I thought i'd make an official thread for everyone to post their bad experiences with any vouchers that they purchase from any group buy site. I have seen many threads coming up and each time more threads are being linked to it. It will be easy for everyone to have just one thread. In future it will also be easy to have the whole thread as an evidence if required to lodge a formal complaint.
Please mention the group buy site, the voucher/deal and your experience. Great if you leave a date too.
Wonder if we need a separate sub-forum for group buy deals?
I've had plenty of great and some bad experiences, right now I can't get a booking for Indya Bristro, but i can say its a damn good place to eat. But at the same time, I went to Chili Padi in Melbourne Central, and it was dogs breakfast food. If i get more bad experiences i'll leave it here. :)
That's very surprising as Indya is never busy. I pass by Indya everyday on the way back from work. Used my voucher on a Friday night a couple of weeks ago with no booking. Not full at all and a couple of other people were using the coupons.
As for the food, it's not as good as I remembered. 45 minutes in between ordering and receiving starters, another 45 to get the mains. For the most part, all of the food was very plain in flavour and portions were small. Very good value and no problem at all redeeming coupon so I guess I can't complain but if the purpose of this voucher was to gain customers in the future, I think they have failed.
My recommendation for those in that area is to go further up the street to East Brunswick where there are a few Indian places on Lygon street or back into the city to Gaylords or similar.
Thanks for the feedback on Indya, bought a coupon for that place after reading a couple of fairly good reviews. Intend to go there next week or so, hope there won't be much issues with reservations!
I have not been able to get a booking with Indya and now it looks like I will loose my money.
I believe Indya are banking on people not cashing in their vouchers and have gone voucher crazy selling over 1200 vouchers since the start of the year. So please BEWARE.
Also, Indya, did not seem too concerned when I could not get a booking - apparently not their problem!
http://www.smartie.com.au - 924 vouchers sold since December.
http://www.dinetoday.com.au/deals.php?id=18 168 sold
http://cudo.com.au/melbourne/yes-a-weekend-lunch-for-two-at-…
http://www.jumponit.com/melbourne/restaurant-cultural/indya-… 82
http://www.stardeals.com.au/deals/melbourne/indya-bistro/715… 15 sold
http://www.dealme.com.au/deal/vic/lunch-two-award-winning-in… 36 sold
http://www.dailybonanza.com.au/past-deals/deal/243
Also - BEWARE of Vowcha and Smartie.
They know they are selling vouchers that can not be used and DO NOT CARE.
I have contacted them twice via their website with no reply.
Their phone number gets answered and people pretend to be an aswering machine! (no joke)
After calling 10 ntimes and getting a different message, I called them out on it.
The guy on the line said he work for a call centre and Vowcha/Smartie had not paid their bills, so they were not to deal with any customers - just read the answering machine message.
Feel free to try for yourself - Phone: 1300 772 745
I went to eat there last Friday (on my second coupon) on the first Vowcha they ever sold. The entire restaurant for the exception of maybe 1 table was using group buy vouchers. I did have to book in 2 weeks in advance. All bookings are done through bookarestaurant.com. The next available booking is Thursday night(7/7). Looking at the site this Friday and Saturday night is booked but next weekend is available. When does your coupon expire?
Indya Bistro have got back to me and have offered to extend the voucher for a week. The guy who emailed me from Indya Bistro was a lot more helpful than the guy I spoke to on the phone. So thumbs up to Indya Bistro and I look forward to eating there.
I have highlighted that having over 600 vouchers expire on the same day was always going to create problems in the last month of the voucher. Hopefully they will start to spread their voucher expiry dates out to lessen the issue. Also suggest people use their vouchers as soon as possible due to the rush at the end.
However Smartie/Vowcha have some serious issues with their customer service.
I have contacted them numerous times using their website and they say they have no record.
I have phoned them and been told by the call centre they have not paid their bill.
With all the competition in the voucher market, attitudes like this will lead to their demise.
So thumbs up for Indya Bistro, Thumbs down for Smartie/Vowcha.
Vowcha used to be housed in the same building as Indya restaurant, so their association is closer then some random business. I still don't understand the problem. I'm assuming you bought the vowcha that expired today? The bookarestaurant site had times/dates before the expiration. Did you try and book in the last week of expiry? Make sure the staff know that they have extended your booking.
Hi Neil, I had tried to book for a few weeks (even the end of May) but there were no vacancies for the weekends I was after. I can not do weekdays and acknowledge that may have been part of the issue. I may have been unlucky as I followed the instructions on the voucher and called Indya and the guy from Indya just told me that he could not help just go to bookings website. So one thing Indya should fix is they should not say call this number to make a booking if they do not take bookings by phone (ie. say book on website on voucher).
After still not being able to get a weekend time online I contacted Indya and was told that they were full due to the big rush of people with vouchers and that they were free the week after the vouchers expired (as mentioned 600+ people had vouchers expire the same day). They suggested to contact Smartie to get it extended.
I did contacted Smartie before the voucher expired but never recieved a reply.
From what I understand the Vowcha company was sold and turned into Smartie.
It looks like Smartie has some serious problems.
Indya was very helpful when I contacted them via email and I am happy with them, though I think they could improve future vouchers by stating you book via the website and spread out the expiry dates to not have 600+ people rushing at the end for bookings.
Did not want to leave this thread unanswered. I had dinner at Indya and they were great. Great food and great service. So I would recommend people to go there. Just remember if you have a voucher, book early.
It is good to share it here.
Does DELL SWARM fall under this section ?
date: 31/1/2011
site: Our Deal
Store: Arrivederci Pizzeria Al Metro (Brisbane, Milton)
Complaint: Changing T&Cs
Store: Chillipadi Melbourne Central
Site: Crowdmass
Complaint: Before the vouchers expires they already said they dont do nyonya buffet anymore, so everyone has to get the banquet.
Well i had the Nyonya buffet, i bet they dont have it anymore, coz it was really bad food. No one would want it.
Spreets - buyer beware.
I bought the deal on 4th Feb, was immediately charged, did not receive voucher, contacted spreets by email - no response to date. Called spreets - found number on white pages, only to hear a recorded msg saying send an email! Pretty embarrasing explaining to the gift recipient is stil "missing". I'm $79 poorer and have nothing to show for it. I'd say stick to the more reputitable sites like deals.com (zoupon), where you can log in and re print vouchers if needed.
Law,
Did you check your SPAM folder? A lot of times these emails get flagged as SPAM.
Can you log into your account and see if the vouchers are there?
Last time I bought on Spreets was mid 2010. I just tried logging in and was unable to and when clicking forgot my password it says my account does not exist. Fortunately, I still have my original emails but it seems they switched platforms recently (as stated on their FB page) and may have lost user accounts in the process (pure speculation).
Store: Rub a Dub Carwash
Site: Ouffer
Complaint: Left cobwebs on the outside of my car and dirt on the backseat and mats (this is without a full and proper inspection…which I didn't think I'd be having to do). When I rang about correcting this, they talked over the top of me (in poor English I might add) and eventually hung the phone up in my ear. Also waiting areas were FILTHY.
Now I'm waiting on a refund from Ouffer.
So Ouffer agree to credit my account with the money I spent on the voucher, and refund me the money spent on the second voucher. Not at all happy, as I should be getting a full refund, not a partial one.
To make matters worse, I have now discovered scratches in the outside of two of my car windows, clearly caused by one of those window wiper/squeedgy things that they use at carwashes. I have tried to contact the carwash, to no avail, as everything goes through to their answering service (which, I might add, is a 'Telstra Home Messaging 101 service').
Can't believe this is going to cost me to have not one but two windows repaired…window repairs should never ever be an issue!!!
Please, anyone, DO NOT EVER buy a carwash from here…they don't deliver what is promised (eg litter bags, car sanitisation and water), and they will RUIN your car as they have done to mine.
I'm also very two minded about buying anything from Ouffer again: when I called to ask for the manager's details, they said they would email me the details. What I got was a link to the company's website.
I bought two vouchers from jumponit.com under my name . I wanted to change one voucher to my mom's name, so I contacted them. They sent me the new voucher under my mom's name but also changed the expired date from six month valid to three months valid!! I contacted them and they insisted they were right. They said that all vouchers in my account were three months valid. I log in to checked and found out that all vouchers in my account have been changed the details. Luckily, I have copies of my previous vouchers with six months valid and sent to them via email. Eventually, they had to change the details back to six months. I think this incident was fraud because they logged in and change the details of my already purchased vouchers, to be differ from the original agreement. I really feel upset and feel afraid to buy any deals from this site again.
Care to post the pictures of both vouchers (before and after the expiry change)? Block out the voucher number and personal details.
You can host these at http://tinypic.com
We bought a deal for Piazza Navona (Melbourne) a while back, and it turns out my Mother in Law also bought us a deal for them (different offer though). Anyway, on Monday we decided we'd try and use one of them. We called their number several times per day, over several days, and no-one would answer. Eventually my wife got through to someone who she reckoned was pretending it was a wrong number (she even read back the correct number :D). Obviously this seemed fishy, so we checked the usual places (Urbanspoon, Eatability) which have reviews of people who have managed to use the deal but left utterly disappointed (one review likened the food to dog food….).
Needless to say we'll be contacting Deals.com.au for a full refund for this one…. beware if you have any.
They have bad reviews but my partner and I went there a few weeks ago on a Tuesday and it was fine. We didn't need to make a booking or anything.
Walked past last night and the place was closed. Last minute grab for cash perhaps.
Looks that way. We've contacted Deals in the City who fobbed us off with some daft excuse about the business being closed temporarily due to "bad weather". Err, no. We live very close to the place and there hasn't been any bad weather lately.
Anyway, OurDeal were more than happy to refund my mother-in-law's voucher, where as Deals in the City just replied with a condescending email. Guess who's not getting any more of our business :)
I have bought my deal via vowcha and both vowcha and piazza navona are closed. I am completely stuffed.
master1, Vowcha was renamed Smartie, http://smartie.com.au/melbourne.
Who is Smartie?
In early 2011 Vowcha was purchased by the Digital Performance Group a performance marketing group which is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Our members are smart shoppers as they are always on the lookout for a great deal. So when we purchased Vowcha, we decided to change the name to one that reflected our most import asset, our members.
I've sent a complaint to Our Deal - how long did it take them to respond to you?
In January 2011 I purchased 4 coupons through Scoopon for West Coast Auto Wash to "Get your car washed inside and out, Includes High Pressure Rinse, Hand Wash & Wax, Rims Cleaned, Tyres Shined, Cabin Vacuumed, Windows Cleaned & MORE!".
I rang 5 times leaving messages for someone to return my call & emailed them 3 times and did not hear back. I emailed Scoopon complaining & scoopon replied with " We were told they were just very busy due to the overwhelming response " and we were told to keep trying. I emailed West Coast Auto Wash again & told them to cancel the coupons & return my money. they rang me immediately apologising.
I still had problems with them making appointments to do the work then cancelling and it keeps going on and on. Today they finally arrive to do the cars and now I am told that they do not clean boots. the conditions don't state that they do or don't but I would have thought that vacuuming the car would mean all of it.
My family has also purchased other items through Scoopon & are still experiencing problems getting through to the people concerned.
Scoopon should not be allowed to sell so many coupons if these cannot be honored or redeemed within a reasonable time.
We purchased a 2 night stay for Mason Wines through Scoopon. The Mason Wines website shows availability for weekends but the proprietor continues to refuse to allow us to book a weekend, stating that all weekends are 'unavailable'. Scoopon released a second promotion for Mason Wines that overlapped with, and extended beyond, the original promotion when they knew we were in dispute with the deal provider over availability but allowed the second promotion to go ahead anyhow. Scoopon and Mason Wines have also failed to explain how the 2 night stay (which we purchased for $300) is worth the $1200 stated in the advertisement when the Mason Wines website states that a standard 2 night stay, for 2 people, is worth $500.
Scoopon have failed to respond to 80% of my emails and have tried to refuse my request for a refund, stating that the stay is 'subject to availability'. I have provided evidence that the deal provider is misleading us about true availability of the house but have not had a response from Scoopon. I have had to go to external arbitration (via the ACCC and the Office of Fair Trading Qld)in an attempt to secure a refund.
I agree that Scoopon should not be allowed to sell such large volumes of coupons as it is obvious that many customers are having difficulties redeeming them. I also believe that Scoopon should be compelled to provide a telephone service for customer complaints as their email service is a huge source of frustration for consumers, who often do not receive replies (especially not within the 48 hours that they claim they will respond within) and when they do, many are standardised replies that do not address the customers queries or complaints.
The terms and conditions of many deals are often vague and are thus open to interpretation, which is unacceptable given the large number of posts detailing actual and perceived breaches by deal providers, and/or refusal of refunds by Scoopon on the basis of these 'terms and conditions'. Scoopon needs to be compelled to provide consumers with greater certainty about what they are purchasing and better grounds for recourse when a deal goes wrong.
There's too many stories like this. Do something about it:
http://au.todaytonight.yahoo.com/contacts
http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/feedback.aspx
http://abc.com.au/contact/contactabc.htm
http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/
https://online.justice.vic.gov.au/forms-cav/GeneralEnquiry
I have contact ACA and TT before and from my experience they love it when they get a whole bunch of complaints about the same thing because it makes for a better story. Anyway the point is that maybe you could try and start something here on OzB and then contact ACA or TT together as one story. And good luck with your complaint, it is not right that they keep doing this.
Thanks articmonkey. I have lodged complaints with the ACCC and Office of Fair Trading and am waiting to hear back from them. Will consider media coverage, pendig the outcome of these two processes. Appreciate the support though!
Had a shockingly bad experience with Genesis Fitness recently. Purchased a voucher for 10 group fitness classes. Before buying I asked about the expiry date and was told that if at least one class was used before the expiry, the others could be used after. Called to book (as it stated on the voucher) and was told we'd have to come in 45min early for a fitness assessment. Went in and the person who was meant to meet us wasn't even working that way. The owner met us instead and tried (Rather pathetically) to get us to exchange the class passes for a discount on membership. She was really rude, not pushy and OTT like most gym salespeople. Just really dull and unenthusiastic - we had to ask her the questions about the gym.
3 weeks later we turn up for another class (by this time the voucher had expired by one day, but this wasn't meant to be an issue for us). They wouldn't allow us to enter the gym! They gave us some crappy excuse about our free trial having expired. When I explained (to the owner) that we didn't have any trial, we purchased a voucher, they tried to tell us that the conditions were that all 10 classes had to be used in one month (which was never written anywhere or ever said to us. Had an argument there and then with the owner. It was really bad, I've never seen someone with such bad customer skills. Didn't even suggest that since we were already at the gym we could go into the class for free, or even at full price. So we walked.
Contacted JumpOnIt and they were very good - they gave me a full refund plus some credits (because this whole ordeal had caused us considerable inconvenience (details of which I wont' go into here)). I really must commend them for their excellent service and prompt delivery (ie I got through to a person on the phone, not an answering machine. The money had been returned to my credit card the next day - not after a few weeks and follow up phonecalls - I'm looking at you DEALS.COM.AU!!!)
I then contacted Genesis' head office, just to let them know about what the state of the gym was like (because, aside from the bad treatment, the place looked very dirty and like it wasn't being run in accordance with the standards you'd expect from a well known gym franchise like Genesis). They took a few days to get back to me. Very apologetic, promised a few free passes to make up for it. Never got them OR any further contact.
So…sometimes even companies which might appear to be reputable, due to the number of their gyms, stores, or whatever, can be really…crap. I thought I'd be ok because Genesis is a fairly big gym company…but evidently not.
Though, again, I must thank JumpOnIt for their handling of the situation.
"not after a few weeks and follow up phonecalls - I'm looking at you DEALS.COM.AU!!!)"
Yep, their customer service is shocking.
my experience with them wasn't too painful. Had difficulty booking with Kedai Satay (in the forums somewhere) and they offered a $5 credit for the inconvenience. Managed to book with them earlier this week and the exceptions were suddenly added, e.g. does not include alcoholic drinks and no takeaway… :P
Well, looks like they've shut down, surprise surprise, as have Piazza Navone. That was a waste of money.
ME- Im glad to hear you have had better cutomer service from Jump-on-it, a quick resolution means you will probably use them again. I dont think Scoopon can count on my custom again with their crappy customer service.
I am due to have a baby in 2 weeks and have spent my afternoon filling in paper work for consumer protection, thanks for that Scoopon, like I dont have better things to be getting on with. Anyways the paperwork is completed and ready to post.
If anyone is considering class action or contacting a media outlet count me in, this problem should definately be made public knowledge. :)
Hi Scoopon-Buyer Beware,
If you could please advise the ticket ID from your email, we will ask our support leader to follow up your query as quickly as possible - if this has not already been completed.
Kind Regards,
Team Scoopon.
Only six weeks later!!
I would want to support this Class Action law suit against Scoopon. I have got one burned on Little Millow Restaurant (tried to contact over a month always no one answered) and from the look of it will got burned again on the Classic Car Wash Alexandria. These guys should be sued to the ground!
During the Little Minnow incident, i did not receive any email reply from the Scoopon Customer Service for almost a months. Just before it is expired then it got acknowledge… Very very shonky company. I am happy to see Scoopon got sued until bankrupt!
If you have a problem like that, I think it's better to go to consumer affairs.
I've seen people using lawyers to recoup and the terms and conditions can end up meaning,
unless you win a large sum through a court order by the judge, you will end up paying more money to the lawyers than you gain.
Settlements can lead to your lawyer charging you extra.
If you lose, you pay costs of other parties and possibly you will have been told by your lawyer it's time to pull out (so you've then finished the court case against their directions and they can ask for even more money from you)
If you go to another lawyer, you probably have to pay the first lawyer.
If you withdraw from the case, you have to pay your lawyer.
In the worst cases, the lawyers not only win the case, they then provide you with bills so high, they take everything that was awarded to you and then some.
This is based on observations and investigation into "No Win No Fee" lawyers.
Other lawyers can be very different.
Site: Zizzle
Deal: Dinner and show at the Tivoli Theatre Restaurant
Complaint: Was really shocked at this one. We had heard alot about this place and thought it was a good deal. The place looks, and is treated, like a school camp, where there are long communal tables. Two waitresses for the whole venue. Waited nearly an hour for the main course, which was tiny. It was of pub food standard…actually probably worse, and about 1/4 of the size you'd expect in a pub. We left halfway through what was meant to be a dancing/theatre show but ended up being half a stand up comedy routine. The "jokes" were disgustingly graphic, racist, homophobic, and anti-religious. Some were really quite offensive. To the point that we couldn't sit in the room anymore. Missed desert. NEVER again.
Mine is a positive remark after a bad purchase:
I purchased $250 worth of vouchers for a hair salon in Brisbane (through 3 different deal websites - Cudo, Spreets and Scoopon) - with one of the vouchers i was using just before my wedding. The hair salon shortly closed down with not 1 single word from them (i had made the booking a month before hand, obviously to lock in the date for my wedding hair make-over) - i only found out via facebook as they posted something up in their status, lucky i had 'liked' them 2 days before hand!
I contacted them directly (was so upset, as this was 1 week before my wedding, and was annoyed i would have to pay full price elsewhere for a colour/cut) and she said they wouldn't refund my purchased vouchers (but instead could swap it for hair products, bah!) and that i would have to travel from North Brisbane to the Gold Coast to use them at their other location, so i contacted each deals website and all 3 have since fully refunded my money.
Complete faith in those 3 deal websites!
bumpity bump
wow just by looking at the front page of the Group Buy Deal Discussion
15 out of 17 COMPLAINTS(not like introductions or news but complaints) are from scoopon
Everytime I come in here there are Scoopon complaints but 15/17? Wow!
perhaps an indication of market share?
So Scoopon has 15/17 (88%) of the group buying market?
I wouldn't have a clue… :)
The article on the C generation said that spreets, scoopon, jump on it and cudo hold a 79% share total.
I dont even know where to begin, I have bought a lot of vouchers over the past year or so and have come across many complaints / lack of voucher redemption or 2nd rate service due to voucher. All I can say is as they have gotten more popular the amount of companies that have started to reneg on their deals and just tell you to get a voucher because they are booked out or cant service any more people or who give you really crappy service has just increased dramatically. It has come to the point i have to question myself on whether or not it is worth buying vouchers anymore as they just cause too many problems and take up too much time trying to chase up businesses to make a booking months in advance or trying to convince them to honour the deal they have advertised or just chasing up refunds as the companies wont even honour the voucher full stop.
Might as well stick with deals like the entertainment book or just go to the restaurant you want to go to and when you want to go to and receive normal customer service as opposed to saving a few dollars and getting screwed over in all other aspects of the experience. I really do think its up to the voucher companies to push the businesses to honour the deals once they have sold those vouchers as i think a lot of business are now doing it to get free advertising / get their name out there and then they pull the plug half way through the deal or even before and just tell you to get a refund. IT is becoming too easy for them to say that. Meanwhile you have spent all this time chasing up the business / trying to organise your schedule around theirs and / or chasing up the refund. Plus the money that has been paid months ago for the voucher could have been accruing you interest through other means of investments.
The amount of refunds i am having to do lately is more than the vouchers i actually get redeemed.
I really think you should complain to your local consumer protection department about businesses when you have to get a refund.
What city do you live in??
I bought scoopons in WA- I won't name the company just yet- long story short can't use all the vouchers on the same day even if different people will be using them. The idea behind these scoopons is they want return business well the way they treat the customers with the scoopons that is not going to happen. NEVER BUY SCOOPONS- if something is too good to be true it usally is. I have also reported Scoopon to the ATO for failing to have a current ABN on the website. TO ALL BUSINESSES THAT ADVERTISE WITH SCOOPON- if you want return business be willing to honour the vouchers regardless. If you are flexible and compasionate towards customers with vouchers they will happy with your service and use you in future- if you don't do this be aware customer will write negitive reviews on line- that is not the kind of advertising anyone wants.
On a postive note: I recently had an our deal voucher at Blush Day Spa and I couldn't be happier with the service. I got a booking easily, the service was wonderful and I have continued to return to the day spa even without any coupons- that is what business should be hoping for and given good service will get.
Hi Tory,
Can you please advise if you have contacted our support team via [email protected] ?
If you have, you would have received a unique ticket ID (eg; ABC-123456). Can you please advise that ticket ID, so we can ask our support team to investigate your concerns as quickly as possible.
Kind Regards,
Team Scoopon.
Is there really a help centre at Scoopon? I've sent in numerous emails but none of you willing to response! Please kindly check your mail box and reply our query asap!!!!!
leanne, From my experience, at the very least you should get an automated email back from them. If you haven't, I suggest checking your SPAM folder.
Site: Scoopon
Deal:
"JUST RELEASED! Only $89 for an INCREDIBLE A-Glaze AUS+ Paint Protection and Sealant Treatment PLUS High Pressure Wash and Chamois Dry for your vehicle, normally $750! Protects paint and makes it super glossy, easy to clean, and UV resistant! You won’t BELIEVE the results!"
Date purchased: 8 Mar 2011
Date redeemed: 20 Apr 2011
Deal provider: West Coast Auto Wash
Summary:
In 1 hour West Coast Auto Wash (WCAW) washed and dried my car, applied the A-Glaze Paint Protection and applied a Rain Repelling treatment to windows. The car looked clean, but nothing out of the ordinary. I was surprised that a 30 minute A-Glaze application (if you factor out the wash,dry and rain treatment) could be worth $750. I then looked up the A-Glaze website (www.aglaze.com.au) and found out the paint protection treatment should take SEVERAL HOURS TO APPLY.
What have they sold me? Probably just an expensive carwash. I seriously doubt that I have received the proper A-Glaze paint protection treatment.
I wrote to Scoopon twice. Because I have redeemed the voucher already, there's nothing they can do.
I filed a claim with my credit card company. There's nothing they can do about the fact that I am disappointed with the service.
I've left several messages with West Coast Auto Wash - they haven't called back.
As always, buyer beware. I will no longer be buying Scoopons.
The WA dept of comsumer and employment protection is VERY proactive. You can quickly and easily file a complaint againt the business. If what you said is correct, then you have a moral duty to do so.
http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/ConsumerProtection/PDF/Forms/C…
Voteon
could you make a guide of how and where to complain to I wish to start writing mine.
Hey Liddleone.
Just download the form mentioned above and post it in. That really is all you need to do. I think you need to mention The Chimney amd tie it in with the blog post, highlighting how they choose not to refund even where there is a known overcharge.
Print it outr and attach it.
That blog post that you found on buckscoop was absolutely shocking!
I have a friend who is going to send in a compaint about the Chimney and Essential Beauty Morley, as well as (maybe) Rejuva/Elegant Touch and No 4 Claremont. All of those beauty places have changed their terms and conditions.
The WA dept of Commerce (formerly Dept of Consumer and employment protection are VERY proactive here in WA)
Seriously, how funny is it going to be when you have to write on the form that they refuse to divulge their phone number, their mailing address, that they do not issue tax invoices and that the ABN number on the website is incorrect and that they know it is incorrect and have done nothing to correct it? Their heads will be spinning before they even get to the actual complaint!
It'll take you about 20 minutes to fill out the form. You should keep a copy and maybe send one to Today Tonight, who you say is interested in the story.
I'll urge my friend to get off the stick and do hers.
Hi liberdee,
Just wanted to check in to see if you have had this issue resolved by our support team?
If you have contacted the email address [email protected] you would have received an auto-response with your unique ticket ID (eg; ABC-123456). Can you please advise that ticket ID, so we can ask our support team to respond to your inquiry as quickly as possible.
Kind Regards,
Team Scoopon.
What is the point of this message from Scoopon? If you have read the comments and stories here and on other discussion sites you will know that most of us have just been brushed off by your Customer Service and that Scoopon responds to inquiries by telling us Scoopon is not reponsible. What I would like you to tell us here and in writing is exactly what Scoopon gives us in exchange for the money it takes from customer. You seem to be selling a chance that a buyer might get something IF the seller does not go out of business or change the terms or decide that all possible appointment days and times are booked out until the expiry date of the voucher.
Please explain!
I don't feel comfortable about posting the reporters details here but this is the contact form initially used. http://www.7perth.com.au/view/today-tonight/contact-today-to…
Spreet Promotion: Diamond House Cleaning was not honoured. I voiced my concern to Spreets within the 1st week of the offer - the email received on 30 March from Spreets indicating this was a valid offer, just be patient. After many, many phone calls I found out the 'call centre for Diamond House Cleaning was in the PHILIPPINES, they took my booking and I made an appointment for Saturday 7 May… I phoned on the Friday prior to confirm the booking- I was assured a cleaner would be at my home between 10 - 11.00am … on Saturday 7 May no one turned up. I phoned several times on the Saturday only to be told the cleaner was booked and on her way. . . Well Surprise, Surprise - I now hear the vouchers will NOT BE HONOURED.
Jacky, Mar-30 14:40 (EST):
Hi Spreeter -
Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience caused.
We understand your frustration but please understand that the business will need to cater for both Spreets customers and their regular walk in customers and they do so by allocating a certain number of Spreets customers and their walk in customers for each day. However, we cannot confirm any of the dates or times that customers can have as it all depends on if they call the business in time to make the booking.
All our vouchers have a validation time frame and this is stipulated in our fine print for the deal on the website and in the voucher email that you will receive and that they are subject to availability. We are also confident that everyone will be able to redeem the vouchers in time because we will have a limit on the amount of vouchers sold to ensure that everyone will be catered for.
Please let us know if you are still having issues and we will look into it as soon as possible. We are also happy to offer you Spreets credit equivalent to the cost paid for the vouchers should you wish to cancel the vouchers so that you can use it on other great deals that we have to offer.
Should you wish for the Spreets credits, please make an account with us if you haven’t already and inform us in detail about the deal and we will process it as soon as possible.
Kindest regards,
Jacky
Swanning, Mar-28 17:02 (EST):
I am concerned I have been unable to make contact on 1800 342 666 - I
have phoned at least 40 times at different times of the day.
Is this a legitimate offer.
Spreet Promotion: Diamond House Cleaning was not honoured. I voiced my concern to Spreets within the 1st week of the offer - the email received on 30 March from Spreets indicating this was valid offer, just be patient. After many, many phone calls I found out the 'call centre for Diamond House Cleaning was in the Philippines, they took my booking and I made an appointment for Saturday 7 May… I phoned on the Friday prior to confirm the booking … on Saturday 7 May no one turned up. I phoned several times on the Saturday only to be told the cleaner was booked and on her way. . . Well Surprise, Surprise - I now hear the vouchers will NOT BE HONOURED.
Jacky, Mar-30 14:40 (EST):
Hi Spreeter -
Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience caused.
We understand your frustration but please understand that the business will need to cater for both Spreets customers and their regular walk in customers and they do so by allocating a certain number of Spreets customers and their walk in customers for each day. However, we cannot confirm any of the dates or times that customers can have as it all depends on if they call the business in time to make the booking.
All our vouchers have a validation time frame and this is stipulated in our fine print for the deal on the website and in the voucher email that you will receive and that they are subject to availability. We are also confident that everyone will be able to redeem the vouchers in time because we will have a limit on the amount of vouchers sold to ensure that everyone will be catered for.
Please let us know if you are still having issues and we will look into it as soon as possible. We are also happy to offer you Spreets credit equivalent to the cost paid for the vouchers should you wish to cancel the vouchers so that you can use it on other great deals that we have to offer.
Should you wish for the Spreets credits, please make an account with us if you haven’t already and inform us in detail about the deal and we will process it as soon as possible.
Kindest regards,
Jacky
Swanning, Mar-28 17:02 (EST):
I am concerned I have been unable to make contact on 1800 342 666 - I
have phoned at least 40 times at different times of the day.
Is this a legitimate offer.
At least they are offering credit. I say take it.
Take the credit as you may not get anything else for your money!
I made an appointment at King Edward Salon in Richmond a few weeks ago and confirmed what I was to have done at the time. I called back today to confirm my appointment for next week only to be told that they will not be honouring what I purchased. At the time of purchase (as shown on the spreets website) the deal was for a full head of foils OR a full colour OR a half head of foils and a full colour. When the voucher came through after purchase it only said Full head of foils OR Full colour. When I made the appointment I told them that I wanted the colour and foils but I have been told today they will not do that. Now I don't know what to do as my sister and I are going to Cairns for her 30th birthday and the plan was to have our hair done before we go. Now if I ask for a refund it will probably take weeks and we are going to have to pay full price elsewhere. I am so p….d off with the salon, but not really surprised after everything I have read on here. Oh and just incase you missed it the salon is KING EDWARD SALON, Church Street, Richmond.
I have repeated this comment as I want everyone to know that KING EDWARD SALON are not honouring their deal.
I believe this is the deal you are referring to. http://spreets.com.au/deal/Melbourne/day-spa-and-beauty/854/…
Full head of foils or full head permanent colour or full head permanent colour and half head of foils ($135)
It appears to be a typo and more than likely Spreet's fault. 2 of them are the same thing. I'm no hair expert but if you are getting a full head of foils then you wouldn't want a half head of foils additionally, unless you have 1.5 heads (not a Tasmanian deal).
What did Spreets say?
EDIT: Duplicate question sorry.
I am originally from Tassie actually. What I am wanting is the 1/2 head foils and full colour. The salon is saying I can only have a full head of colour OR a full head of foils. Have not contacted Spreets yet, as I am not sure what I should do, as I could just get the colour as it is still cheap.
Did you get a response from Spreets? What did they say?
How are two of them the same thing?
Options are:
1. Full head permanent colour
2. Full head foils
3. Full head permanent colour + half head foils
The above would be true if there was a comma or period at the end of the first full head permanent color.
It is written:
(X OR Y OR Z) AND Q
Your interpretation (which may be correct):
(X OR Y) OR (Z AND Q)
Cholden's voucher says:
X OR Y
Reminds me of http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/42997.
ohhh fair enough I see what you mean - missed this little technicality! (I didn't know how to reply to your post, Neil, as there was no reply button there!)
It is number 3 that she wants and that she is entitled to. I think you should get a full colour and then make a complaint to spreets. Alternatively, print out the advert and see if they will do it for you on the day.
I'm having a horrid time getting a refund from scoopon. Bought 10 scoopons for a full day off-shore fishing trip but was played out BIG TIME by the skipper.
This was what happened..
Firstly, it was supposed to be a Full 9HR(5am-2pm) charter as stated on the fine print but even before confirming the trip the rogue skipper cut it down to 7HR(7am-2pm). claims he need more time to prepare the boat in the morning yet he was unwilling to extend the trip coz he wanted to watch football!!
Give and take. Fine we'll live with it.
The day prior to the fishing, skipper called to confirmed the trip. "Weather forecast is good" he said. Alright, so most of the chaps proceed to book themselves into a nearby hotel to save the hassle of having to drive 2 hrs down to the harbour the next morning.
The next day, skipper rang us up 50mins prior to departure.."I'm afraid the trip gotta cancel due strong winds". Now take note, we DID check the weather forecast when he gave us the go-ahead for the trip and the forecast was the same as the day itself when he called to cancel. So why the conflicting decision and why notify us 50mins prior to departure? Everybody had either booked into a hotel the night before or almost completed their 2 hours drive down from home! We also checked with the coast guard at the harbour and the verdict was the weather was fine and lotsa boats were already out. Straightaway we rang the skipper but he refused to answer so we left him a message and informed him what the coast guard had told us. In the end, skipper still did not call back. He left a sms telling us to respect his decision because he had decided it was unsafe. That's it? Just like that??!!
So because of this extremely last minute and conflicting decision of his, 10 of us had to waste unnecessary money on hotels and 4 hours worth of fuel driving to and fro.
the best part had yet to come… Weeks after that we came across the charter's facebook page. Guess what, an album of a fishing trip was published on the very same day that the skipper played us out! Superb!
I filed a case(DEL-722526) with scoopon but this is all i get..
"We appreciate your feedback as we are always working toward offering our customers an optimum experience. We have passed your feedback to the Sales Executive and can assure you that they will follow this up.
As Scoopon are not directly involved with the redemption process, we kindly direct you back to the deal provider in order to communicate your feedback and gain resolution.
We would suggest that you request to speak with deal provider management regarding these comments.
Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us."
20 days had passed since the last email and still no follow-up.
40 days had passed since my first email sent out.
I am now reviewing my rights as a consumer and seriously considering whether to chase scoopon for a simple refund(which seemed like eternity) or pursue with further compensations(legal actions perhaps?). What do u guys think?
Again - is it really worth 'saving' on a Scoopon when that is the treatment you get from both the operator and Scoopon?
Sounds like you would've been better off paying normal price and getting a reliable vendor.
I've just wrote in to ACCC
we'll see how it goes from here
lol yeah i'd be chasing up more than a refund. That's appalling!
I've never used a group buy thing because this kind of stuff is what i've suspected since the beginning - sub par service and the availability of bookings. Looks like i was right and looks like i'll steer clear.
Finally after a long long wait I got money back.
Not sure if it's the outcome of writing to ACCC or is it because there's a scoopon rep out here noting down our complaints.
To those who are still chasing your refunds, dun give up so easily yeah
I too have had the same miserable experience with Schoopons lack of customer service. Their standard reply/default setting seems to be "Don't bother us." I see that others have also received this gem of a meaningless sentence
"As Scoopon are not directly involved with the redemption process, we kindly direct you back to the deal provider in order to communicate your feedback and gain resolution."
This is pointless when the problem is that the service provider has vanished or gone out of business. Scoopon takes the money and charges my credit card but refuses to accept any responsibility. I note that someone from Scoopon keeps popping up here asking people if they have contacted Scoopon customer service. What most people are complaining if is that when we do complain we just get a brushoff.
I have one more thing to warn others about. I bought a Scoopon deal and also forwarded the email to my sister. She decided to buy and clicked on the link in the email. Nothing happened so eventually she went to the Scoopon site herself and bought the deal. Later we discovered that her first purchase had been processed BUT WAS CHARGED TO MY CREDIT CARD! As the scoopon was one per person I can't use the second purchase but Scoopon refuses to give a refund. To add to my woes I have used my purchase and the service was very low quality. I won't be dealing with Scoopon again.
How is this possible?
Is the voucher in your account or your sister's account?
I've bought things from Scoopon before and I know that you have to enter your credit card details in every time you buy something.
In any case, i'm pretty sure that you can give your vouchers to other people? can you get them to change the name maybe?
I have been told by Mamaca's Kitchen that they cannot honour a voucher [that has not yet expired] before its expiry date.
I have since been told by Scoopon that they cannot help and that I should've booked earlier!
So it's my fault that Mamaca's is too full to give me a meal which I've already paid for, and which Scoopon took the money for…
I really wonder what my options are - but to say that I'm unhappy is an understatement!
Store: Mamaca Kitchen
Site: Scoopon
Date: 20/06/2011
Complaint: Mamaca Kitchen is fully booked and left out a lot of customers paid for nothing, including me.
Site: Scoopon
Business: Evoque Plus (Brighton)
Deal: one hour massage, two facials, manicures and pedicures
Complaint: massage was 45 minutes at most. Throughout the massage the therapist was talking to me, even making condescending comments about my skin. Not at all relaxing. The manicure and pedicure were not the quality expected in a salon, more like something a 6 year old would do when playing with their parents makeup - I had to fix sharp edges and leftover filings and wash the splashed polish off my fingers. No top or base coat was used, cuticles not shaped. Facial left my face burning and with pimples. I was forced to lay in an very uncomfortable position for the pedicure. VERY unhappy.
Have you made a complaint?
If not, then it is pointless complaining on a forum and taking no action. If yes, then it's good you told us about your experience so we can avoid both companies.
Yes, I've sent an email to Scoopon.
I didn't want to complain to the staff at the salon when I had the massage, because I knew I'd be going back for a second appointment (for the facial, manicure and pedicure) and didn't want to risk bad treatment because of my complaint.
Good work. Hopefully you get a satisfactory response from Scoopon. Please keep us updated.
I just got an email from Scoopon promising me a refund. I am both surprised and happy that they have gotten back to me so quickly and dealt with the matter in an appropriate manner, and that I have not had to go through any arguments like other people on this site seem to have had to go through. From my experience (and I speak as someone whose refund is pending) I can only say that this has been easy and trouble free. I have no complaints to make about Scoopon from here.
Site: Scoopon
Business: The Wine Underground (Adelaide)
Deal: lunch deal
Complaint:
Scoopon is definitely a scam… there are so many complaints on the Web and in particular here on OzBargain!
I too was ripped off with one of their deals. It was for lunch at the Wine Underground in Adelaide. The deal was for lunch(12-3pm) Mon - Sat. Given that I work on weekdays I could only redeem it on a Saturday… which I thought should be easy enough to do… Man was I wrong!
I tried making a booking with them around 5 times on numerous occasions over several months… each time I was firstly asked if I had a Scoopon voucher and on replying "Yes" I was told that they were fully booked out!
I will be advising everyone I know to stay well away from Scoopon. I will also be considering taking this matter to the ACCC.
I have provided the correspondence below for anyone thinking of buying anything from these dodgy guys:
.
Thank you for your email.
We’ve had a lot of back and forth with Fair Trading and after all that, we can confidently say that we’ve acted within our rights in denying a refund.
Each customer is responsible for the use of their Scoopon, including redemption. We can certainly help you out when possible, but securing a booking in the last week or two of a 6 or 12 month redemption period is cutting it extremely close.
At this stage, we’re nearly at the end of the validity period. We regret that you didn’t redeem your Scoopon in line with our Terms and Conditions, but we can’t take on accountability for slim booking availability in the final weeks. With this in mind, we must deny your refund request.
We understand that this isn’t ideal for you but we hope you can see where we’re coming from.
Should you have any further queries, please feel free to contact us.
Kind Regards,
Samantha
Team Scoopon
Hi Samantha,
FYI, I did not leave it till the last week or month before the expiry date. I have tried on numerous occasions to redeem this voucher from when I purchased it. It seems as soon as the Deal Providers hear that we have a Scoopon voucher they treat us differently. I have had this issue with numerous other deals purchased from you guys! I am pretty sure that in this particular case, the Deal Provider only allows a certain number of Scoopon vouchers per day (especially on weekends), and provide preference to normal customers over us Scoopon members. It is nowhere stated on your website or vouchers that this will occur.
You can not expect to sell us vouchers which the provider can not or is not willing to provide. Where is this money going if the vouchers are not redeemed? If you take a look at my account you can see I have purchased around 11 vouchers from you guys and as a loyal customer I think you would appreciate the fact that I would expect a more compassionate response than you stating you are well within your legal rights to refuse a refund.
Could you please reconsider refunding this voucher?
Thank you for your email.
We have passed on your details to the deal provider as they said they might be able to assist you in redeeming your voucher despite the expiration date.
We have asked our deal partner to contact you directly in order to resolve your query as quickly as possible.
Should you have any further queries, please feel free to contact us.
Kind Regards,
Samantha
Team Scoopon
Hi Samantha,
I have not yet heard from The Wine Underground.
FYI, when I tried making my last couple of bookings, they said that they were booked out, at which I complained to them that I had been trying to use the voucher several times now and that each time they were telling me that they were full and couldn't fit me in. They told me someone would contact me to discuss this and try to fit me in. I have never received a call to this day.
This is why I contacted you guys! I am highly doubtful they will contact me as you mention in your email.
Thank you for your email.
We confirm that yesterday we passed them your details. We kindly suggest you to allow them more time to get in touch with you.
Should you have any further queries, please feel free to contact us.
Kind Regards,
Samantha
Team Scoopon
Hi Samantha,
Just wondering how much more time you would like me to allow for these guys to get in touch?
Thank you for your email.
We kindly advise that our support team needs to be advised of any issues that you may be having in redeeming your Scoopon, as soon as you begin to have troubles. We first received contact from yourself just 2 days prior to the expiry, which has not allowed us sufficient time to find a resolution for you. Once the validity period of the voucher has lapsed, we are not able to assist in providing booking help, and are unable to offer a refund of the now void voucher.
Unfortunately, once a Scoopon has expired, Scoopon is unable to assist in providing a refund of your purchase.
Once the expiry date has been reached, the deal provider is not obligated to honour your voucher.
Scoopon is unable to force a deal provider to accept your voucher, as it no longer carries any value once the validity period has finished.
Should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind Regards,
Max
Team Scoopon
Hi Everyone!
It saddens us all to hear about these complaints coming from some of the bigger "daily deals" players - you almost think when they get big, they don't care any more and the only thing driving them is more $$$$$$!
Understandably they are not limiting the number of vouchers sold and this is where the biggest problem is. Also, can i suggest to anyone that has purchased an over-sold restaurant deal when booking DO NOT SAY YOU HAVE A VOUCHER - just book and after you table is confirmed, say "Thanks for confirming my table, oh also, I have a voucher from……." surprise them and see if they discriminate then!
They can't NOT accept it - its a valid voucher and you can always argue why you have been treated differently when you have - It's not fair!!! If they do a deal, they must follow through and treat you as good as the full-paying customer otherwise - why do a deal?
Smart buyers are now NOT buying when they see the sales volumes too large - Smart and good for those who are becoming more savvy!
I work for ikOala - yes ikOala is not the biggest (or smallest) daily deals website however I have approved and paid out refunds to customers who expressed concern and legitimate complaints. (You all should really experience the ikOala difference!!)
Our team is focused on 100% member service - after all, we can get deals from anywhere but without members, there is is no business.
As an opportunity to make good for all the bad that has come from these other, inconsiderate daily deals companies - we will offer EVERYONE a FREE $30 INSTANT credit should you join our ikOala website and community -
TO GET YOUR $30 (SORRY FOR THE OTHERS) INSTANT CREDIT simply follow these steps:
Your account will automatically load with $30 when you complete your registration and best of all - that credit doesn't expire and you are not obliged to buy!
Not sure if you all know, ikOala is relaunching all of its website and will have Everyday Deals, Kids Deals, Travel Deals and Business 2 Business deals.
We do NOT oversell any of our vouchers and "Cap" sales based on the type of offer.
ALL THE BEST TO EVERYONE OUT THERE AND HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE IKOALA SIDE OF LIFE!
Thank you!
Samuel from ikOala!
www.ikoala.com.au
www.ikoalaeveryday.com.au
www.ikoalakids.com.au
www.ikoalabusiness.com.au
THIS OFFER IS EXPIRED - THANK YOU!
Site: Scoopon
Business: D'artagnan Restaurant (North Adelaide)
Deal: Dinner and Wine
Complaint:
I purchased a voucher according for dinner and wine at D'artagnan restaurant in North Adelaide. Big mistake! I called to make a booking on a Friday evening and was told that they had a table available for 6:30pm. Then as per the condition of the voucher I let the person know that I had a Scoopon voucher and was then be told that they did not have availability. When I asked why I was just told that there was availability and was given a time I was told that there was no more availability for Scoopon customers and was refered to the condition 'subject to availability'.
My complaint is that as a customer I understood that to mean that if the restaurant wasnt available such as being full I would have to wait, which is understandable. It is my understanding that if there are tables available I can use my voucher. However, the restaurant itself has put their own spin on it to say that they get to choose how many vouchers they will accept on an evening. Where was this stipulated in the terms and conditions?? Unfortunately Scoopon have been a lot less than helpful in resolving this saying to make a booking another time but of course when I try I get the same line… sorry we have booked out for vouchers tonight (although there are tables still available).
Seems to be a common theme - but this restaurant does take a lot of scoopons each night.
Maybe they were very close to being booked out and would have made a effort to squeeze in another table, when they found out you were a budget scooponer they wouldn't.
We only booked last week and had no problem getting a table for 4 using 2 scoopons. Anyway we went tonight (Monday) it was packed, every table was in use, all but 2 were using scoopons.
The food and wine were brilliant, service A+, we also bought coffees, side dishes and a few beers, highly recommended.
Avoid peak times (Fri/Sat), book within a couple of weeks of getting a voucher and using coupons is easy. Otherwise tables are less likely to be available.
Hi kwidjibo,
May I ask if you have contacted our Customer Service Team via [email protected] ?
We have not received any complaints regarding this Deal Provider, so we are keen to clear up any confusion as quickly as possible to ensure that you are able to enjoy your Scoopon experience.
If you have already sent an email to the above address, can you please advise your ticket number? So that I may pass this on to the support crew.
Kind Regards,
Team Scoopon.
Ticket Number #NPB-558798. It would be great to use this voucher without having the post sale restriction imposed.
Link to complaint summary
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AmZdO-XjBpO2dER2bk1…