Popular deals site Groupon today launched Groupon Basics, a new Costco-esque venture that promises to save you money on name-brand household goods purchases by selling in bulk quantities.
“We’re putting the bulk buying power of Groupon to work for our customers, helping them save on serious quantities of the things they buy and use every day –– all from the convenience of their home,” explained Aaron Cooper, senior vice president of Groupon Goods. “By adding this service to our marketplace, we’re providing shoppers with great value and yet another reason to always check Groupon first. Best of all, there’s no membership or monthly fees.”
The focus of Groupon Basics is, at least for now, seems to be on high-end brands, supplements, deodorant, soap and over-the-counter medications, all in absolutely massive quantities. You can buy 18 sticks of Tom’s of Maine deodorant for $84.99, a six-pack of Delsym cough syrup for $58.99 and 2,400 Vanity Fair napkins for $49.99, for example. Shipping of Groupon Basics items is free with a $25 purchase, and the company offers a 5% rebate on future purchases.
Large families and institutional buyers may find some good bargains on Groupon Basics, but for the average family, quantities seem too large and prices don’t seem low enough given the extreme bulk. The average household will probably do far better with Amazon’s new Prime Pantry grocery delivery service, which offers a wider selection, less expensive everyday brands and far more reasonable sizes with flat-rate shipping.
You can take a look at the new Groupon Basics selection by visiting the Groupon website or by visiting the “Goods” tab in the recently updated Groupon app.
Groupon Is Ripping People Off
From Brodie Yastrum on December 10, 2014 :: 8:10 pm
I’ve shared this same comment elsewhere. Groupon is plain lying to consumers. As the founder of Toilet Paper And (https://www.toiletpaperand.com), the first ever value comparison engine for household and personal essentials, that seriously frustrates me.
Check out this deodorant offer from Groupon Basics: http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-4-pack-of-degree-deodorant-for-men-or-women-4.
There are three options. Let’s check out the Cool Rush option. The Groupon price is $6.99 for a total of 6.8 ounces (4 1.7-ounce sticks). That’s $1.03/ounce. Groupon claims the value is $24 ($3.52/ounce).
What does it cost elsewhere? It took me all of 7 seconds on https://www.toiletpaperand.com to find that Walmart.com offers the same deodorant for $0.74/ounce (http://www.walmart.com/ip/10898692). THAT’S 27% LESS THAN GROUPON. How about Target.com? Another 7 seconds on https://www.toiletpaperand.com to find that Target.com is also $0.74/ounce (http://www.target.com/p/degree-deodorant-cool-rush-2pk-2-7-oz/-/A-11223381).
Are the Walmart.com and Target.com products exactly the same as the Groupon option (4 1.7-ounce sticks)? No, they’re a smaller quantity (2 2.7-ounce sticks). It’s irrelevant: value is what matters what it comes to your essentials, not price.
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