Living Social's "strict return policy"

[Anonymous]

Just an FYI folks- Living Social apparently does not issue refunds even where a contractor will not return call or answer phone to schedule appointment or does not show up repeatedly. My DS was coughing, so the air duct cleaning voucher seemed great. The company would not answer or return messages 8 times to schedule. I then looked up on BBB and they had an F. I told living social that I didn't want the voucher as this is obviously a horrible company and would have thought they did some vetting before advertising. Customer service said they have a "strict refund policy" and that I should try emailing the cleaner. Seriously? As a "one-time courtesy" she said she would offer a LS credit for the amount. I said after hearing the policy, I was not happy with LS either. So, now I have to dispute through mastercard. When a fireplace cleaner advertised through Groupon didn't show up, I called and they issued a refund right away. I told this to LS and they said, they just have a stricter policy. So I'm done with living social. Still wary about Groupon merchants after the fireplace thing, but at least I know that if the merchant is crap at least groupon will work with me.

[Anonymous]

I had the same experience with a cleaning service back in the spring. LS is the pits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just an FYI folks- Living Social apparently does not issue refunds even where a contractor will not return call or answer phone to schedule appointment or does not show up repeatedly. My DS was coughing, so the air duct cleaning voucher seemed great. The company would not answer or return messages 8 times to schedule. I then looked up on BBB and they had an F. I told living social that I didn't want the voucher as this is obviously a horrible company and would have thought they did some vetting before advertising. Customer service said they have a "strict refund policy" and that I should try emailing the cleaner. Seriously? As a "one-time courtesy" she said she would offer a LS credit for the amount. I said after hearing the policy, I was not happy with LS either. So, now I have to dispute through mastercard. When a fireplace cleaner advertised through Groupon didn't show up, I called and they issued a refund right away. I told this to LS and they said, they just have a stricter policy. So I'm done with living social. Still wary about Groupon merchants after the fireplace thing, but at least I know that if the merchant is crap at least groupon will work with me.

I agree with you about the Groupon merchants. Have not had any luck with them. Guess there really are no free (very low cost) lunches. I am done with all these "discount" deals.

[Anonymous]

Good to know! Thanks for the heads-up!

[Anonymous]

Yes- and a lot of the vendors they sell coupons for suck- and that's why they're using the service to get more business (not the only reason, of course).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just an FYI folks- Living Social apparently does not issue refunds even where a contractor will not return call or answer phone to schedule appointment or does not show up repeatedly. My DS was coughing, so the air duct cleaning voucher seemed great. The company would not answer or return messages 8 times to schedule. I then looked up on BBB and they had an F. I told living social that I didn't want the voucher as this is obviously a horrible company and would have thought they did some vetting before advertising. Customer service said they have a "strict refund policy" and that I should try emailing the cleaner. Seriously? As a "one-time courtesy" she said she would offer a LS credit for the amount. I said after hearing the policy, I was not happy with LS either. So, now I have to dispute through mastercard. When a fireplace cleaner advertised through Groupon didn't show up, I called and they issued a refund right away. I told this to LS and they said, they just have a stricter policy. So I'm done with living social. Still wary about Groupon merchants after the fireplace thing, but at least I know that if the merchant is crap at least groupon will work with me.

Why would you think that? Do you think the Washington Post "vets" companies before allowing them to buy ad space?

I only ever buy LS or Groupon deals for business I already know and like. Random spa offering half-price massages? Hell no. Lovely little ethnic restaurant in my neighborhood that I go to with or without coupons? Sure. I have already "vetted" it, so I know it's ok. I would not trust a bunch of 22 year old would couldn't get into grad school or find better jobs (the entire staff of LS) to "vet" them for me.

[Anonymous]

I had one of those coupuns that come in the mail, and called for a quote to have my deck cleaned. When I showed my coupon I was told that the discount was already in the price
Lie

[Anonymous]

These deals just don't seem worth the hassle.My time is valuable so I don't want to be calling a company 8 times or fighting for refunds. I should add groupon and LS to the Things everyone else is into but you just don't get thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just an FYI folks- Living Social apparently does not issue refunds even where a contractor will not return call or answer phone to schedule appointment or does not show up repeatedly. My DS was coughing, so the air duct cleaning voucher seemed great. The company would not answer or return messages 8 times to schedule. I then looked up on BBB and they had an F. I told living social that I didn't want the voucher as this is obviously a horrible company and would have thought they did some vetting before advertising. Customer service said they have a "strict refund policy" and that I should try emailing the cleaner. Seriously? As a "one-time courtesy" she said she would offer a LS credit for the amount. I said after hearing the policy, I was not happy with LS either. So, now I have to dispute through mastercard. When a fireplace cleaner advertised through Groupon didn't show up, I called and they issued a refund right away. I told this to LS and they said, they just have a stricter policy. So I'm done with living social. Still wary about Groupon merchants after the fireplace thing, but at least I know that if the merchant is crap at least groupon will work with me.

Why would you think that? Do you think the Washington Post "vets" companies before allowing them to buy ad space?

I only ever buy LS or Groupon deals for business I already know and like. Random spa offering half-price massages? Hell no. Lovely little ethnic restaurant in my neighborhood that I go to with or without coupons? Sure. I have already "vetted" it, so I know it's ok. I would not trust a bunch of 22 year old would couldn't get into grad school or find better jobs (the entire staff of LS) to "vet" them for me.

Actually Groupon does very carefully vet the vendors that provide their deals. And as OP pointed out, Groupon stands behind their vendors and will provide a refund if the customer is not satisfied. There was a long article in the New Yorker about Groupon and how they do this a year or two ago -- very interesting. Not sure about Living Social though.

[Anonymous]

OP here: to 15:24, By their response, I am getting that LS does no vetting. They are riding the coat tails of Groupon's superior business model, but now I know (and want to share with others) that there is a key difference.

[Anonymous]

How about filing a complaint with your State Attorney General and the FTC? Crack down and shut them down.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info. I won't use LS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had the same experience with a cleaning service back in the spring. LS is the pits.

Was it bad service or not answering to schedule appt? If the merchants are not returning calls to schedule and trying to wait out the deal period and LS is not refunding, then that is potentially a civil conspiracy. If you, pp, return to this thread, please let me know what the problem was and I may consider reportint to the AG after all.

[Anonymous]

The cleaning companies pick up day laborers to do the voucher cleaning jobs!

[Anonymous]

I had a living social coupon for a cupcake place that went out of business and living social wouldn't give me the money back. I had to dispute it through my am ex. That was when I was done with them.