Looking for big discounts on dinner, a massage or even teeth whitening in Cincinnati? Check out
Groupon Cincinnati, one of the newest online services linking local business and consumers through the internet and social networking sites.
A Groupon is a printable coupon that provides huge discounts. But you only get it if enough people go in on it with you.
Groupon's website features testimonials on how these super-size discounts have built brand awareness and customer bases. A Groupon staffer will work with merchants to determine what discount is practical for them, as well as a tipping point: the number of guaranteed customers that would make a Groupon worth the company's effort.
If a restaurant offers deep discounts on entrees, and needs 200 customers to make the deal profitable, their Groupon must be bought by at least 200 people. If this point is reached by midnight on the Groupon date, everyone who signed up gets the Groupon, and their credit card is charged for the amount. If not, no worries - consumers don't pay.
Groupon's slogan is "one ridiculously huge coupon each day, on the best things to eat, do, see, and buy in Cincinnati." Since consumers can get overwhelmed with choices, a daily Groupon email features just one deal to take or pass on each day.
CEO Andrew Mason launched Groupon in November of 2008 as a branch of
The Point, an online organization encouraging collective action. The Point's mechanics are similar to Groupon’s: nothing happens until enough people get involved with a particular cause.
Currently, Groupon is in 53 North American cities; two new Groupon cities are added every couple of weeks.
"Cincinnati is a diverse mix of historic districts and new downtown development, providing a host of small businesses that are a perfect fit for Groupon," explained Julie Mossler, Public Relations Manager for Groupon.
Businesses can also visit
GrouponWorks.com to investigate Groupon for themselves.
"We frequently survey featured merchants and host in-person discussions to improve and refine our product," said Mossler
To provide the best possible experience, Groupon selects businesses with care.
"Our sales representatives research the best new merchants and local favorites via online reviews and word of mouth. If it seems like a business we as customers would like to visit, we contact the merchant to talk through deal ideas that make sense for them," said Mossler.
Writer: Elena Stevenson
Source: Julie Mossler, Groupon
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