> So I wonder if the macro experiment was that something like Groupon would replace it those other forms of outreach. It's flawed as an experiment in reaching

> So I wonder if the macro experiment was that something like Groupon would replace it those other forms of outreach. It's flawed as an experiment in reaching people through new media because the price points are unsustainable. If you're offering a product or service that's at least marginally interesting at 70% off as a reward for booking through a certain channel, then some portion of the population is going to book through that channel no matter how cumbersome it is. In other words, if the deal is compelling enough, the channel doesn't really matter. What we're seeing is small businesses wising up to the fact that no, they're not going to get enough increased sales to account for the loss leading groupon. So they're moving back to the traditional 10-20% off 'deals', and the deal sites are taking a bath in the process.