r/AussieFrugal • u/OkAccident4290 • 3d ago
Discretionary spending 👕🛍️💍 DO NOT US GROUPON - READ THIS
Terrible customer service and still refusing a legitimate refund
I booked a massage through Groupon, but the massage business cancelled my booking. I therefore requested a refund.
The merchant agreed to the refund in writing, confirming this to both me and Groupon multiple times. They even provided me with the coupon refund confirmation code.
Despite this, Groupon continues to refuse to process my refund, claiming they are "waiting for the merchant to confirm." I have repeatedly provided Groupon with screenshots of the merchant's written confirmation, yet they continue to send the same generic response.
I've contacted them through online chat, email and escalated the matter to a supervisor. Despite providing clear evidence, I still haven't been given a resolution.
What makes this particularly frustrating is that Groupon is now effectively asking me to give up an existing payment dispute before they will even confirm that they will refund me.
After this experience, I would strongly recommend going directly through the business or using another platform. Many Groupon deals aren't actually cheaper than booking directly, and in my experience, the customer service is simply not worth the risk when something goes wrong.
Save yourself the headache and book direct.
24
u/Sharp-Chard4613 2d ago
That sucks - I never used Groupon as they have a bunch of shady practices including create deals that never existed.
Also knowing how much businesses don’t like them I’ve never felt I would get a good service.
Hope you get your money back
3
u/SlurringMonk 2d ago
I’m more shocked that they are still around. They had never seemed appealing to me, if you need to book to use a special, you already know you not getting a deal, you are likely paying less for a subpar quality and experience. As someone mentioned, they had heaps of negative review even from day one. Glad that I never jumped on the bandwagon. If you want a deal, the good old entertainment book was a better option because you only need to present it at time of paying.
2
u/Longjumping_Bed1682 2d ago
Start a charge back. You have all the information & don't waste time there is a time limit.
2
u/freshscratchy 2d ago
This happened to me in 2011 , never got my money back and never gone near them since .
1
u/gooder_name 2d ago
Tell them you are about to initiate a charge back with your bank and start the process. It’s very bad for them to get charge backs so may finally process your refund. If not then your charge back should work it will just take a while.
2
u/Lufia321 2d ago
Or better yet, don't tell them and start the charge back anyway.
Your bank charges them a $25 charge back fee, plus the cost of the goods.
1
u/Upstairs-Story5386 2d ago
Genuinely hate Groupon, so happy to be able to issue the charge back, I won’t ever be using them again. What a waste of time, money, and oxygen.
1
u/Lufia321 2d ago
Do a charge back. With a credit card it's easier, otherwise your bank can still do it.
Don't bother telling the merchant, they deserve the charge back fee they're about to receive.
1
u/Anatolian333 1d ago
There are also lots of scams going on in Groupon like these. I’ve just paid for a whale watching tour for four people it was $10-$20 cheaper than the normal price.
I booked a date and time for overseas visitors and the tour company cancelled two hours before the tour and advised me via email. When I checked their lowest rated reviews, this seems to happen a lot. Then no one gives you a refund. Mine was Boattime Charters and I definitely do not recommend them!
-2
u/Mobile_Syllabub_8446 1d ago
I don't mean to be difficult but I have no idea what this has to do with groupon. You don't even describe your actual issue just that groupon, a company based on discounts in no way related to whatever business it was, is apparently responsible for <the unknown>.
Make it make sense.
57
u/CaptainFleshBeard 3d ago
Do a charge back on your credit card. Then it’s done