vs bloomspot

So I’ve already written about my bad experience with a Bloomspot coupon. I asked for a $12 refund; Bloomspot agreed their coupon terms were misleading.  And still, they refused the refund.  Plus, it took days to be told no.  “Upper management” had to convene for a decision of this level to be made.

Conversely, I call Groupon to report a problem. I begin the conversation this way, “Let me start by saying I am not asking for anything back.  I just think you should be aware of a problem I had with a Groupon I used at a local restaurant.”

I then went on to describe the problem. 

I recently had a nice dinner using a $69 Groupon.  Two of us received the three courses and glass of wine as stated in the Groupon.  The service was abysmal but the food was excellent.  When the bill came, the waiter had added $13 for tax and $25 for tip.  When I asked why, he said that was based on the full value of the dinner, which the restaurant assessed at $150.  When I added up the items we had, the value was less that that.  Eventually the restaurant deleted the tip and let me add my own.  My friend Shari had the same experience.  Her husband was livid and wrote a scathing review of the restaurant on Open Table.

So here was Groupon’s response.  “Thank you for calling.  We’ve heard this complaint before.  We are going to talk to the restaurant.  And we apologize that you had to experience this.    I am going to credit your account $30.”

Nothing asked for, something gained — a nice surprise.  And clearly Groupon wins hands down over Bloomspot.