How We Use Groupon

A few friends have asked how we use Groupon.  They're really surprised when we tell them we found our lodging for California on this site.  Since we've signed up for Groupon, we've elected to receive the regular Groupon emails each day that are for deals in our area, and they also send weekly "Groupon Getaway" emails, which are valid across the country.  Some people mind all the emails, but I personally enjoy looking at all the photos!  

We'd been looking at going skiing this spring, but it was just really expensive, even with a free place to stay with some family friends.  (We are currently on the hunt for some ski buddies, so let us know!)  Instead of skiing, I was looking through Groupon Getaways and found a deal for Mendocino County.  

Let's pretend have the vacation days and funds to go on a trip next month.  I'd look on the site and see that Teton Springs Lodge & Spa looks right up our alley.  So I'd click on it and research it a bit.

{This is what the email looks like, with 10 options or so}

This deal is for two nights for $289. (So that's $145 a night.  It's actually good for four adults, so that's about $75 per couple, per night.  Not bad, if you don't mind sharing a room!)

Doesn't this look lodgy and cozy and like you just want to jump right in??

At this point, I look at "The Fine Print" and figure out if there's a time that would work for us to go.  It looks like you can purchase two Groupons and get four nights out of the deal.

I'd also go to their actual website and see if I could find out more information.  If there are websites with reviews on it, I look through those as well, but also remember that most complainers like to post negative comments, and the people that had a great experience probably don't take the time.  :-)

Now would also be a good time to look for flights to surrounding areas, and what it would cost to rent a car and such.  We found a great new website called OneTravel.com  They have good deals on rental cars and hotels, if you need to stay near the airport one night before driving to your Groupon destination or something.

Something we like to keep in mind:

What I've learned about Groupon is that there are some really great deals.  It's tempting to want to buy them all just because it's a good deal.  If there's something we enjoy doing but don't like to pay out the wazoo for it (like movie tickets), or it's somewhere we shop fairly frequently (like Gap), then it's probably a good deal for us, since we'd probably spend money there anyways.

What if it expires?

If you don't end up using your Groupon before it expires, they will refund your money to use on another Groupon purchase.

Groupon Now Deals

You can also use "Groupon Now" deals that come up just for the weekend.  Typically, Groupons are valid one day after you purchase them, but these particular deals are available right then, and they expire within a few hours.  

We did this Friday night when we purchased a Groupon for a nearby Sports Bar/Tavern that looked good.  We paid $10 for the Groupon (it was a $20 value) and then paid about $10 more once we got to the restaurant.  So we ended up paying about $20 for a $30 meal.  Not a huge savings there, but some!  And we learned about a new place that we like, so it was a win-win.

Our Experience

We've used Groupon from things like food to clothes to travel, and I have to say that it's been a really positive experience.  Although we've never had a bad one, Groupon does say that if you're not satisfied, they'll refund your money.  

ps.  Groupon has no idea I exist or that I'm writing this.  It's for your own personal benefit--because who doesn't love a good deal!