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Seeing foursquare specifically, but all of the LBS companies, crawl toward offering something of value to both businesses and consumers was the inspiration for

by jsm386 16y ago

Seeing foursquare specifically, but all of the LBS companies, crawl toward offering something of value to both businesses and consumers was the inspiration for GroupTabs, which we're launching in a couple of weeks. We looked at the popularity of group deals (ie Groupon and its hundred or so clones) and decided to wed checking in with group buying. So, if X number of people check in, everybody gets a group deal that they can redeem right that moment. I was planning on waiting until we launched to do a Show HN and ask for feedback, but after reading this post, I couldn't resist asking for feedback. I'd really love to hear it - you can find more info about what we're about to do @ http://press.grouptabs.com http://press.grouptabs.com Again, not trying to plug us, and was planning on waiting until we are live, but this discussion is just too relevant.

brianbreslin 16y ago
wouldn't you need crazy critical mass to unlock any deals this way? only places w/swarms would qualify. group buying/groupon style sales + checkins makes sense, but not sure if simultaneous checkins is the answer.
- jsm386 16y ago
  We're not trying to do massive deals. We're focusing on bars and restaurants, so the plan is to have deals that are 10 - 50 people typically, during a window of an hour or two. These places can't accommodate a giant swarm of people. We also want it to be that night - not something you redeem over say three months.
asmithmd1 16y ago
Sounds like you have a tough, double-ended sale. People will not use your app until there are some offers in their area and businesses will not make offers until...why would a business make an offer to people who are already IN their store? I think you could try this out with FourSquare's API. Monitor the number of people checked in at a venue and if it crosses your threshold add a tip to your venue with the offer. Bonus offer for people who friend the venue's bot.
- jsm386 16y ago
  We've considered both of those issues. People will not use your app until there are some offers in their area and businesses will not make offers until. We're working on building a userbase before launch in numerous ways. Traditional press, word of mouth, some other things. As for businesses making offers, we have a strong sales team with existing relationships with our target businesses. why would a business make an offer to people who are already IN their store? We are not targeting people who are already in the bar/restaurant. The idea is to drive people there who wouldn't go otherwise. We will check you in using foursquare api if you have a foursquare account, but you must check in with us/be registered with us. If you're say a foursquare user at the bar who checked in and happened to be there, no dice for you...because as you said, why would a business give an offer to people already there.

by jsm386 16y ago

brianbreslin 16y ago

wouldn't you need crazy critical mass to unlock any deals this way? only places w/swarms would qualify. group buying/groupon style sales + checkins makes sense, but not sure if simultaneous checkins is the answer.

jsm386 16y ago
We're not trying to do massive deals. We're focusing on bars and restaurants, so the plan is to have deals that are 10 - 50 people typically, during a window of an hour or two. These places can't accommodate a giant swarm of people. We also want it to be that night - not something you redeem over say three months.

asmithmd1 16y ago

Sounds like you have a tough, double-ended sale. People will not use your app until there are some offers in their area and businesses will not make offers until...why would a business make an offer to people who are already IN their store? I think you could try this out with FourSquare's API. Monitor the number of people checked in at a venue and if it crosses your threshold add a tip to your venue with the offer. Bonus offer for people who friend the venue's bot.

jsm386 16y ago
We've considered both of those issues. People will not use your app until there are some offers in their area and businesses will not make offers until. We're working on building a userbase before launch in numerous ways. Traditional press, word of mouth, some other things. As for businesses making offers, we have a strong sales team with existing relationships with our target businesses. why would a business make an offer to people who are already IN their store? We are not targeting people who are already in the bar/restaurant. The idea is to drive people there who wouldn't go otherwise. We will check you in using foursquare api if you have a foursquare account, but you must check in with us/be registered with us. If you're say a foursquare user at the bar who checked in and happened to be there, no dice for you...because as you said, why would a business give an offer to people already there.