Group deal websites: Are the deals too good to be true?

Yes, I know many of you (including me) out there love to purchase from group deal sites.

 Does Groupon sound familiar to you?

So.. Did you have a positive/negative experience or have a (horror) story to tell?

You know, one thing I don't like about Group deal sites is that it doesn't come with reviews.

And more often that not, you will have to end up Googling about this particular brand/company before proceeding to click on the "BUY" button.

If you haven't done so before, let me tell you this...

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CHECK OUT REVIEWS ONLINE BEFORE PURCHASING.

That is what I would always do, and 9/10 times it hasn't fail me.

There were times I researched on a particular deal and discovered the amount of complaints it received online - and yes, it made me feel lucky that I didn't purchase it on impulse.

ESPECIALLY HAIR DEALS. 

(Picture used for illustration purposes only.)

Most of them (I would not say ALL) are - mark my words- SUPER HARD-SELLERS. Personally, I feel that they are the most dishonest deals ever offered on group buy sites ANNDDD I am speaking from personal experience.

I remembered purchasing a deal coupon for hair perming services years back, and oh boy, was I stuck in an awkward position!

The hairdresser seemed to be persistent in persuading me to "upgrade" by topping up a huge amount of money for "better effects". She claimed that the one being offered on the deal site wasn't as effective.

LIKE WHAT THE HECK, right?

I have seen many other similar deals online posted by different salons, and discovered that MOST of them worked the same way.

You purchase the coupons, probably thinking that it's a good deal by paying $18 for $198 worth of hair services (Use your brain to think lah! Do you really think that they will make you walk out of their salon without topping up a single cent by using the coupon? You should expect some serious hard-selling coming your way.)

What's the point of you promoting it on the Group buy website then?

One sentence: If you can't afford to offer the deal, then don't freaking post it. It's considered an act of dishonesty by making your customer pay at a low price INITIALLY and then resort to pressurize them into paying more.

(I have read stories from customers that the hairdresser refused to work on their hair if they did not upgrade! How different is it from forcing people to their wits' end?)

That's HARD-SELLING or "hell-selling". Period.

Well, there ARE still customers who would die-die still not pay a single cent BUT end up having a difficult time at the salon. Don't expect tip top quality services if you didn't pay anything to top up. They will show you what is hell if you refuse to give in.

Basically, I would say that they are using Group deals as a decoy to "lure" customers into their store and talk them into paying more once you step into it.

After researching so much on salon-related deals, I would gladly say that I have given up totally on sourcing for such deals and head to a proper salon.

Trust me, a normal salon that doesn't offer Groupon deals will end up having better offers.

Don't believe? Try purchasing a deal yourself and let me know if you have a positive or negative experience.

Shoo! MLM Companies~

I have enough of MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) companies. Seriously. (And I am sure most people who have encountered them will agree with me on this one.)

Firstly, stop MISLEADING people into thinking that this is a profitable business. It's always interesting how many MLM employers have the SAME, or similar, speech. They would sound so convincing and boast about the rewards in this business (such as the company giving you a car, etc). You are just trying to target at what a normal human desires and "lure" them into joining you.

Secondly, stop being such a brainwasher hypocrite. I have friends who work in MLM companies and they are all putting on such a fake "nice" front. They would go on and on about how much they wanted to share this "great opportunity" with me, etc. OH, save it. I can clearly see what lies beneath your speech.
YOU ARE JUST BEING NICE TO YOUR FRIENDS BECAUSE YOU WANT THEM TO FORK OUT THEIR MONEY AND BE "UNDER" YOU, WHICH YOU WILL EARN COMMISSION FROM THEM.

If not for the sake of $$$$, will you even bother putting in so much effort in persuading your friends to join you?!

Let's face it. What's your main motive? Search for your own conscience and you will know if you are SINCERELY "sharing" this "great opportunity" with your friends. Furthermore, why would a friend whom I have lost contact for years suddenly got all close to me? (Yes, I have had "friends" whom would try to ask me out for dinner and sounding all innocent. But it was only in the later part of dinner that I was "introduced" this "great opportunity". Let's face it - This is a very practical world.

Thirdly, YOU just want more people to join because you will then earn back what you've invested in. (Come on, you are a victim yourself and now you are seeking for more victims?) Why are you trying to make use of your friends in earning moolah for yourself?

Of course, if you are a MLM employee and are reading this, you will feel the sense of injustice after reading this. BUT there is no deny that what I've mentioned above are true to an extent, isn't it?

 Although I would not say that MLMs are scams (because there are indeed SUCCESSFUL people who are in this business), but it is definitely MISLEADING.
Everything is made to sound so innocent, but yet what lies behind are motives, motives and motives. The process is ALWAYS like this:

- Coming across a job offer from websites which promises good pay (eg: earn up to 3-5K per month) just by "helping out with manager presentations" and "assistant".

- So you see a number and contacted the person-in-charge, whom sounded VERY thrilled to hear from you. He/she will then make an appointment with you for an "interview", and even offers to bring you to the location.

- After agreeing to meet with the person-in-charge, he/she will then bring you to a legit-looking company and make you meet some "colleagues" to share their success stories with you. Well, everyone is being VERY nice to you, and makes you feel so welcome that you are starting to see them as your family. (Duh)

- Here comes the brainwashing session whereby you will be psycho-ed into thinking everything is a profitable business. You will be convinced that you will be able to earn back what you invested in. They will give you such a firm assurance that you will feel its a regret not to take up this opportunity.

- After seeing that you are convinced but in a dilemma state, they will lure you into taking the first step. For some MLM companies, they will get you to pay the initial "membership" fee. As for the others, they will persuade you to take up their packages (which range from $100 - $1000 plus.), which you will then become their "official employee" and start selling their products. For each product sold, the friend whom had introduced you into this business earlier would earn a commission from your sales. To start earning your OWN commissions, you have to look for people to invest in the same business as you did, just so you can EARN after every sales they made. (Do you see the pattern now??)

-You will be told stories about how everyone is a family there who shares the same goal - earning money together. (Actually, all of you are just FEEDING on each other's $$$!)

- AND you are finally convinced and see them as your real friend. That's the time when you fork out your money, invest in this #(*&$# business, and that's it. You will probably have to start selling the things to your OWN family and friends (Pathetic much?). Of course, having a wide social circle helps, but you will be able to see all of your friends avoiding you in no time.

- It will then be the same cycle all over again. Soon, you will find yourself persuading people to join you in this business while bearing the motive at the back of your head that you can earn from them.


FACE IT. True friends will NEVER do this to you.
If every MLM business is so flawless, will there still be poor people in this world?

And I hate the fact that some MLM employees will deny the fact that they are working for an MLM company. It's so apparent that the strategy is working in the same way... Who are you kidding?

I noticed that most MLM employees are youngsters (some who are still in secondary schools, etc), and there are a few that boasted they are "managers". Well, ANYTHING YOU SAY. If you choose to believe that you are REALLY a manager, then so be it. *rolls eyes*

P/S: People from Venture Era, Premium Pure or whatever MLM companies will definitely hate me for this post. But I am just speaking the truth from my mind. I've seen and heard alot throughout the years. AND I HAVE ENOUGH.