For a year, Josh Stevens says he will live on nothing but Groupons. The online coupon company came up with the Groupon challenge promotion earlier this year. Groupon put up $ 100,000 to see if somebody was willing to survive off nothing but Groupon coupons for a year. Stevens took them up on it. Living life as the “Groupawn,” he’s about a quarter of the way through his year of travelling the country chasing Groupon deals for his basic needs. In Stevens’ Groupon lifestyle, life’s basic needs have incorporated carriage rides, yoga classes and plenty of food.
A year on coupons tracked in Groupawn blog
Former corporate auditor Stevens accepted the Groupon challenge in May and left his cubicle behind. In an interview with CNN, he said he hit the road wearing a paper suit made of Groupons and carried nothing but the shoes socks and underwear he wore. Groupon gave him a laptop, camera, internet card and phone.Stevens cannot use or even touch cash, but he’s supplied with online coupons that can be used for lodging, dining and buying. He’s allowed only five visits from family and friends, with each visit lasting less than a day.He shares his experiences within the Groupawn blog as he uses Groupon coupons to barter for sustenance.
Groupon guy gains notoriety
Stevens gets a $ 100,000 windfall if he’s successful. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel talked with Stevens last weekend.He was hitting Milwaukee to take advantage of his latest Groupon deal. Stevens told the Sentinel he thought his travels would involve a lot more bartering on the streets. However, he said that once individuals hear about what he’s up to, they want to help.A little more than three months into his Groupons quest, he arrived in Milwaukee after chasing deals in several other cities including in New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C..
The Groupon business model – purchasing in
On the Groupon website, daily discounts from local merchants are offered for sale. About 11 million individuals in 165 markets subscribe to the Groupon site in 22 countries. The deal becomes valid when enough individuals buy in. When the quota is met, owners of the offer receive an email link that allows them to print their Groupon. The offer is pulled if the quota isn’t reached. If the offer is cancelled, the charges are voided.
Groupons could be a double-edged sword
The Groupon business model has been so successful that the Chicago Tribune said more than 500 Groupon clones have emerged online. But for a business seeking a windfall from Groupon coupons, the promotion can backfire . As reported in the Tribune, many Chicago merchants have been swamped by a tide of Groupon coupons. A Chicago bagel company’s Groupon promotion cost $ 3 for an $ 8 voucher good for any menu item. Groupon subscribers bought nearly 10,000 coupons. After splitting 50 percent of the revenue with Groupon, the standard deal for most businesses, the bagel shop netted about $ 15,000 for giving up $ 80,000 worth of food.
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CNN
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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
jsonline.com
Chicago Tribune
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