Apr 27, 2009 7:48 pm US/Central
'Groupons' Saving Bargain Hunters Big Bucks
BOSTON (CBS) ―
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The site offers one coupon every day at all sorts of businesses around Boston.
WBZ
Sara Steele-Rogers loves to try new restaurants with friends and getting pampered at a salon. But the graduate student says it can be tough to justify spending the money. "Especially in this economy," she said.
But Sara has figured out how to get what she wants for about half price, CBS station WBZ-TV reported. She finds discounts on
Groupon.com "It's a great value," she added.
"Groupon is a combination of the words 'group' and 'coupon,'" explained CEO Andrew Mason.
The site offers one coupon every day at all sorts of businesses around country. But there's a catch, a certain number of people have to buy the deal before it goes through.
Rochelle Kliss of Marblehead drove all the way from Marblehead to Boylston Street in Boston to cash in on a Groupon at the Dolce Vita Salon. She got a haircut, manicure, pedicure and an eyebrow wax for just $49 dollars, that's a savings of 72 percent. "It was a deal that you couldn't really refuse," she said.
The deal was so good, salon owner Elana Bernstein got 837 new clients. "People don't know us as well as some of the other salons in the area," she said. "Now they know us and hopefully, they'll come in."
Benny Kraines sold 150 Groupons to his Brigham Circle restaurant, The Savant Project. He says it's better than advertising because you can measure the results when customers come in with the Groupons. "It gets new people in and it makes existing customers happy," he said.
There's really no limit to the kinds of deals you'll find on the site. Community Boating on the Charles River offered half off a month's membership, a savings of $50. Brite Smile on Newbury Street offered a $600 dollar teeth whitening for just $185. How about a few laughs? The Wilbur Theater sold tickets to a comedy show for just $15.
"Every deal that I have seen on Groupon has been great," said Steele-Rogers. "I'm really excited to see what they have in the future."
Some of the popular deals sell out quickly and for services that require appointments, it may take a while to redeem your Groupon.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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