Google and Facebook tool up for coupons fight

Google has chosen Oregon as its initial theatre of operations for its long-awaited response to Groupon. The search giant's push into the home of the world's biggest fungus comes as Facebook preps its own coupon assault on five US cities. Ever since Groupon had the temerity to decline a takeover offer from the Chocolate …

[Anonymous Coward]

Hmmm...

"Facebook says its deals – which will compete with other “social deals” applications already using Facebook "

... I don't like the sound of this. It is very Apple-esque

[Anonymous Coward]

$6 Billion

Bet Groupon will feel really stupid when their carcass is bought for a fraction of that Googasm offer.

[Gordan]

Seems to me...

... they both have some catching up to do. Vouchercloud already do this, there's an free android app, too, and it filters by current location (as per GPS/WiFi/GSM). Handy if you eat out a lot, the voucher codes typically give between 25% and 50% off, especially if it's for 2.

[BigG]

Is this for tight sods who wield their restaurant vouchers with such glee?

I'll be looking out for places that don't offer these discounts - is there an app for that?

Paris, because, well, she'd be well worth splashing out on.

[DF118]

I really hate the idea behind all this

Groupon doesn't really work for products; it only really works for services where the "value" is somewhat nebulous, and thus the "saving" can be equally nebulous. In effect those of us who can't be arsed pissing around with Groupon to get a supposedly cheap deal on, say, a restaurant meal or a massage, are in effect paying for the discount given to those who can and do. The service provider loses margin to Groupon and the normal paying customer ends up paying more.

[Wpgwill]

I forsee...

Many more 50% off haircuts, spas and yoga that's still over priced after a 50% discount.

But OMG, a spa that's regularly $300 is now only $150 with GroupOn. Thank god!

[joejack]

Who wins?

Yelp is doing this now, too. Seems they'd be very well positioned - if you're on Yelp, it's usually because you're actively looking for a service.

http://www.yelp.com/deals/

[Petrea Mitchell]

I wonder if they chose us here in fungus-land...

...because Google Hotpot/Google Places was/is being tested here too. (I'm not sure if it's still in the exclusive test phase or not, but the local buses are certainly still plastered with ads for it.)

[Lamont Cranston]

Giant mushrooms? Hotpot?

Is the Rovers Return somehow involved, too?

[Petrea Mitchell]

Not quite...

No, but Portland does have an extraordinary number of brewpubs too. (In fact it claims to have more breweries per capita than any other large or largish city in the world-- 30+ within the city limits proper last I heard.)

[Anonymous Coward]

Can you say 'monopolistic' activity on the part of Google?

eom...

[YumDogfood]

Green Shield Stamps, by the barrowload

Coupons? Looks like everybody is wanting to get out of the dollar, fast.

[Anonymous Coward]

Oh so cynical..

or perhaps just up yourselves? I just bought 3 months digital subscription to the Times and Sunday Times from Groupon for £7.80 which is normally £2 a week. A very real bargain. I also don't see how using a voucher to buy a meal is somehow a bad thing? If you're to stuck up yourself to accept a discount then thats your choice but don't make it out like you're somehow being cool. Sure there are some things where the "deal" isn't really but thats life, find me a store whos "sale" is 100% bargains and I'll show you a liar.

[DF118]

Ok I'll bite

The point

A big gap

Your understanding