For a year, Josh Stevens says he will survive on nothing but Groupons. The Groupon challenge is a dare the online coupon business made earlier this year. Groupon put up $ 100,000 to see if someone was willing to live off nothing but Groupon coupons for a year. Stevens went for it. Travelling the country chasing Groupon promotions for his basic needs, he’s about a one-quarter through living his life as the “Goupawn”. In Stevens’ Groupon universe, those basics can contain carriage rides, yoga classes, boat cruises and lots of food.
Groupawn blog a tale of discount travel
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. 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 could be used for lodging, dining and purchasing. He has to go it alone, while family and friends are allowed only five visits lasting less than a day.He shares his experiences in the Groupawn blog as he uses Groupon coupons to barter for sustenance.
Groupawn guy goes after large money prize
. 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. He said people want to pitch in and help when he tells them about his adventures.A little more than 3 months into his Groupons quest, he arrived in Milwaukee after chasing specials in several other cities including in New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C..
Buying to the Groupon business model
On the Groupon website, daily discounts from local merchants are offered for sale. The site offers Groupon deals in more than 165 markets in 22 countries to 11 million subscribers. The deal becomes valid when enough individuals buy in. If the quota is reached, buyers get links to print out their Groupons. If the deal doesn’t fly, the offer is canceled. Buyers aren’t charged for trying to cash in.
Groupons can catch a business off guard
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 . Many Chicago merchants, the Tribune reports, have been burned by the scale of the response. A bagel business in Chicago sold a Groupon coupon for $ 3 good for any item up to $ 8. Groupon subscribers bought nearly 10,000 coupons. After selling about $ 80,000 worth of food, the bagel shop netted just $ 15,000 after splitting the proceeds with Groupon.
Additional reading
CNN
cnn.com
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
jsonline.com
Chicago Tribune
chicagotribune.com
