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April 10, 2012
Groupon Math (or why I am sick of it)
Just updated this with something I forgot....
Wow...I just had a completely crappy experience with a Groupon purchased for a local Domino's Pizza. Kinda turning me off on this whole industry (especially with being bombarded by Living Social and Google Offers.
So for $10, I purchased $20 worth of Domino's Pizza. Seems like a good deal. But the math works against you. If you spend exactly $20, then your meal is 50% off. But every penny that you spend over that, the discount is diminished.
But when I got there - they said that no coupons applied on this particular offer. WTF? I was ordering the following menu items:
Quantity Description Amount
Large (14") Brooklyn Pizza
Whole: No Robust Inspired Tomato Sauce, Cheese, Hearty Marinara Sauce, Black Olives, Green Peppers, Mushrooms
$7.99
Tuscan Salami & Roasted Veggie
Options: White Sauce, Cheese, Onions, Banana Peppers, Roasted Red Peppers, Spinach, Salami
$7.99
32-Piece Parmesan Bread Bites
$5.00
Side Marinara Sauce Dipping Cup (Thanks for not including this with the bread bites)
$0.50
Coupon Used: Large 3-Topping Pizza. Carryout Only. Available Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday Only.
Food & Bev Total: $21.48
Tax: $1.29
Total: $22.77
So this seemed pretty good - $22.77 worth of food for $12.77 - that is a discount of 44% - not bad.
BUT WAIT....I was told that if I am using a Groupon - it is MENU PRICES. So the Coupon that they are advertising all over creation went away and the cost went to around $27. Hmm...So I am get $27 is food for around $17 - and my discount dropped to 37%. But in reality, I am still getting around $23 worth of food - because I would have been able to use a coupon.... so when I factor that in, the real discount is only around 26%. As my beagle Flapjack would say....whoop-di-doo!
To add insult to injury, the Groupon Fine Print did not mention this at all:
The Fine Print
Expires Oct 3, 2012
Limit 2 per person. Limit 1 per table. Not valid for the purchase of alcohol. Not valid for online ordering. Carryout and delivery only. Delivery fee not included. Must purchase 1 food item. Must use promotional value in 1 visit. See the rules that apply to all deals.
So long story short - Super-disappointed - not going to jump on one of these again for a while.
Should have cooked dinner at home.
Posted by cseeman at April 10, 2012 06:38 PM