Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum

General Topics => All things that have nothing to do with Turkey => Topic started by: Scunner on July 14, 2013, 20:42:02 PM

Title: How Does Groupon Work for Holidays/City Breaks?
Post by: Scunner on July 14, 2013, 20:42:02 PM
Any advice welcome. I guess I am nearly alone in not knowing the answer, but I have never used them for travel.

I have seen a good deal for a city break and it has price bands for different periods of the year. I choose the number of nights, I get that, and the period within which I would want to take the break (in this case a six week period). But prior to 'buying' the deal I am not asked which dates I want within that 6 week period. It says that purchasers should confirm availability for their chosen dates prior to ordering - but how? Check with who?

I don't want to pay out, only to find that the dates I want are not available.

Confused   :)
Title: Re: How Does Groupon Work for Holidays/City Breaks?
Post by: echogirl1 on July 14, 2013, 20:47:52 PM
I am always being pestered by e-mails from groupon  but have always been put off by the small print.  Would be glad to hear of any successful people who have taken up their offers.
Title: Re: How Does Groupon Work for Holidays/City Breaks?
Post by: marina on July 14, 2013, 20:53:22 PM
Have only bought once from Groupon, a £10 M & S voucher for £5.  Bit of a no-brainer really and worked fine.

My daughter and her husband have bought loads of things from them and only once had a bad experience.  She's had hairdresser deals, a lovely new mattress, meal deals. They're usually very pleased with what they've got.

Can't unfortunately help Scunner with his problem though, don't know the answer to that one.
Title: Re: How Does Groupon Work for Holidays/City Breaks?
Post by: Scunner on July 14, 2013, 20:58:04 PM
Yes the product deals seem straightforward, I don't know how the holiday/breaks ones work as you only choose a period of time and at no stage are asked which dates within that period you actually want, prior to paying for it. We certainly couldn't just take any old dates, in fact we would want just one set of specific dates.
Title: Re: How Does Groupon Work for Holidays/City Breaks?
Post by: loz on July 14, 2013, 21:08:11 PM
  She's had hairdresser deals,
Can't unfortunately help Scunner with his problem though, don't know the answer to that one.

I don't think he will be bothering with that one ;-)   

I looked at one this morning, very tempting, £89 for 2 night for 2 people in Edinburgh hotel, bed & Breakfast wine and late check out, can be taken any time upto end of November but not available during July, so tempted, but Like Scunner not sure how they work.
Title: Re: How Does Groupon Work for Holidays/City Breaks?
Post by: lynne on July 14, 2013, 21:59:14 PM
There should be a contact number for the company offering the deal.  We haven't bought any that involved travel but we have had some hotel getaways.  We are usually quite flexible when we can go so have always just bought it, phoned the number to book a date, printed off the voucher and off we go.  I have noticed with the Pontins ones that are doing the rounds and there is a number to ring before you purchase, you check the date will be available, then you purchase, phone back and book it.  I suspect you could do the same with the travel ones.  Never had a problem with Groupon or the other companies.....
Title: Re: How Does Groupon Work for Holidays/City Breaks?
Post by: Toky on July 14, 2013, 22:02:52 PM
You need to be flexible as they cant always guarantee your dates, as a rule. There's always lots of small print terms and conditions. A great excuse used is ," lack of availabilit for dates requested". Be careful
Title: Re: How Does Groupon Work for Holidays/City Breaks?
Post by: Scunner on July 14, 2013, 22:06:35 PM
Generally, we have no flexibility on dates whatsoever. So thank you all, Groupon sounds like it is not for us.
Title: Re: How Does Groupon Work for Holidays/City Breaks?
Post by: bewva on July 14, 2013, 22:38:36 PM
I booked a driving experience once with Groupon only to find a few weeks later when I tried to secure the date that the circuit were fully booked. I rang Groupon for a refund. I got the refund by way of credit on my account which needed to be used within 6 months or I lost it. >:(
Title: Re: How Does Groupon Work for Holidays/City Breaks?
Post by: Jacqui Harvey on July 14, 2013, 23:02:50 PM
I bumped them off a while ago.  A lot of the things they advertised where over subscribed and it was impossible to get appointments.  The Hotels they advertise are usually the ones with low scores on T.A. and these places are struggling to get bookings..  Any Hotel they advertise, I would advise anyone to look it up on T.A. first.
Lastly, they advertised a dolphin show, which totally put me off them, so I Junked them.. There was a omplaint on here about this matter.
http://www.calis-beach.co.uk/forum/calis_beach_questions_and_information/cheap_dolphin_entrance_groupon_48389.msg289687.html#msg289687
Title: Re: How Does Groupon Work for Holidays/City Breaks?
Post by: bewva on July 14, 2013, 23:14:40 PM
I have found that you can get a lot of the things direct or cheaper for the same price as on Groupon
Title: Re: How Does Groupon Work for Holidays/City Breaks?
Post by: Scunner on July 14, 2013, 23:38:15 PM
My mum has decided to take the kids away for a week so I noted a nice break to Amsterdam on Groupon during that time. I used to work for an Amsterdam based company and Steph has never been so I thought it would be nice to take her up the canal.

Seems that I am better off just doing the old Skyscanner/Booking.com way - to pay for something, then find out that the dates I want are not available, and to only get my payment back as a time limited account credit sounds absolutely horrific to me.
Title: Re: How Does Groupon Work for Holidays/City Breaks?
Post by: bewva on July 15, 2013, 07:14:30 AM
OOH ER missus. ;D ;D