Complaint Review: Groupon Inc. - Internet

Groupon has a duty to protect it's customers. It's good reputation is based on the fact that it screens businesses before they are allowed to post deals on groupon. Groupon should have done due diligence and found out the many different aliases that Great Value Vacations operates under, The Lawsuit brought against Sceptre Tours by the DOJ, the F rating with the BBB and other fraudulent activity by said company under alias names.Not only should groupon no longer associate with said company, but said company should be barred from the travel industry entirely.Groupon needs to practice what it preaches within it's A+ BBB rating as well as its groupon promise and customer protection motto.

A full refund of the trip (November 2014) totaling $3558.48  ($2798 through Groupon) is not only requested but it is mandatory that Groupon practice good will and make a statement to other would be fraudulent companies that would try to do business on groupon. Groupon must only promote reputable companies and not misrepresent them or the deals they represent.

I purchased the Groupons on May 29th and was strong arm pressured into redeemed them on May 30th with the affiliated company Great Value Vacations which has several aliases with hundreds of outstanding complaints including Sceptre Tours, Dan Dooley Vacations, Aer Lingus and Global Consolidated Services (GCS Ltd). The business identity was misrepresented. Would groupon have made public knowledge that the company was actually Sceptre Tours I would never have made the booking with them.

Reviews were misrepresented on the groupon deal page. I actually thought the positive comments from Fodors were for the travel agent or that specific deal. That was not the case it was a general review on Rome and Tuscany, but was misleading.

The fine print and terms were changed. On several occasions I tried to access the groupon page after making an initial complaint with the company. As evidenced by different fine print terms on previous same groupons by the company Great Value Vacations, additional fees verbiage was included after the terms were modified.

groupon.com/deals/ga-great-value-vacations-rome-tuscany-venice

groupon.com/deals/ga-great-value-vacations-rome-tuscany-venice-1

Misrepresentation of the groupon promise.

"What Makes this Getaway Great”

Groupon-Exclusive Discounts. We negotiate directly with hotels and tour operators to get you the deepest discount available -- as only Groupon can.Handpicked Travel. Our travel experts and writers research every getaway for you.Booking Guarantee. If the merchant is unable to book the stay you want during the available dates and before the book-by date, we'll refund your purchase."

Misrepresentation of Price - The $1999 value was actually only $1450 when priced out separately for single passenger. Hence the $1399 price is not that great of a savings and is a blunt lie of the $1999 value.

groupon.com/groupon-promise

"The Groupon Promise”

We're confident in your Groupon experience and back it with the Groupon Promise.

We always want you to have a great experience with Groupon. That's why we have the Groupon Promise. If you use a Groupon voucher before its promotional value expires, take a Getaways trip, or attend a GrouponLive event and are disappointed by your experience, we'll work with you to make it right or give you a refund.

In addition to our Groupon Promise, we will always honor your refund requests if a business closes permanently, an event is canceled or rescheduled, or a business refuses to accept your unredeemed Groupon voucher. We also have the following standard refund policies:

Getaways:

If you purchase a Getaways voucher and the merchant is unable to book the stay you want during the available dates and before the book-by date, we'll refund your purchase.

If the book-by date passes and you haven't yet booked your trip, the promotional value is no longer valid but your voucher is still worth what you paid for it. You may use the paid value as a credit with the merchant toward the advertised experience only, unless the advertised experience is no longer available.