The following is a bit strongly stated, but it is my considered opinion after observing (albeit passively) for some time. Generally speaking, businesses and th

The following is a bit strongly stated, but it is my considered opinion after observing (albeit passively) for some time. Generally speaking, businesses and the business environment thrive on a certain degree of stability and predictability. You compete, but you can count on certain fundamentals holding true enough to justify the risks you take. Groupon seems, particularly at the small business level, to represent the antithesis of that. Sell at a loss, because your neighbor will. Snake oil. The only "value added" is for Groupon itself. It represents the worst of contemporary culture. And its founders and principals may be in the process of "checking out", just like the one-time customers they generate.