For a year, Josh Stevens says he will live on nothing but Groupons. The Groupon challenge is a dare the online coupon company made earlier this year. Groupon dared somebody to live off nothing but unlimited free Groupons for a year. Stevens went for 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. The necessities of life can contain yoga classes, carriage rides and lots of food in Stevens’ Groupon world.
Discount travel tracked on Groupawn blog
Former corporate auditor Stevens accepted the Groupon challenge in May and left his cubicle behind. CNN reports that he embarked on his quest with nothing but the shoes, socks and underwear he wore, covered by a paper suit made of Groupons. A laptop, camera, internet card and phone were also supplied by Groupon.Stevens isn’t allowed to use money, checks or credit cards, but he has all the online coupons a person could possible use. He must travel solo and only five visits from family or friends, lasting no more than a day, are allowed.As he barters his way across the country using Groupon coupons, his exploits could be reviewed in the Groupawn blog.
People warm to Groupawn guy’s quest
If Stevens completes the challenge, he wins $ 100,000. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel caught up with the Groupawn guy last weekend.He was hitting Milwaukee to take advantage of his latest Groupon deal. Stevens told the Sentinel that he thought he would have to do a lot more bartering on the street. However, he said that once individuals hear about what he’s up to, they want to help.He arrived in Milwaukee more than three months into his Groupons tour, which has taken him to New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and several other cities so far.
Buying to the Groupon business model
On the Groupon website, daily discounts from local merchants are offered for sale. About 11 million people in 165 markets subscribe to the Groupon site in 22 countries. When a certain number of people purchase, within the deal becomes valid. Offer holders are sent a link that prints out the Groupon when the quota is met. If the sales quota falls short, the offer is pulled. Buyers aren’t charged for cancelled offers.
Groupons can be a double-edged sword
The riches produced by the Groupon business model are so tempting that more than 500 imitators have sprouted up online. . As reported in the Tribune, many Chicago merchants have been swamped by a tide of Groupon coupons. A Groupon promotion launched by a Chicago bagel business sold an $ 8 voucher for any menu item for $ 3. Local subscribers to Groupon snapped up $ 10,000 coupons. The bagel shop netted about $ 15,000 on food that would have sold at a regular price of about $ 80,000, after splitting the take with Groupon.
Further reading
CNN
cnn.com
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
jsonline.com
Chicago Tribune
chicagotribune.com
