Watchdogs have cracked down after customers complained about offers that didn't seem to exist. Among deals cited were "all you can eat in London for £3" and "a bouquet of roses from £8". Online users said they were unable to find the offers when they followed the links on the website. The Office of Fair Trading has now given the firm three months to clean up its act. It must ensure its offers are "accurate, honest and transparent". Groupon operates by using "collective buying power" — selling goods and services from firms by promising them a minimum number of customers will take up the offer. This enables it to offer discount coupons on a range of products — from meals out to garden furniture. But customers have complained about the exaggeration of some discounts and time limits to take up the offers. Last year, the Advertising Standards Authority ordered the firm "not to advertise sales promotions if they could not demonstrate they were genuine". The OFT said its own investigation — which followed a referral by the ASA — found "widespread examples" which breached consumer protection rules. Groupon blamed problems on its rapid growth, and vowed to change. UK managing director Roy Blanga said: "We take the concerns very seriously and will willingly implement the recommended changes."
0 comments:
Post a Comment