Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable?

Reply to Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable? on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 09:05:13 GMT

limlim — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 09:05:13 GMT

Oppsgal:

Will there be extra charges?

what extra charges?

Paypal is free. Guess seller pay them a commission or something..

Reply to Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable? on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 05:56:14 GMT

Oppsgal — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 05:56:14 GMT

limlim:
Some comments.

I bought 2 items from them before. The 1st one is a sand art kit. I went to the outlet and they say OOS. I request that they delivery and they acceded to the request. It was delivered by Singpost via registered mail. No issues, so I suppose their service is ok.

The 2nd item, is a gyro bowl. This item, the collection date was delayed and I could not give it to my friend who was here on visit. I was quite disappointment and I demanded a refund. They acceded to the request too.. so no issues and I got the refund.

My advise to parents is, whenever possible, for online shopping, use Paypal if available. Else, if no choice, credit card. If bank transfer is the only option, usually I wouldn't consider buying.

If using paypal, just open a dispute and request refund. If not resolve, escalate to a claim, and let paypal handle.

If using credit card, call the bank see what they can do lor.. but I doubt it is much use coz you authorized the payment. They act on your instruction and it is between you and the vendor to resolve it.

If bank transfer.. there's practically nothing you can other then trying to reach the vendor and demand a refund,. If you can't find them...... like what 3B suggested.. make police report lor.. If the vendor vanished.. I doubt case is of any use.

Will there be extra charges?

Reply to Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable? on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 05:05:39 GMT

GLORYmum — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 05:05:39 GMT

I have had good experiences with F&B at Groupon but the worst and most horrible experience was with their Air Con deal rendered by dishonest vendor.

I bought the more expensive Air Con cleaning deal which included basic and vacuum cleaning. After numerous no-show appointments, two guys from the cleaning service company finally turned up. They brought with them a small bag with cloth and lubricants, no vacuums commonly used by professionals were anywhere seen (they later claimed that their vacuum was malfunctioned on the day of our appointment).

After taking a look at the compressor, they claimed that it is spoilt and will require repair. We did not buy their story so insisted they performed the service stated on the voucher which we have bought that includes cleaning, lubricating, inspection and vacuuming.

A few weeks passed and our AC became NOT COLD. we engaged a professional AC technician to have a look at our AC and to our utmost shock, the cause of the problem was because a starter was not in place at all. We called up the cleaning service guy and he admitted that he had taken our starter without our knowledge because he had thought that we wanted to repair it.

My goodness, we were shocked because we had never agreed to engage their repair service and at no point during the cleaning service had we allowed them to take away anything from our house.

The damage cost S$ 100.

We have since gotten a refund from Groupon for the deal due to the unsatisfactory service and horrendous attitude of their vendor. But Groupon ignored our claim for the damage which had cost S$100 by replying "Groupon has refunded your vouchers for the aircon service on xxxx. I think it would be better to contact the merchant regarding the item that was taken out of your air conditioner."

BY the way, the guy from the service company was rude and unacceptable and rather insulting because he repeatedly reminded us not to expect much from a cheap deal.

Reply to Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable? on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 04:52:03 GMT

MMM — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 04:52:03 GMT

Zann:
Just wondering how the online store manage to sell at big discount (such as 50% - 80%! for skin care product )compare to getting the same item from the actual store at shopping mall.

Yah for skincare products, I realised that even staff purchase for some of those products, the discount is also not that much like the shops claimed... But I suppose they source from different countries (eg where they position their brand at a lower level and hence cheaper???).

Clothes and bags I understand as US and Europe are really good for those.... Just saw the coach bag promo on groupon? coach going at S$329+. I bought the same bag for my mum in our recent US trip for not more than S$150... In fact, there was a branded bag sales at suntec when we just came back from US and those sales price are still easily almost 100% of the US outlet....

Reply to Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable? on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 04:41:16 GMT

limlim — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 04:41:16 GMT

Zann:
Just wondering how the online store manage to sell at big discount (such as 50% - 80%! for skin care product )compare to getting the same item from the actual store at shopping mall.

A lot of false advertising lah..

e.g. 50% off RRP! pay only $100 for $200 item..

If you go walk ard, most store sell at $100 actually..

something like that..

For some, they are actually selling free samples.. (e.g. SKII etc..)

The real good deals, I guess, are usually overseas products. Local store tend to markup too high..

Reply to Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable? on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 02:41:56 GMT

pinky — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 02:41:56 GMT

Zann:
Just wondering how the online store manage to sell at big discount (such as 50% - 80%! for skin care product )compare to getting the same item from the actual store at shopping mall.

parallel importer?
maybe made in different countries?
I have seen cookies, chocolates and even drinks under the same brand but made in different countries.

Reply to Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable? on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 02:31:48 GMT

Zann — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 02:31:48 GMT

Just wondering how the online store manage to sell at big discount (such as 50% - 80%! for skin care product )compare to getting the same item from the actual store at shopping mall.

Reply to Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable? on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 02:21:44 GMT

Zann — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 02:21:44 GMT

just afraid that if we let these scam rest like that due to individual "small amount" there will be more to come. So best is we as consumers don’t buy from them and they should soon die off themselves.

So far only tried some food coupons from Groupon and was ok (meaning coupons are real) but lately find their promotion not as good as it first started so stop buying. Always read the details, call up to check if it is genuine before buying and use the coupon asap.

Reply to Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable? on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:47:14 GMT

Nebbermind — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:47:14 GMT

I would always be wary of any ‘outlet’ store…u can’t never be certain if the goods are factory rejects, over-run, customer refunds or plain imitations…

of course, that depends on what u r buying!

Reply to Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable? on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 09:52:21 GMT

Lilac66 — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 09:52:21 GMT

Groupon is quite reliable…so far. I’ve bought items from ebay using Paypal. When there was a dispute about the item, I just escalated into a claim like what limlim mentioned, and it was refunded to me. No issues at all.

Reply to Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable? on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 09:30:47 GMT

limlim — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 09:30:47 GMT

Some comments.

I bought 2 items from them before. The 1st one is a sand art kit. I went to the outlet and they say OOS. I request that they delivery and they acceded to the request. It was delivered by Singpost via registered mail. No issues, so I suppose their service is ok.

The 2nd item, is a gyro bowl. This item, the collection date was delayed and I could not give it to my friend who was here on visit. I was quite disappointment and I demanded a refund. They acceded to the request too… so no issues and I got the refund.

My advise to parents is, whenever possible, for online shopping, use Paypal if available. Else, if no choice, credit card. If bank transfer is the only option, usually I wouldn’t consider buying.

If using paypal, just open a dispute and request refund. If not resolve, escalate to a claim, and let paypal handle.

If using credit card, call the bank see what they can do lor… but I doubt it is much use coz you authorized the payment. They act on your instruction and it is between you and the vendor to resolve it.

If bank transfer… there’s practically nothing you can other then trying to reach the vendor and demand a refund,. If you can’t find them… like what 3B suggested… make police report lor… If the vendor vanished… I doubt case is of any use.

Reply to Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable? on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 09:24:23 GMT

MdmKS — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 09:24:23 GMT

Oppsgal:
Go CASE make report? Heard from husband that one of colleagues also buy item not deliver.

is it the same one? Here, it seems that on-line stores can come and go easily.

Reply to Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable? on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 09:16:55 GMT

Oppsgal — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 09:16:55 GMT

Go CASE make report? Heard from husband that one of colleagues also buy item not deliver.

Reply to Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable? on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 09:00:11 GMT

3Boys — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 09:00:11 GMT

MdmKS:
MdmKS:
Bought a electrical appliance with Outlet.com recently but they keep changing the date of collection. Reason: good delay. Should I continue to trust them and wait or what can I do to protect my deal? Would appreciate KSPs kind advice. Thanks.

:sad: It really turns out to be a SCAM!!!

Outlet.com is a con internet store !!! They are GONE! They never delivery the good I purchased.

http://www.outlet.com.sg/feature-business

Their trick : make it cheap to attack you but with a far delivery date and by then your payment has been made by your credit company. And you are not likely to go after them for that small amount. But many small amount add up to big income to them.

During delivery date they continue to delay \"shipment\" and not answering phone call. The email return of all enquiry are just pre-programme with standard msg.

Any action possible now? advice anyone?

Sorry to hear that. CASE I guess, or police report?

Reply to Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable? on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 08:54:38 GMT

MdmKS — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 08:54:38 GMT

MdmKS:
Bought a electrical appliance with Outlet.com recently but they keep changing the date of collection. Reason: good delay. Should I continue to trust them and wait or what can I do to protect my deal? Would appreciate KSPs kind advice. Thanks.

:sad: It really turns out to be a SCAM!!!

Outlet.com is a con internet store !!! They are GONE! They never delivery the good I purchased.

http://www.outlet.com.sg/feature-business

Their trick : make it cheap to attack you but with a far delivery date and by then your payment has been made by your credit company. And you are not likely to go after them for that small amount. But many small amount add up to big income to them.

During delivery date they continue to delay \"shipment\" and not answering phone call. The email return of all enquiry are just pre-programme with standard msg.

Any action possible now? advice anyone?

Reply to Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable? on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 07:17:46 GMT

Gems — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 07:17:46 GMT

Groupon is trustable. So far we have bought many food discount coupons.

Reply to Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable? on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 01:56:37 GMT

Oppsgal — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 01:56:37 GMT

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=26254&start=120

Got a link, can read here for more?

Reply to Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable? on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 09:34:12 GMT

limlim — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 09:34:12 GMT

Should be ok… as it is based locally…

if not comfortable, can ask them to refund. Bcoz they failed to fulfill their part of the obligation (original collection date), so you have a right to demand refund and cancel the order.

Reply to Internet discount deal (Groupon/Outlet...), trustable? on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 08:45:12 GMT

shinri — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 08:45:12 GMT

I dunno about Outlet.com but so far Groupon & Deal.com.sg is still trustworthy.